Anglers at risk of fine for shark

8th January 2010

Two anglers who hooked a giant shark at Eenie Creek, Noosa may land themselves in hot water, with the catch deemed illegal by the state government.

The bull shark which was caught in Eenie Creek on December 27.

Contributed

Two anglers who hooked a giant shark at Eenie Creek, Noosa may land themselves in hot water, with the catch deemed illegal by the state government.

The giant bull shark, pictured, was almost double the legal size under a law put in force six months ago.

According to the new law, most sharks more than 1.5m in length may not be caught. Great whites, grey nurses, sawfish and speartooth sharks of any size may not be caught.

Mark Saunders, of Verrierdale, near Noosa, and his son James, 22, hooked the massive catch under the Eenie Creek Bridge on December 27.

Mr Saunders said he thought the shark weighed about 70kg and measured about 2.8m in length.

The one that didn’t get away could end up costing the angler up to $1000 if the department of primary industries and fisheries takes legal action – usually reserved for people deemed to be “flouting the law”.

Mr Saunders said he had no idea the law existed, but he said the shark was dead as the pair pulled it aboard.

“It was putting up a fight for about an hour and 20 minutes.”

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district manager Stephen Dunn said anglers needed to check their catch, and the law.

“Before anglers cast a line or lower a crab pot, they need to check the rules to make sure they are not fishing illegally,” Mr Dunn said.