Barrage fish ban flouted

A man uses a cast net about 10 metres from the Fitzroy Barrage. The other man was fishing within 100 metres of the barrage.

Allan Reinikka

ILLEGAL fishing near the Fitzroy River barrage continues - and it comes as no surprise to Rockhampton Regional councillor Stephen Schwarten.

Cr Schwarten has been lobbying for a fence to be constructed to stop people getting into the area on the southern side of the river.

When The Bully told him it had photographed two men yesterday - one with a cast net within 10 metres of the barrage and the other fishing within 100 metres, around 4pm - Cr Schwarten said they were putting their own lives at risk.

He said with the barrage gates open, the risk of drowning increased.

He said he wasn't surprised as people thought they could avoid the law.

"There's no excuse for it," he said.

"Surely they can read the signs. I certainly will be doubling my efforts to bring it to a halt."

Cr Schwarten had previously said it was unAustralian to take fish out of the river before the fish had a fighting chance.

"There's certainly no skill in just casting a net over the fish and reeling them in."

Cr Schwarten said there would be a fence put up, after consultation with neighbours.

Council confirmed all 18 gates of the barrage were open at the time.