QUEENSLAND authorities have issued a fresh reminder about the importance of doing the right thing on the water after the discovery of an illegal net containing several large dead fish at the mouth of a river in South East Queensland.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers were alerted to the unattended mesh net by a concerned member of the public.
The net was unmarked, homemade, and anchored at one end.
It featured 155mm mesh – a configuration not permitted for recreational use – and was found to be unlicensed and illegal.
When officers retrieved the net, they discovered several large dead cobia, along with live mud crabs which were released back into the water.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said the incident was a reminder of the damage illegal fishing gear could do to marine life and the broader ecosystem.
This kind of unlawful activity not only results in the waste of valuable fish stocks but also undermines efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries for the future.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal fishing activity to Fishwatch on 1800 017 116.
Reports can be made anonymously.
