A MARYBOROUGH man has been fined $25,000 in the Maryborough Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to destroying marine plants and conducting unauthorised works in a declared Fish Habitat Area at Kalah Creek.
The defendant had previously been cautioned by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) over similar activities. After receiving a further complaint, QBFP executed a search warrant on the property. In addition to the fine, the court issued an enforcement order requiring restoration of the damaged mangroves.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol said mangroves are important environments for fish breeding and damaging these plants can impact fish stocks.
