A 60 year old man from Hay will face serious charges after he was allegedly found using a large fish trap in the State’s Riverina, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Acting Director Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said today.
“Fisheries officers apprehended the man following a targeted operation on the Murrumbidgee River near Hay,” Mr Tully said.
“The man was observed by fisheries officers retrieving a large fish trap from the Murrumbidgee River and illegally take 12 golden perch and 2 carp contained within the trap.
“Following an investigation the man was found to be in possession of a total of 15 golden perch taken over two days of fish trapping in the river.
“Fisheries officers seized the 15 golden perch plus three illegal fish traps.
“The man will now face court on a number of charges including the unlawful use of trap, possess prohibited fishing gear, take more than the daily limit of specified fish species, possess more than possession limit of a specified fish species and possess fish illegally taken.”
Mr Tully said fishing gear such as fish traps, gill nets, drum nets and set lines are totally prohibited throughout NSW inland waterways.
“Fish traps exert excess fishing pressure on fish populations and were banned in NSW to reduce the high level of destruction that was being inflicted on target native finfish species such as Murray cod and golden perch,” Mr Tully said.
“These traps also endanger non-target native fauna such as turtles, water rats, platypus and water birds.
“Our native fish stocks and fauna are a community owned resource and fisheries officers will continue working to catch those individuals who choose to flaunt the NSW fishing rules and to protect our natural resources for future generations.
“The community can help us protect our native fish stocks by reporting illegal or suspicious fishing activity to the Fishers Watch phoneline on 1800 043 536 or directly to your nearest DPI Fisheries office.”
Illegal fishing can also be reported online by visiting www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.