LEADER of the Shooters and Fishers, Robert Brown MLC, has told Fisho his party would be “highly concerned” if NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson approved one set of mulloway catch and size limits for the commercial sector, and another set for rec fishers.
“Given the problem with this fishery, we believe that the pressure on immature mulloway should be removed. If this means limiting the commercial take to fish over 75cm … then so be it,” Brown said today.
“I realise that this may effect the gear that commercial netters are currently using, but we can’t allow stocks to go below a critical mass – particularly if the juvenile mulloway catch is merely as the result of by-catch!
“I will take the issue up with the Minister, and I’d like to see the report on the Independent Commercial Fisheries Policy, Management and Administration Review before I make further comment.”
“I understand its release is now imminent,” Brown concluded.
