On Tuesday 6 September, a defendant was fined $628 and had to pay $81.09 in court costs.   The defendant appeared in the Devonport Magistrates Court on charges relating to whitebait. During the 2015 whitebait season the licenced angler took 4.5 kilograms of whitebait on one day from the Forth River. The Forth River was open during the 2015 whitebait season but 4.5kg is 2.5kg over daily bag limit. The defendant pleaded guilty.

The whitebait daily bag limit is 2kg.  We put this limit in place to look after the whitebait population which can be easily over-fished.  The 2016 whitebait season starts on Saturday 1 Oct and runs until Friday 11 November.  Check the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code for the 2016 whitebait waters.

Illegal fishing can hurt any fish population. Anyone who sees unusual or suspicious activity please get in touch with Stephen Hepworth, IFS Manager of Compliance and Operations on 0438 338 530. Even if you’re not sure, let us know and we’ll check it out.