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
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