Canberra anglers heading to the coast this long weekend should make sure they fish responsibly – or face the NSW Government’s wrath.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries has launched Operation Alpha Delta, to detect, disrupt, and report illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity on the NSW south coast. It begins this weekend.
“Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in diving for lobsters and abalone on the South Coast, with more and more participants emerging each year,” Sean Sloan, NSW DPI Deputy Director General, said.
“This has also coincided with an increase in land-based rock fishing and intertidal collecting.
“While the majority of recreational anglers support recreational bag and size limits, there are those who intentionally set out to break the rules and whose actions impact heavily on the sustainability of our fisheries resources.”
Operation Alpha Delta aims are to carry out visible and prominent operations to reduce the risk to the fisheries resource. The DPI will raise awareness and promote compliance through education and engagement. Additionally, it will monitor compliance and enforce fisheries laws in order to reduce inadvertent, opportunistic, and intentional offending.
Fisheries officers will be active from Shoalhaven in the north down to the Victorian border in the south, Mr Sloan said. This spring and summer, they will also make sure fishers are following the rules to safeguard fish stocks.
They will also target Jervis Bay Marine Park and Batemans Marine Park, two of the five keystone Marine Parks in the NSW Marine Estate.
The DPI has established daily bag and possession limits for recreational fishers. Minimum size limits are prescribed for some species to ensure there are enough adult fish to maintain sustainable populations. Removing fish before they have a chance to breed can lower the sustainability of fish stocks.
“This summer, if you are out and about and enjoying the opportunity to fish or collect on our beautiful South Coast of NSW, please make sure you know your fish bag and size limits, protected species, and our Marine Park Sanctuary Zones where fishing is prohibited; and don’t forget to get a fishing license,” Mr Sloan said.
The public can report illegal or suspect illegal fishing activity to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536, or report it online via the form at https://fal.cn/3gJWh.
