Alleged fish poachers fined during comp in 'blatant' cheating attempt

Authorities have fined four people in a fishing competition after they were caught allegedly taking fish from a protected area.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said the group was caught fishing illegally in a no-take zone in the southern Capricorn Bunker Group during a competition late last week.

Compliance officer Owen Witt said the group was intercepted during a targeted night patrol off Bundaberg.

"This wasn't just illegal fishing. It was a blatant attempt to cheat fellow competitors out of prizes," Mr Witt said.

"No prize is worth poaching for."

He said the group was fined roughly $14,500 and could face legal prosecution.

"There is no excuse … if you're entering a fishing competition, you should be checking zoning before you leave the boat ramp," Mr Witt said.

He alleged the catch was intentional, as the group were about 10 nautical miles inside the green zone at 10pm.

"[They were] defiant … just trying to back-pedal," he said.

"They were fishing for reef fish that you catch at night … that you can enter into a fishing comp.

"Like grass sweetlip, redthroat emperor, red emperor, large-mouth Nannygai, all those sorts of demersal species that are vital to reef health too."

As the matter was still under investigation, Mr Witt said the authority could not release any identifying details for the four people.

He said it was not clear if the group were taking part in a fishing competition in Bundaberg or Hervey Bay, and that would form part of the investigation, as well as body-worn camera footage from officers.

Top prizes for both competitions ranged from two nights accommodation on an island, to $1,000 cash and equipment worth up to $2,000.

"We know that green zones do hold bigger fish, so there is a want to go there by a limited number of people."

What are the rules?

Marine national park zones or "green zones" are protected areas of the ocean where fishing, including crabbing, spearfishing, and trolling, is strictly forbidden.

The penalty for fishing or collecting in these zones increased on July 1 this year, with the fine now $3,640.

However, the authority said fishers could travel through a green zone with caught fish on board — if the catch was taken outside the zone and all fishing gear was stowed out of the water.

Mr Witt said about two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park remained open to some form of fishing.

But he said the Capricorn Bunker Group was one of the most important climate refuges on the southern Great Barrier Reef.

"Taking fish from a no-take zone shows a complete disregard for the rules, the reef and the fishing community," he said.

Officers had increased their attention recently after using helicopters to catch a "few" boats fishing in the area during the day.

"[But] they're evading us, they're cutting their lines and leaving," Mr Witt said.

He said the alleged illegal activity often depended on weather conditions, which were "magic" late last week during the school holidays.

The reef authority recommends fishers check zoning using the available and free mobile apps, zoning maps, or compatible GPS and chart plotter zoning layers.

Email address