Three men have had their boat and fish seized after being caught illegally fishing in the Darling River at Menindee.
“The men were apprehended earlier this month during a night-time surveillance operation conducted by I&I NSW Fisheries Officers into ongoing illegal fishing activities in the far west of NSW,” said Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Compliance Director, Glenn Tritton this week.
“It’s alleged the men, a 63 year old from Menindee, and a 24 year old and 22 year old, both from Sydney, were using two cord drum nets which are illegal to use in NSW waters.
“Cord drum nets are no longer permitted to be used in NSW waters since the closure of the inland native finfish commercial fishery in 2001.
“The two cord drum nets, a 12 foot punt and 9.9 hp outboard were seized, as well as four large Murray cod, weighing in at a total of 45 kilograms and three golden perch.”
The Menindee man will face court on six charges including the unlawful use of nets, possess fish unlawfully taken, exceed the daily bag limit of Murray cod, take fish for sale, take commercially protected species for sale and land fish for sale in an unlicensed boat.
The two other men will face the court on two charges each including unlawful use of nets and possess fish unlawfully taken.
In another area of inland NSW, two men have been apprehended during the month after being detected by I&I NSW Fisheries Officers on a routine patrol using illegal fishing equipment in irrigation canals, near Mulwala, on the NSW/Victorian border.
It is alleged the men were using 45 illegally constructed yabby traps, which are not permitted to be used in any NSW waters. A box trailer, 45 yabby traps and 731 yabbies were seized. The men, aged 57 and 79 both from Mulwala, have been issued a number of $500 penalty notices for the unlawful use of traps and taking yabbies for sale.
To report illegal fishing, contact the Fisher’s Watch Phone Line on 1800 043 536 or your local I&I NSW Fisheries Officer.
