Man to Face Court for Illegal Fishing on Macleay River

November 27, 2002

A 50-year-old South West Rocks commercial fisher will face court on illegal fishing charges after he was caught using three times the legal number of crab traps on the Macleay River.

The Director of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said the man also had an unlicensed boat and was using a false commercial fishing registration number.

“This illegal activity was detected during covert surveillance by NSW Fisheries staff, who regularly patrol the Macleay River and other mid north coast waterways,” Mr Dunn said.

“The man was using 28 crab traps at Clybucca Creek, a tributary of the Macleay River near South West Rocks,” he said.

“The man’s commercial fishing licence entitled him to use a maximum of 10 crab trap. His boat, motor, crab traps and around 13kg of mud crabs were seized by NSW Fisheries.”

Mr Dunn said NSW Fisheries staff are regularly conducting overt and covert operations on the Macleay River and other local waterways.

“This case should be a warning to anyone breaking fishing rules that NSW Fisheries staff are constantly on the lookout for illegal fishing activity and will continue to investigate and charge those who break the rules.”

Mr Dunn also reminded recreational fishers they are limited to one crab trap under NSW fishing rules.

“Our fish stocks are a community-owned resource and NSW Fisheries is working to protect this resource for future generations.”

Anyone concerned about illegal fishing activities should contact their local NSW Fisheries office or the Fishers Watch number 1800 043 536.

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