In the zone: Mat Golding snapped fishing, and (right) with a colleague. Source: The Courier-Mail
Mat Golding. Source: The Cairns Post
A DOLPHIN researcher is at the centre of a federal-state government wrangle over red tape after being caught fishing from a conservation boat in the middle of a Great Barrier Reef green zone.
Mat Golding was working as a research assistant for Queensland's James Cook University counting snubfin dolphins as part of a project to protect the species when he decided to go fishing.
But Mr Golding was in the middle of a green zone - strictly off-limits to all fishing - within the Great Barrier Reef marine park at the time.
Queensland marine park inspectors caught Mr Golding fishing from research vessel "Snubby" in Shepherd Bay off Hinchinbrook Island on February 27, according to an incident report.
The research vessel was joint-funded by conservation organisation WWF and fishing exporter Tassal.
When "Snubby" was unveiled last month, a media release stated it would be put to work immediately on a $43,000 mission to "help protect our oceans in the future".
The launch was just three weeks before Mr Golding was sprung illegally "trolling" for fish in the green zone.
An investigation has been launched by JCU, with a spokesman saying it was "very embarrassed" by the incident given the university's strong stance on protecting the environment.
The spokesman said the vessel's GPS had not been set to display green zone boundaries at the time, but should never have been used for fishing in any case.
While fishing in the green zone carries a $1770 penalty, it can be revealed Mr Golding is yet to be fined more than a month later, with the Newman Government blaming federal "green tape".
Because Mr Golding was caught within Commonwealth waters, state marine park inspectors have no authority to issue an on-the-spot fine, despite having a delegated authority to patrol the marine park. It is understood Mr Golding is yet to be interviewed by federal authorities.
He was unable to be contacted by The Sunday Mail.
State National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said the delay was the "height of hypocrisy" given Canberra's criticism of the state's management of the Reef.
"Our marine rangers do an outstanding job and it's frustrating that what should have been a simple case of handing over a fine has turned into a taxpayer-funded episode of Yes Minister," Mr Dickson said. "Labor have tied themselves up in green tape, and it's the Great Barrier Reef which is being strangled."
WWF chief Dermot O'Gorman said he was "shocked and disappointed" that a James Cook University employee had allegedly misused the dolphin research boat.
A Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority spokeswoman said the time taken to consider the matter was within the standard time.
kelmeny.fraser@news.com.au
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