Long Weekend Licence Crackdown

October 1 , 2003

Anglers planning to fish in NSW over the upcoming October long weekend are reminded that they must hold a recreational fishing licence and follow fishing rules.

“The three-day October long weekend is traditionally regarded as the start of the Summer fishing season,” the Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said. “Anglers need to be aware that bag and size limits apply in fresh and saltwater, and that they are required to hold a fishing licence. Money raised through the licence goes directly into projects which support recreational fishing.”

Mr Dunn said anglers on the coast will continue to benefit from a $230,000 licence-funded project that has included installation of 10 fish attracting devices along the coast. A number of the devices were removed during the Winter for maintenance and are now being reinstalled. Anglers have been reporting increased catches of pelagic fish such as dolphin fish, kingfish, mackerel and small tuna in areas near the devices.

Mr Dunn said the October long weekend marked the start of the NSW trout fishing season. Trout streams are closed each year over winter to protect spawning fish and reopen to fishing from midnight on Friday, October 3.

“People can get information on size and bag limits and on notified trout waters from tackle shops, NSW Fisheries’ offices and the Fisheries’ website at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.”

Mr Dunn also reminded anglers in western NSW that Murray Cod are protected during their breeding season and cannot be taken until December 1.

He said that during the long weekend Fisheries officers will be checking licences and watching out for illegal fishing practices. Licences cost $5 for three days, $10 for one month, $25 a year and $70 for three years. They be purchased from bait and tackle stores, Shell Select service stations, the NSW Fisheries website or by calling 1300 369 365.

A special operation targeting illegal fishing activity on the Hastings River will be conducted by NSW Fisheries and NSW Police this long weekend.

The Hastings River and its tributaries are a recreational fishing haven where all forms of commercial fishing are banned.

In recent times, there have been a number of people apprehended and fined for illegal fishing activity on the Hastings River.

These include:
A 67-year-old Port Macquarie man being fined $3400 after being caught on a Hastings River tributary, the Maria River, with three times the legal recreational limit of prawns.
Two men where also fined $2900 each after being caught prawn trawling in the Hastings River near Rawdon Island.
Two men who stole oysters from a lease near Little Rawdon Island each being fined $800.

Mr Dunn said, the long weekend operation would be highly visible, using marked NSW Fisheries boats and uniformed officers.

It will also provide an opportunity for NSW Fisheries officers to discuss fishing issues with anglers and advise them on aspects of rules.

Mr Dunn said NSW Fisheries officers will also be checking to ensure anglers comply with size and bag limits. Charter fishing boats will also be inspected to ensure they are following fishing rules.

People found without a recreational fishing licence can be issued an on-the-spot penalty of $200. Even heavier penalties apply for bag and size limit offences and fishing gear and boats can be seized.”

For more information about NSW recreational fishing rules contact your nearest NSW Fisheries office or check out the NSW Fisheries website (www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au).

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