He who alleges...must prove.
He who alleges...must prove.
Some of these Fishing Inspectors are in another world. Many years ago my father and I were fishing at night in Botany Bay and caught our limit of Tailor. At the ramp we were met by Fisheries inspectors that were sitting in a vehicle and asked us to show our catch.
As we had nothing to hide we opened our Esky and they counted and measured our fish. He then asked us where the rest of the catch was to which we replied this is it. This one inspector then stated that he wanted to search the boat as he he suspected we had hidden more fish.
He then proceeded to pull out all the life jackets from the front cabin locker, lifted up the covers on the bait tank, engine cover - it was a stern drive, all the articles in the side drawers and then tried to pull up the front floor section. Satisfied he then said we could go.
My old man then sparked up and said - after you put back all the stuff you pulled out and left all over the place. This he refused to do saying it was not his job to put stuff back. For a moment I thought the old man was going to clock him so I said can we ring the cops or his boss and have to talk to him about it. The inspector then lost it and started saying I can take you boat and car. I then pulled out the old Nokia and pretended I was calling the cops.
His mate then piped up and said they would put the gear back and then proceeded to do so.
As stated previously, I have no problem with them doing their job but accusing people of being criminals and acting like the Gestapo wins no friends and does little to lift their image with the community.
I will let you know how my mate gets on when he goes to court
I have had dozens of encounters with Fisheries over the last 50 years of Professional fishing, Processing and recreational fishing and I have Never been Busted or had a disagreeable encounter with them in all that time.
The people are only doing their job protecting the industry and our recreational fish stocks for us.
Maybe it's just an "attitude" thing when I encounter them that I havent had any dramas with them [bigwhistle]
Bagging the Fisheries as a whole isn't helpful.
A shore based surveillance could easily photograph the use of fishing gear (or not) at a couple of kilometresQuote:
Originally Posted by Chenz
The saga continues. He wrote a letter stating all the fact and received a terse response saying no leniency and the charge will stand. He therefore has to lose a days pay, drive from Sydney to Port Stephens and have the matter dealt with in court
Well if he wins - claim the costs.
bloody hell Trout , I agree with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by trout1105
I don't want this to happen too often.....ok?
Chenz, it's almost the same as a photographed road infringement. If they have the photo etc, you have to defend not the other way around.
Some of the cameras are very powerful and very accurate. I have seen one in qld and it can tell the colour of your nostril hairs at about 5km.
Not knowing about stowage and derigging in a Marine Park is your problem, they don't accept that you may not have read the rules and they are empowered to apprehend rule breakers.
You have probably got the rough end of the pineapple here.
I meet up with inspectors regularly in my role and they are decent guys.....if boaties have slightly undersize fish (their test, not yours) and they are alive they will often let them put the fish back and give them a warning.
All is Good Mate, I would think that we would agree on Many things [thumbsupbig]Quote:
Originally Posted by ramblingboy42
...wrong....it's the same as a speeding camera....if you want your day in court , don't pay the fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordie