Easter fishers caught on the hop

[Member]

Easter fishers caught on the hop
08 Apr 2013
Easter fishers have been congratulated for doing the right thing, with the majority of anglers checked found to be fishing according to the rules, DPI Acting Director Fisheries Compliance, Tony Andrews, said today.

"DPI Fisheries Officers were out and about across the State conducting compliance operations over the four day Easter break, with more than a thousand fishers checked in the inland waters of NSW," Mr Andrews said.

"In the North West zone, including the Macquarie River, the McIntyre River and a number of notified trout waters across the New England, Peel, Macquarie and Central Tablelands regions, 441 anglers were checked.

"Thirty-eight of those were found in breach of various fisheries regulations, including failure to have a recreational fishing fee licence and illegal fishing by various methods.

"Two men were apprehended for having 20 set lines in the McIntyre River, upstream of Yetman and face penalties of using more than two hand held lines and leaving lines unattended in inland waters.

"Meanwhile, a man found fishing in the Gwydir River upstream of Bingara, was found in possession of a gill net and another man in possession of a prohibited size Murray cod."

Officers patrolling the Macquarie River near Dubbo also apprehended a man using set lines to take protected eel tailed catfish.

Officers also conducted inspections of 8 restaurants and mobile seafood vendors in the New England region, with one restaurant found to be in possession of 20 blacklip abalone and various other finfish, without the necessary documentation.

Fisheries officers seized a variety of fish and illegal fishing gear including 68 set lines, 4 fish traps, 9 yabby traps, 3 shrimp traps and 1 gill net.

In the South West Zone, a total of 933 fishers were checked by fisheries officers with 85 persons not complying with the fishing rules and regulations.

"A total of 51 penalty notices will be issued for a variety of offences including not purchasing or carrying the recreational fishing fee receipt while fishing, possess prohibited size fish, possess illegal fishing gear and fishing in areas closed to fishing," Mr Andrews said.

"One fisher allegedly took 7 Murray cod illegally on set lines in Merribit Creek, near Wakool. He has been issued with three penalty notices totalling $1100.

"Three men were also apprehended in the Murrumbidgee River above Burrinjuck Dam using a total 34 set lines and 3 unlawful traps.

"The men have been issued with penalty notices with a combined total of $2800."

Fifteen Murray cod were seized, along with 2 trout cod, 3 golden perch, 2 silver perch, 1 turtle, 53 excess lines, 2 unlawful traps, 7 yabby traps, 2 hoop nets, 1 fish trap, 3 fishing rods and reels, 3 shrimp traps, and assorted fishing gear.

"Illegal fishing gear such as gill nets, fish traps, and set lines are totally prohibited to use or possess in NSW as they have the potential to be extremely destructive to native fish populations and native wildlife," Mr Andrews said.

"DPI encourages anyone who observes or suspects illegal fishing activities to contact the 24hour Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or your local fisheries office.

"Illegal fishing not only affects fish populations, but it’s also not fair on the more than one million recreational fishers who drop a line in each year, and do the right thing."