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Subscriber only A MULTITUDE of much-needed restocking projects can be revitalised to improve fishing and the environment if a Queensland-wide freshwater permit is created. As experienced restocking official Garry Fitzgerald highlighted, his proposal would significantly bolster revenue but not cost recreational anglers any more money than they are currently paying to enjoy freshwater fishing. The Somerset and Wivenhoe Fish Stocking (SWFSA) president has spent months working on a plan to upgrade the current Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPP) to a Queensland Freshwater Fishing Permit (QFFP). Under the current guidelines since 2000, everyone aged 18 or over is required to purchase a SIPP to fish in 63 freshwater locations in Queensland. That covers 40 dams and 23 weirs.
A Fisheries Queensland blitz on illegal fishing in stocked freshwater impoundments has netted fines of almost $10,000, but CQ s contribution may surprise you. So far, 97 fisheries infringement notices with fines totalling $9717 have been issued Queensland-wide since the crackdown started in September. But Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Central Queensland district manager Peter Dixon revealed the CQ region had not contributed to the fines total. Mr Dixon said he was delighted with the high compliance rate from those using Central Queensland s stocked freshwater impoundments. Since July 1, only three offences were detected on these (CQ) impoundments, all of which were dealt with through the issuing of a caution notice, Mr Dixon said.