Christmas in the Boat

As we quickly approach the pointy end of the silly season, it is prudent to remind clients and readers of the importance to stay safe and sensible if they intend on taking the boat for a run or the kids for a fish over the Christmas Holidays.

As a quick recap,we believe that it is important that our maritime inclined readership brush up on the following rules and regulations:

1. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning – where you can and cannot fish. Copies of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Maps are available from all good fishing and boating retailers. Alternatively, electronic copies of all of the relevant maps are available at the following website – https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/access/zoning/zoning-maps It is important that you have a copy of the Zoning Map close to hand to make sure you are not inadvertently fishing where you should not be.
2. Safety gear and boat maintenance – before dropping your boat in the water ensure that you check your expiry dates on your perishable items of safety equipment such as your EPIRB and flares and that the rest of the safety equipment complies with the requirements for the areas in which you intend to travel. It is also important to ensure that simple things like your battery is free from corrosion and you have given your motor a run in the backyard before heading to the ramp. A quick check over before heading out could save you an embarrassing tow trip home.  A list of fishing gear is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/equipment
3. Ensure you brush up on your rules and regulations regarding fish sizes and bag limits. Once again an up-to-date list of size and bag limits can usually be found at all good boating and fishing retailers. In the alternative, a comprehensive list is available at https://www.daff.qld. gov.au/fisheries/recreational/rulesregulations/size-possessionlimits-tidal.
4. Another popular fishing activity at this time of the year is chasing the delicious Mud Crab. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the identification requirements for your crab pots or crab dillies. A quick refresher for this can be found at the following website:- https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/limits-tidal

By carrying out half an hour of “checks” before you jump in your boat and refreshing your memory in relation to the green zones, size limits and bag limitsfor fish you can avoid the possibility of expensive fines over the Christmas Period.