7FUse of drift lines

7F Use of drift lines

7F Use of drift lines

(1) The holder of a line fishing endorsement must not, for the purpose of taking fish in the fishery, use a drift line to which is attached—

(a) more than 1 hook unless each hook is part of a gang of hooks, or

(b) more than 1 gang of hooks, or

(c) a gang of hooks that comprises more than 5 hooks, or

(d) another drift line.

(2) The holder of a line fishing endorsement must not, for the purpose of taking fish in the fishery, use more than 30 drift lines at any one time.

(2A) The endorsement holder must not, for the purpose of taking fish in the fishery, use a drift line unless its position is indicated by a buoy, float or similar device attached to the line that—

(a) measures not less than 100 mm in all dimensions, and

(b) has a height above the water of not less than 50 mm, and

(c) displays the relevant fishing business number followed by the letter “D”, in clearly visible letters and figures that are not less than 50 mm in height and are of a colour that contrasts with that of the buoy.

(3) It is a condition of an endorsement that the endorsement holder does not contravene this clause.

(4) In this clause—

gang of hooks means a group of hooks, each of which is attached to, and in direct contact with, at least 1 other of those hooks.

line fishing endorsement means a line fishing western zone endorsement or a line fishing eastern zone endorsement.

Note—

Section 25 of the Act also makes it an offence for a person to be in possession of any fishing gear in, on or adjacent to any waters if the use by that person of that fishing gear for taking fish from those waters is, at that time, prohibited by or under the Act.