During the past week the homes of 5 aquarium hobbyists in Queensland have
been raided by the Queensland FISH POLICE (The Fishing and Boating Patrol
Branch of the Department of Primary Industries) for selling aquarium fish
without a licence.
Officers of the Department raided a local Wholesaler and obtained copies of
invoices of fish sold to the Wholesaler by the above mentioned hobbyists.
Perhaps they (FISH POLICE) would be better employed trying to recapture the
Post Card Bandit who escaped from a maximum security jail recently and is
now terrorising Commonwealth Bank Employees instead of terrorising aquarium
hobbyists trying to make a few lousy dollars selling a few fish. Perhaps we
have underestimated the threat that these hobbyists pose to the general
population at large and State Government Coffers. Maybe its safer to grow
and sell Drugs as you have less chance of getting busted and you'll make a
lot more money!!!!
For Queensland readers take note that there is a State Election coming up
shortly and just think what the Opposition Party or Channel Nine's "Current
Affair" could do with this story. (In fact I've heard a rumor that the
Department has now been told to lay-off until after the next State Election)
I can see the headlines now :
"Police raid and seize unlicensed goldfish from home of 80 year old
Pensioner and Grandmother for selling an aging Gold Fantail Comet to local
Petstore so that she could buy a fresh loaf of bread for her supper.
Grandmother was last seen kicking and screaming as the Fish Police dragged
her off shackled in leg irons to the awaiting Paddy Wagon. Spokesperson for
the Fish Police said these people are a dangerous threat to our Society and
must be stopped".
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Adrian R. Tappin
"Home of the Rainbowfish"
http://www.ecn.net.au/~atappin/home.htm
http://www.angfa.org/rainbowfish/home.htm
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