Illegal crayfishers caught near Corowa

14 Sep 2017

A compliance operation, along the Murray River near Corowa, has resulted in two men being apprehended for alleged fisheries offences involving Murray Crayfish.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said the 76 year old Rutherglen man had previous fisheries convictions while it was the first time the 65 year old Wangaratta man had come to the attention of fisheries officers.

“Fisheries officers will allege the two men used a wire trap to take 27 Murray Crayfish, including 20 prohibited size and 6 carrying eggs (or ova),” Mr Tully said.

“The men are now liable to face charges for a range of serious fisheries offences which carry a cumulative maximum penalty in excess of $200,000 and or 5 years imprisonment.

“NSW recreational freshwater fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for future generations.”

Anyone found fishing other than in accordance with the rules can expect to be treated like an illegal fisher,” Mr Tully said.

All 27 Murray Crayfish were returned to the water alive.

Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/freshwater

Murray Crayfish have a daily bag limit of two and the possession limit is four.

Recreational fishers are also reminded that the annual Murray Crayfish season closed on Friday, 1 September 2017.

Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.

Media contact: Jamie Jones (02) 6391 3686