It’s the responsibility of all anglers to respect the rights of other anglers and freshwater recreational users. Preventing other boating anglers from using a boat ramp at a public inland water is not only disrespectful behaviour, it is prohibited by law and may cost the perpetrator more than a social rebuff by fellow anglers.

Under Section 140 of the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, a person must not place or leave unattended anything that obstructs or is likely to obstruct a public boat launching ramp adjacent to any inland waters; or the access to or from a public boat launching ramp adjacent to any inland waters. The penalty for doing so, may result in a fine of up to $650.

So please, think again and think of others when using the boat launching and car parking facilities at our inland waters. Fishing is about having fun, so don’t spoil the experience for someone else by selfish behaviour like parking for the day on the boat ramp!