A NEW $150,000 high-speed fisheries patrol vessel is patrolling the waters of the NSW Mid-North Coast, Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson and Member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser, announced this week in Coffs Harbour.
“Fisheries officers are the front line in protecting our State’s fisheries resources,” Katrina Hodgkinson said.
“The purpose-built 6.8 metre vessel will be utilised across the region to detect and deter anyone engaged in illegal fishing activity.
“It has been fitted with the latest technology and safety equipment and will help the vital work of our fisheries officers,” she said.
The vessel is to be named the FPV Peter Angel in memory of the late Peter Angel, who recently passed away following more than 40 distinguished years as a fisheries officer. The vessel will be utilised in the ocean trawl, ocean trap and line, rock lobster, ocean haul and recreational fisheries to conduct compliance checks and surveillance operations. It is capable of being launched from ocean beaches and can cross bars at river mouths.
The patrol boat is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system and will be based at Coffs Harbour, and will patrol waters as far north as Tweed Heads and down to South West Rocks.
Illegal fishing activity can be reported to local fisheries offices or by calling Fisher’s Watch on 1800 043 536.
