Gold Coast fisho`s Reminder of Closed Waters

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Taken from Fishing World email newsletter

24 Oct 2013

FISHOS on the Gold Coast are being reminded to stay out of areas closed to fishing, or risk a fine.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Philippa Newton said a number of fishers had been fined recently after they were found fishing in closed waters.

“There are six declared fish habitat areas (FHA) on the Gold Coast – Jumpinpin, Pimpama, Coomera, Tallebudgera and Coombabah,†Ms Newton said.

“Three of these areas – Jumpinpin, Pimpama and Coombabah – have areas within their boundaries that are declared closed waters which mean they are no fishing zones.

“These areas include McCoys Creek, Duck or Never Never Creek, Swan Bay, Freshwater Creek, Coombabah Lake, Coombabah Creek including fishing around the Coombabah Creek Gold Coast Highway overpass.

“Any form of fishing in closed waters can result in a $440 on-the-spot fine or a maximum penalty of $110,000.

Ms Newton said the closed waters were in place to manage the sustainability of the fishery.

“These areas may be where a population of endangered or threatened species lives, where fish congregate for spawning, or where fish may mass or get trapped and be susceptible to overfishing,†she said.

"If you see someone fishing in one of these areas, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116."

For the latest closure information including boundaries, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Moreton Bay Marine Park Green zones can be found here:
/>http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/moreton-bay/zoning/pdf/marine-park-user-guide.pdf