NSW DPIRD has played down concerns over a controversial mulloway beach haul at Port Stephens.
Fishing World last week published a series of controversial photos showing a large scale commercial mulloway beach haul.
In a statement sent to Fishing World, a spokesperson for NSW DPIRD said the Department has investigated this catch and has “not found evidence of unlawful activity”.
“In the case of ocean beach hauling, there are a restricted number of fishing licences authorising this activity, which, along with the individual daily limit for these fishers, restricts the total catch of mulloway in this fishery,” said the DPIRD spokesperson.
NSW DPIRD did not comment on commercial beach haul endorsement holders working in teams and combining daily limits to catch significantly more than 200kg from one location.
“Commercial and recreational sectors each take around half of the total Mulloway catch, with each sector operating under strict management controls tailored to the current status of the stock,” said the spokesperson.
“On an average annual basis, 8% of the commercial mulloway catch is taken by the ocean haul fishery.
“DPIRD is currently finalising the proposed Mulloway Harvest Strategy following consultation undertaken last year, and is working on new Mulloway research programs to support the effective assessment and management of Mulloway in NSW,” said the spokesperson.
“This consultation also included proposed reporting changes for commercial and recreational fishers, aimed to improve information on individual and total catch levels.”
