mrsswordfisherman Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 FISHERIES OFFICERS SEIZE GEMFISH HAUL A recreational fisherman found allegedly exceeding the boat and bag limits for Gemfish has had his boat, motor, trailer and fishing gear seized at Port Botany. The seizure was made during a compliance operation by NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Fisheries officers targeting suspected illegal fishing from boats landing at the southern Sydney Foreshore Road Boat Ramp. ... DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said the man was intercepted by fisheries officers and a commercial quantity of Gemfish was found on the boat. “The man initially admitted to officers he had three Gemfish in the kill well of the vessel. “However, upon further inspection, fisheries officers unearthed another 39 Gemfish weighing 159.7 kilograms in a compartment under the deck of the vessel, the lid of which was screwed down,” said Mr Tully. The six-metre boat, motor and trailer with an estimated value of around $50,000 were seized as well as 40 of the Gemfish (or 20 times over the bag limit) and all fishing gear on the boat, including 52 pre-rigged lines and hooks and an electric reel. The man was allowed to keep his legal bag limit of two Gemfish. “Gemfish are listed as a priority species under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. It is an offence for a person to possess a commercial quantity of a priority species, which is five for Gemfish. “Anyone found guilty of these offences face significant fines and may lose their vessel or equipment as a result,” said Mr Tully. Anyone who suspects illegal activity should call the Fishers Watch number on1800 043 536 or report online at www.dpi.fisheries.nsw.au/compliance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overdraft Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I'm still surprised people can be so stupid but I guess you don't need a brain to have a boat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyons90 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Hope the scumbag doesn't see his boat and gear again! Auction it and proceeds to the management of fisheries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 (edited) Hi All, Just out of curiosity what do you reckon the commercial value of 159Kg of Gemfish would be? I am only guessing but It would have to dress down to say half of that in fillets so we are down to 80 kg. Not sure what wholesale rates are but I think a good gemfish retail price is $20 a kilo so let say $10 a kilo. That looks like $800 bucks to me less fuel to and from Browns where I assume it was. Man, aside from the fact that its illegal and morally wrong it seems an awful risk for $800 bucks less costs. Beggars belief really! Edited August 16, 2016 by fragmeister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 No matter what the worth or cost, it's illegal so good on fisheries for putting a stop to his illegal haul. Too many people out there doing the wrong thing! It deserves the full force of the law! Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellzy94 Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Heard about this not long ago, it's a shame that some people have no regard for the rules. Glad he got caught! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 No matter what the worth or cost, it's illegal so good on fisheries for putting a stop to his illegal haul. Too many people out there doing the wrong thing! It deserves the full force of the law! Cheers scratchie!!! Can,t agree more Sratchie, just trying to understand what motivates people to do something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saboo Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Restaurants by them.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Restaurants by them.......... That makes sense. Thanks Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cargo05 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Seems tough, but we either know or should know the bag and size limits. Given that the additional compartment was concealed, and screwed down, it would appear that the offender knew he was doing the wrong thing. Same old story. If we continue to remove large quantities of fish stock there will be nothing left for future generations. It would appear that he got what he deserved. Fisheries and maritime officers are generally decent blokes, enforcing mainly sensible laws and regulations, but it must often be a thankless task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Can,t agree more Sratchie, just trying to understand what motivates people to do something like that. Greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven22512251 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 The water police got another boat today at the foreshore boat ramp. With a couple of gemfish that were being confiscated as I turned up. Unsure of how many they got done for but it's great to see the cops out there checking boat as they coming in. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscarthebeagle Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Great to see them enforcing the rules, hope they catch more of the scum. I have only fished browns a few times but last time we fished it I noticed boats deep dropping as we trolled past, same boats still there hours later when we had a drop. We caught our bag limit of gemfish in two drops went and cubed for a couple of hours and came back past to a few of the same boats still there. Hate to think how many they kill for the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Well the fisheries people are right onto this now and they will stop the rot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyfox Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 It is a shame to all us weekend warrior fishos that some people, cannot play by the rules like the rest of us, wether it is greed, selling fish on, or ignorance of the fishing rules and bag limits. In the end it all comes back on us all, either by reduced bay limits, no taking of a spieces, or closed fishing grounds. I for one want there to be plenty of fish around, not just for now but for the future, so fishos in generations from now can enjoy going out and catching a feed and have a fishing tale to tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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