COMPLIANCE officers have found recreational fishers in the Tamworth, Inverell and Narrabri areas doing the right thing - at least at the time they were checked.
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However, several anglers were found in breach of fishing regulations along the Namoi, Castlereagh and Barwon rivers in the North West.
NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Compliance acting director Tony Andrews said the operation had taken place after rain improved river fishing conditions.
Fisheries officers focused on the Narrabri, Wee Waa, Coonamble, Walgett, Collarenebri, Dubbo, Tamworth and Inverell regions.
“The good recent rainfall in the area has brought new opportunities for recreational fishers,” Mr Andrews said.
“However, we also know that increases the opportunity for fishers to engage in illegal activities by use of fish traps, set lines, gill nets and bag/size limit offences.”
Officers checked out 22 fishers and found 12 offences.
“One of the offenders was a 63-year-old man from Coonamble, who was apprehended using three illegal fish traps set in the waters of the Castlereagh River,” Mr Andrews said.
“The man was also found in possession of golden perch, taken illegally from the set fish traps.”
Two males were using unattended set lines and had golden perch from the Barwon River near Walgett.
Others were found fishing without a licence.
“The use of fish traps, nets and lines is a serious and ongoing issue throughout inland waterways,” Mr Andrews said.
“This type of fishing technique poses a threat to the sustainable management of native freshwater fish populations.”
The maximum penalties for illegal fishing activities include $22,000 fines and six months’ jail.
The full guidelines for fishing in NSW waterways are at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational
Some of the rules include that anglers do not:
- Take or attempt to take any species in waters closed to fishing;
- Possess excess fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters;
- Take threatened or protected species;
- Keep prohibited size fish – they should be immediately returned unharmed to the water;
- Possess fish in excess of their bag limit, including transporting and storage of such fish. An exception is if the fish have been purchased from a registered fish receiver such as a fish shop;
- Use any methods to fish recreationally in closed areas;
- Sell recreational catch;
- Use, carry or possess rigged lines in excess of the maximum number of attended lines permitted; or
- Use handlines in notified trout waters.
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
