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Illegal bait collectors fined

THREE people, including two commercial fishers, have been ordered to pay over $8,000 for the illegal collection of pink saltwater nippers from Sydney’s Port Hacking.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton,
said only licensed commercial fishers can gather saltwater nippers for sale as bait in NSW.

“Fisheries officers observed a recreational fisher using a yabby pump to take pink
saltwater nippers on two separate occasions from sand flats in Port Hacking, and then
supply these nippers to two commercial fishers endorsed to collect bait who were also
collecting from the same location,” Mr Tritton said.

“It is alleged that the commercial fishers then on-sold the recreationally taken nippers as part of their commercial catch taken on the first occasion.

“Fisheries officers seized 200 nippers taken on the second occasion, which were returned to the water alive.

“The two commercial fishers were found guilty of using unlicensed crew, with one
receiving an 18 month good behaviour bond and fined $1,000 plus $2,000 legal costs,
while the other was fined $600 plus $2,000 legal costs.

“The recreational fisher was found guilty by the court for not holding the necessary
commercial licenses for bait collection and fined $600 plus $2,000 in legal costs.”

Mr Tritton said strict rules are in place for commercial bait collectors to control the fishing effort and secure the supply of saltwater nippers for future generations.

“Fishers selling any seafood product in NSW must hold the appropriate licenses to ensure our seafood is harvested correctly and safely and our fisheries resources remain at sustainable levels,” Mr Tritton said.

“Saltwater nippers are in high demand particularly in NSW metropolitan areas and a cap
on number commercial fishers has been legislated to control the fishing effort for saltwater nippers and reduce the chance of overfishing.

“Fisheries officers will continue target the illegal collection of saltwater nippers and bring
offenders before the courts.”

The possession limit for saltwater nippers in NSW for recreational fishers is 100 per
person.

A summary of the NSW fishing rules and regulations can be found in the 2013 NSW
Saltwater Fishing Guide or online at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.

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