Warnings over fish deaths

Three youths from Ardiyooloon have received written warnings after breaking into the community’s aquaculture centre and killing several prized fish.

The juveniles, aged between 11 and 13, crawled under a perimeter fence and broke into the Trochus Hatchery and Aquaculture Centre at Ardiyooloon (One Arm Point) on January 16.

They stole around seven barramundi including a 10kg mangrove jack. About 20 fish were also found scarred. The stolen fish were found dead next to their tanks and outside the perimeter fence.

Senior Sergeant Neville Ripp said the incident had been devastating for the community.

“It’s very disappointing because it’s their centre,” he said. “It brings in money from tourism.”

Sen. Sgt Ripp said the prized mangrove jack had been reared, tamed and nurtured by volunteers for six years.

The 20 scarred fish were believed to have been speared by the youths, but were expected to recover.

Volunteers had said they could not put a value on the stolen fish because the time and effort spent on looking after them was priceless.