Careless boaties have roughly used the waterways of Queensland and badly affected the Hervey Bay pearl farm business. The farm is losing valuable crops and infrastructure. Queensland boaties are reminded to respect all water users, including aquaculture farmers, by obeying markers and ensuring mapping systems are up to date.
According to the advice issued by Fisheries Queensland and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) strict measure should be taken to help prevent any further losses of valuable stock as a result of continued interference by boats. Fisheries Queensland Aquaculture Manager Kerrod Beattie said these incidents were highly damaging financially.
Beattie told that the rough of waters by the boaties are due plain carelessness and show a complete disregard for other users of the area. He added that Queensland waters are a desirable place to be and users are a diverse mix including bathers, boaties, aquaculture farmers, fishers, divers and more.
He also said that regulations are in place for the safety of vessels, the marine environment, and all water users alike. It is an offence to unlawfully interfere with an aquaculture activity, with a maximum fine of $50,000 in Queensland. Maritime Safety Queensland has marked aquaculture fisheries resources on its boating safety charts and in Beacon to Beacon.
