Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Officers are pursuing illegal fishos who target undersized fish around power station outlets on the NSW Central Coast.
As part of a blanket ban on night fishing in these areas, anglers are prohibited from fishing from boats and on the shore, in or near the power station outlet canals in Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes, including the Eraring, Vales Point and Munmorah power stations between 6pm and 6am.
NSW Primary Industries Minister, Steve Whan, said “I&I NSW Fisheries Officers, in partnership with NSW Police, will continue to conduct regular covert and overt night patrols of these areas, and anyone caught fishing illegally within the closed areas could face a $500 on the spot fine.”
“These bans are in place to help protect juvenile fish, which gather around the power station outlet’s warm water discharge area.”
The restrictions are in place from May 1 to August 31 every year.
In less than two years, 77 fishers have been apprehended illegally fishing during the night ban. 186 fish, including bream, tarwhine and tailor have been seized, along with 18 fishing rods.
Information on illegal fishing should be reported to the Fisher’s Watch Phone Line on 1800 043 536.
