The fish,estimated to be about one-metre long,was speared off the rock wall at Amity Point on Tuesday.
An image shared by Dr Daryl McPhee of one of three men alleged to have illegally speared and killed a protected species of groper at Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island.Bond University
Bond University marine biologist Dr Daryl McPhee shared images of one of the men with the dead fish,obtained by a staff member who was present at the scene.
“My opinion is that the three people involved didn’t know that the animal was protected,” McPhee toldBrisbane Times.
“But at the same time,if you’re going to kill something,the onus is on you to know what that animal is.
“This is a marine park,you can’t just have people shooting and killing animals and asking questions later.”
With a gentle and curious disposition,gropers are the largest bony reef-dwelling fish in the world,growing to almost three metres,and are listed as a protected species in Queensland.
“Every real fisherman knows that spearing a groper is illegal,” McPhee said.
“They are a very large fish,[and are protected] because they can be fished out of an area very,very quickly.
“They’re particularly vulnerable to spearfishing because,simply,they’re a large fish sitting on the bottom[of the ocean].”
While the alleged incident occurred in a location of the Moreton Bay Marine Park where spearfishing is allowed,McPhee said the incident had outraged the local fishing and conservation communities.
Bond University marine biologist Dr Daryl McPhee said Queensland gropers are an iconic species and have been protected “for a very long time”.Bond University
“People I have been pulling off the side of the street[on North Stradbroke Island] are concerned about it,” McPhee said.
The alleged spearing has been reported to the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fisheries said they were investigating and had already received helpful information from members of the public.
“We need to be thinking about ways to ensure there are no excuses,” McPhee said.
“There needs to be extra focus on educating spearfishers. They need to know the law ... before they jump in the water and kill something.”
Another protected species,the blue groper,.
The fish,known locally as “Gus”,was estimated to be about 40 years old and familiar to many of the area’s regular divers.
“These days,it’s not only the monetary fines,it’s the shame and embarrassment that people are put through after they’ve committed such an act,” McPhee said.
“I’ve seen[the groper speared off Amity Point] in that spot several times before.
“They can be inquisitive but they’re mostly just minding their own business.”
McPhee urged the men involved in the incident to do the right thing and hand themselves into the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
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