Chris Thompson, Lawyer / Director at Law Essentials joins Eric from QSIA (Queensland Seafood Industry Association) for discussions focused on the interpreting of fisheries legislation by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
White Spot Class Action – Chris Thompson
May 20, 2021
Chris Thompson shares an overview of the White Spot class action. Deadlines apply to join this class action. Learn about the White Spot Class Action
If you have any questions you can contact Chris at email chris@lawessentials.net.au or mobile 0409 517 587.
For more information visit Law Essentials: White Spot Class Action
Fisheries regulations with Chris Thompson
May 5, 2021
A slightly longer discussion with Chris Thompson from Law Essentials. The issue we discuss today is regulations regarding where we can land our catch.
This legislation is an answer to a problem that does not exist. As industry we have been forced to adopt vessel tracking like convicted criminals. In this circumstance, why the need for a change in the location we land our catch?
Potential concerns for commercial fishers in include: safety issues (weather and fatigue) and increased operating expenses (fuel and damage to catch). The safety issues raised in the podcast are unacceptable as is the conflict of State regulations that seem to (1) contravene State fisheries legislation and (2) national vessel safety legislation.
The situation created by poorly thought through legislation could endanger commercial fishers and crew and generate so much extra expenses that the longevity of our businesses are at stake.
Recording conversations and the QBFP
March 27, 2021
This podcast focussed on previous information provided to commercial fishers regarding the recording of interactions with QBFP (Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol) officers.
Discussing harassment and Queensland commercial fisheries with Chris Thompson
March 26, 2021
The following questions were posed to Chris:
- What constitutes a complaint for harassment?
- Can fishers take individual officers to task? Many commercial fishers are receiving visits daily or 2 to 3 nights a week asking the same questions.
Interpreting Fisheries Legislation with Chris Thompson
March 25, 2021
The following questions were posed to Chris:
- Impounded product – is the department responsible for keeping this product in the condition for sale once the investigation is completed?
- Now with harvest license and the fishing licenses being combined and now classified as a Primary vessel license can a fisher use an apparatus e.g. cast net without a boat?
- Can a fisher challenge the validity of measurements of the patrol on the water by GPS?
- The fisheries amendment of 2019 length of a netting apparatus describes the net as the total length of the apparatus and its equipment A recent case a fisher was breached for his net length (measured by GPS) some extra 16mtrs measured from anchor point to anchor point. the fisher had a third party in this case measure the apparatus aperture laid out taught on the ground with a tape measure it was found to be 45.7mtrs. Industry has traditionally interpreted that the equipment was the ropes chains etc and that the aperture was fixed to. We now find that QBFP (Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol) are claiming that ropes chains and anchors used to fix a net is the total length of the net, is this the case?