LOCAL anglers and nearby residents of Lake Coila on the NSW South Coast are fuming following the discovery of numbers of luderick (blackfish) dumped in bushland.
The fish, believed to be the result of netting bycatch, were found at Coila launch area near the Kyla Hall and locals believe they may have been dumped last Thursday or Friday night.
A few months ago Fishing World reported on large scale netting of black bream at Lake Coila which caused widespread backlash from concerned anglers and residents. Read earlier reports here and here and a report on dumped bream discovered at a lake in the Narooma region here.
Fisho understands that Lake Coila locals are now seriously questioning the environmental sustainabily of non-quota fishing of Coila Lake and say there has been nothing forthcoming in the way of real local data to support the destructive practice.
The local community is set to begin discussions with Eurobodalla Shire Council in view of highlighting better employment benefits to the local community if Coila was declared a recreational fishing zone.
Fishing World contacted NSW Fisheries today for comment and to ask if action will be taken to find those responsible for these fish dumpings, and previously reported incidents.
Prior to going to press, NSW Fisheries informed Fisho that a fisheries officer had visited the fish dumping site to investigate the incident.
We will keep readers informed of further developments.
