No holiday for illegal fishers when school's out

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No holiday for illegal fishers when school's out
11 Aug 2014 - NSW DPI

Fisheries officers in north western NSW have again detected multiple offences of non-compliance whilst fishing during the winter school holidays, resulting in the issuing of penalty notices totalling over $11,000.

Department of Primary Industries Acting Director Fisheries Compliance, Tony Andrews, said many people took the opportunity to take a holiday in the region, but failed to follow the rules when out fishing.

"A number of people were apprehended for illegal fishing activity in the north west of the State, including along the Macintyre, Barwon, Gwydir and Namoi Rivers," Mr Andrews said.

"Recreational fishers need to remember that use of illegal fishing gear such as set lines, cast nets and drag nets is not permitted in NSW inland waterways.

"Several men were apprehended on the Barwon River near Collarenebri for illegally using and possessing a total of 77 set lines, which were used to catch Golden perch. The men were issued with penalty notices totalling $5,900.

"In a separate incident, a Queensland man was found in possession of a cast net and a 15 metre long drag net, both of which are illegal to use and possess in NSW. The man was issued penalty notices totalling $1,000."

Mr Andrews said a number of other people were apprehended for the illegal possession and use of prohibited fishing gear, known to pose a significant threat to native fish populations and other protected fauna in river systems.

A maximum of two attended fishing lines are permitted in inland waters, which must be within 50 metres of each other and in line of sight of the person using them.

The maximum penalty associated with the use and possession of illegal fishing gear such as drag nets and cast nets is $22,000 and/or imprisonment for six months.

The maximum penalty for the use of set lines range from $5,500 to $11,000.

"Fisheries officers patrol inland waterways regularly, and a simple fishing trip may turn into an expensive one if recreational fishers choose not to follow the rules," Mr Andrews said.

Fishers can purchase a NSW recreational fishing licence fee, and download a copy of the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide online

Anyone with any information about suspected illegal fishing should contact the Fishers Watch hotline on 1800 043 536 which is a 24/7 automated service or online.

Summary of illegal fishing activity:
Seven men from northern NSW and southern QLD were apprehended on the Barwon River near Collarenebri, and were found using and in possession of a total of 77 set lines and 29 Golden perch. The majority of the fish were taken illegally using the set lines, nine of which were below the minimum size of 30cm. Men at the site were issued penalty notices totalling $5,900.
A man from Goondiwindi, QLD, camping on the Macintyre Riverin NSW was apprehended and found to be in possession of one cast net and a 15 metre long drag net – both illegal to use and possess in NSW. The man was also in illegal possession of 13 rigged fishing lines. The illegal fishing gear was seized and the man was issued penalty notices totalling $1,000.
Two men and two juveniles from Gilgandra were apprehended using 23 set lines in the Barwon River. The illegal lines were seized in addition to one illegally taken golden perch and an additional 12 rigged set lines that were in the camp. The owner of the set lines was issued with penalty notices totalling $1,000.
Fisheries officers apprehended a man and a woman from Moree who were caught using 15 drift lines, also referred to locally as 'floaties', in the Gwydir River near Tyreel Weir. The drift lines were set over an estimated one kilometre section of the river. Officers seized the drift lines and a 28 pound Murray cod that had been taken on the drift lines. The man was issued with penalty notices totalling $1,200 and the woman was issued with penalty notices totalling $200.
Two men from Pittsworth, QLD were camping on the Macintyre Riverin NSW. Both men had failed to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee, and were found to be illegally using 20 set lines. The men were also in possession of two Murray cod that had been illegally taken using the set lines. The set lines and fish were seized and both men were issued penalty notices $800.
Fisheries officers apprehended a man from Baradine and a man from Coonabarabran for using 20 set lines in a lagoon off the Namoi River near Piliga. The men had their set lines spread over an estimated one kilometre section of the lagoon. The illegal lines were seized and each of the men were issued penalty notices totalling $600.
Two Tamworth men were found fishing in the total fishing closure that exists at Lake Keepit. Fisheries Officers seized the men's fishing gear which included fishing rods, reels and hand lines and the men were each issued with penalty notices totalling $700.
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