Four men fined $2000 for illegal lobster harvest
19 Jan 2017
Department of Primary Industries Fisheries officers have issued $500 fines to four men caught harvesting Eastern Rock Lobsters from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The men took the nine lobsters from the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve in December, in contravention of the Marine Estate Management Act 2014.
DPI Fisheries Compliance Director Tony Andrews said the lobsters were photographed by officers and returned to the water unharmed.
“Illegal fishing activity will not be tolerated in any aquatic reserve,” he said.
“Fishers need to respect the rules that are in place to conserve our valuable marine biodiversity.”
Long Reef Aquatic Reserve is the oldest Aquatic Reserve in NSW. Established in 1980, it is centred on the extensive intertidal rocky shores that fringe the prominent Long Reef headland.
“A huge diversity of marine life is associated with the range of rocky shore habitats and different degrees of wave exposure around the headland,” Mr Andrews said.
“The Reserve is also an important site for educational activities and scientific research, it is popular with school groups, university students and marine researchers.”
Fishers are allowed to catch finfish with a hand-held line or spear, subject to other NSW fishing rules and regulations, but no invertebrate animals, cunjevoi or marine plants (whether alive or dead) can be taken or collected from the reserve.
“This means you cannot collect shellfish, fish for squid or cuttlefish, collect any marine animals including lobster and abalone, or plants from the shore, or collect empty shells,” Mr Andrews said.
“Long Reef Aquatic Reserve has been set aside for the protection of marine invertebrates and plants for more than 30 years. We would ask that all visitors respect the rules to ensure it does so for many years more.”
The removal of dead plants or animals is not permitted as they provide habitat and food for living organisms. Bait cannot be collected in the Aquatic Reserve.
Please report illegal or suspect fishing activities to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536.
Media contact: 02 6391 3686
