FISHERIES Minister Mark Furner has warned that technology like drones was making it harder for people to hide illegal fishing activities.
His warning comes as a man was fined $6000 after being caught with undersized and protected crabs, a shovel nosed ray and non-compliant gear at Mud Island in Moreton Bay.
Mr Furner said the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol used technology, including surveillance cameras, to uncover illegal activities.
"We also recently deployed drones as part of our compliance enforcement effort, making it even harder for people to hide illegal activities," he said.
Mr Furner said the man caught at Mud Island had 28 undersized blue swimmer crabs, two of which were protected females, and none of his crab pots were properly marked.
The man - who also had his crab pots seized - pleaded guilty to all charges in the Southport Magistrates Court.
"This sort of disregard for our rules has a serious impact on an important community resource and the livelihoods of the commercial sector this fishery supports," Mr Furner said.
"All fishers need to understand the regulations and requirements around size limits and the proper marking of crab pots. Otherwise, you will be caught and you will go to court.
"Tough enforcement is vital to building a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren."
Lytton MP Joan Pease said every recreational and commercial fisher shared the responsibility for responsible fishing.
"It is not just fishing at stake here," she said. "It is the thousands of jobs that rely on the commercial and recreational fishing industries that we need to protect."
For information on Queensland's fishing regulations, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free Qld Fishing app from Apple and Google app stores.
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