News

Seasonal closures in force across Hunter and Central Coast

inline_625_https://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/dmImage/SourceImage/vandalized signs 003-1_01A648F0-2BA2-11E6-AE4306F629B0F27F.jpg
Image: NSW DPI

A FOUR month operation targeting illegal fishing in the Hunter district is underway in a bid to crack down on non-compliant fishing activity at known hotspots in the region.

NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (NSW DPI) Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, says the hot water outlet canals of the Eraring Power Station near Lake Macquarie and other waterways on the Central Coast are closed to all methods of fishing from May 1 to August 21 between the hours of 6pm and 6am.

“The closure aims to protect juvenile fish stocks, which aggregate in large numbers in the warm water near the outlets to be able to make their way to the Lake Macquarie Recreational Fishing Haven,” Tully said.

“Unacceptable levels of non-compliance during the closure period have occurred in recent years so DPI Fisheries officers will be taking a hard line approach to all incidents of non-compliance at these two locations over the next four months.

“Anyone found at these spots fishing between the closure hours can face hefty on the spot fines or prosecution.”

Offences detected in recent years include taking fish from waters protected from recreational fishing and possessing fishing gear at closed waters.

Fines for non-compliance penalties range for $75 to $500 while prosecution penalties can be up to $22,000.

“Illegal fishing activity won’t be tolerated, and our fisheries officers will work tirelessly to protect the aquatic environment and safeguard fish stocks for future generations.

“These closures are in place to protect and conserve our native fish and aquatic habitats to ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable,” Tully said.

A full list of NSW closures can be found on the NSW DPI website.

To report illegal fishing contact the Fishers Watch Phone Line on 1800 043 536 or visit the compliance section of the NSW DPI website.

+ posts

What's your reaction?

Related Posts

Load More Posts Loading...No More Posts.