A COMMERCIAL fisherman has been given a slap on the wrist after his third offence fishing in a Great Barrier Reef Green Zone resulted in a $10,000 fine.
According to a report in the Gladstone Observer, the commercial reef line fishing dory operator’s vessel was detected by surveillance aircraft at Swains Reef.
Swains Reef National Park lies some 250km north east of Gladstone and is rarely visited by anyone except the few live-aboard charter operators that venture out there.
The Gladstone Magistrates Court heard that the operator had two prior convictions for illegal fishing in a no-take Green Zone in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Reports of suspected illegal activity can be made anonymously to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority by calling the 24-hour hotline on 1800 380 048 or on the website.
