HELP STOP BLACK MARKET FISHING

July 30 , 2003

The community is being urged to discuss concerns about illegal fishing for commercial gain as part of the review of black market fishing in NSW, the NSW Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Ian Macdonald, said.

Mr Macdonald said nine community meetings would be held along the NSW Coast to allow people to provide information and discuss black market fishing.

"Former Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer is heading the review, which is examining the extent of illegal harvesting of fish for commercial gain in NSW," Mr Macdonald said. "Illegal fishing and black market sales of fish in NSW pose a serious threat to the State's fish resources and seafood industry.

"This activity threatens valuable fish stocks, undermines licensed commercial fishers and the regional economies they support, and endangers the health of seafood consumers. I urge people to come along and share any information they might have at the meetings, to be hold between July 31 and August 15 in Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Forster, Port Stephens, The Entrance, Wollongong, Ulladulla, Narooma and Eden,"

Mr Macdonald said the community is also invited to make written submissions to the review. In November, the review committee will report to me with recommendations on ways to combat black market fishing," he said.

Dates and locations of the community meetings are:

• Ballina: 31 July, 5.30pm, Richmond Room, Regatta Ave, Ballina

• Coffs Harbour: 1 August, 5.30pm Norm Jordan Pavilion, Coffs Harbour Showground

• Forster: 4 August, 5.30pm, Forster/Tuncurry Memorial Services Club

• Port Stephens: 5 August, 5.30pm, Conference Room, Port Stephens Fisheries Centre, Don Francois Building

• Wollongong: 12 August, 5.30pm, North Wollongong Surf Club

• Central Coast: 13 August, 5.30pm, Central Coast Fisheries Centre, 9 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance

• Ulladulla: 14 August, 5.30pm, Ulladulla Community Centre, 266 Green Street Ulladulla

• Narooma: 15 August, 10am, Narooma Sport and Gamefishing Club

• Eden: 15 August, 5.30pm, Eden Country Club

Written submissions can be sent by email to fishreview.info@fisheries.nsw.gov.au or posted to:

Black Market Fishing Review
C/- NSW Fisheries
PO Box 44
The Entrance NSW 2261

The closing date for submissions is Friday 29 August 2003,

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