Hooked a good catch? Know the possession limits

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure
The Honourable Craig Wallace
18/08/2011

Hooked a good catch? Know the possession limits

Whether they’re in your freezer or fresh off your hook, rules apply to the amount of fish you can have in your possession at any given time.

Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace and said possession and size limits applied to all recreational fishing catches in Queensland.

“A ‘possession’ or ‘bag’ limit refers to the total number of fish an individual can legally take and have in their possession at any one time – it does not apply on a per-day basis,” Mr Wallace said.

“This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in your freezer at home, camp site or in your caravan,” he said.

Possession limits for commonly caught Townsville species are:

  • Mud crab – Bag limit of 10
  • Whiting (sand, goldline and northern) – Combined bag limit of 30
  • All coral trout – Combined bag limit of 7
  • Large and small-mouth nannygai – Combined bag limit of 9

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer Robert Ibell said these limits were in place in Queensland to ensure sustainable recreational fishing for the future.

“It’s important that recreational fishers practice ethical and responsible behaviour when using a limited natural resource,” he said.

“Possession limits aim to conserve heavily exploited species and to conserve those that are susceptible to capture.

“They also allow catches to be shared more equitably amongst fishers and reduce the illegal marketing of fish.”

Check out the recreational fishing rules and regulations at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Latest fisheries information is also on Twitter – www.twitter.com/fisheriesQLD or on Facebook under Fisheries Queensland.

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