tilapia confusion

[kmetius]

Hi I just got ahold of the rec fishing in qld booklet and i am a little confused about tilapia. It says you can't release them into the water, use as bait or have in your posession. however i have seen numerous people including in some photos on this site have them in their posession. so i guess my question is if i catch them what should i do? also are they good eating?

[Feral]

Yeah, by law you have to chuck them up the bank above the highest water mark and leave them to rot. Obviously if your in a boat you have to hold on to them until you hit shore.

A Lot of blokes do take them home as they are good eating. There is a good chance fisheries would do you if they caught you with them in your possession. If they were iced down in the esky, you might get away with it if they were in a good mood.

The problem is the babies can live for a long time in the mouth after the parent is dead, and could inadvertently end up in another water stream.

[kmetius]

Ok thanks if i get any i might keep one hidden under all the beer and try it lol but the rest are dead

[Oztrav]

if you catch em eat em if you get caught sorry