Illegal fishing roundup from the June long weekend
But only if you’re fishing within the rules, and this week the Department of Primary Industries in NSW released a list of those who weren’t, and as a result got busted, fined and in some cases charged.
So, as a warning to recreational anglers around NSW and Australia, we thought you might like to know what the DPI is on the lookout for this fishing season.
Most concerning is the use of ‘set lines’ in rivers and estuaries. One man, a 61 year old on the Barwon River was apprehended for using no less than 38 set lines. He’s now looking at charges for both the use of set lines, and the taking of fish illegally.
A separate incident involved four men who were camped on the same river, using 36 set lines and two drag nets. Both of which are illegal.
The maximum penalty associated with the use and possession of illegal fishing gear (including drag nets) and the possession of fish that have been illegally taken is $22,000 or imprisonment for six months (or both) for a first offence.
The maximum penalties specifically associated with the use of set lines, range from $5500 to $11,000.
According to DPI Supervising Fisheries officer Jason Baldwin,
“Set lining has been banned for many years to reduce the negative impact that it was having on our prized native fishes such as Murray cod and golden perch, as well as the unacceptable detrimental impact that it was having on protected wildlife such as turtles, pelicans and cormorants.”
If you’ve never heard of using a ‘set line’, it basically involves setting up lots of individual lines tied to tree’s or buoys. Because they are unattended (and you can have up to 38 out at one time), it’s illegal in fresh water. The same goes for multiple drop lines, bank lines and trot lines which are all pretty much the same thing.
While we’re on the subject, you’re also not allowed to use Frogs or birds as bait, undersize fish as bait, use a light to catch Trout or Salmon and finally (amongst others) use explosives, firearms or electrical devices to catch fish in freshwater.
For a full list of what you can’t do in NSW, here’s a great list of prohibited fishing methods and activities from the DPI.
Happy fishing!
Casey, TAS
