Illegal fishers are paying the price, with NSW Courts continuing to issue heavy fines to people caught doing the wrong thing, Industry & Investment NSWs Special Operations Manager, Tony Andrews, said today.

"In three recent cases, six men have been ordered to pay a total of $ 37,780 in fishing fines, after being apprehended by Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Officers, for fishing illegally," Mr Andrews said.

"I make no apologies to illegal fishers feeling pain in the hip pocket - if you fish illegally, expect to get caught and pay the price.

"In one such matter, a 24 year old man from Shellharbour was fined almost $17,000 in fines and court costs, after being spotted diving near Boat Harbour in Gerringong, on the NSW South Coast in February 2007. 

"The man, who had previously been successfully prosecuted for similar offences, was found to be in possession of 33 shucked (shelled) abalone and 1 whole abalone.

"In Wollongong Local Court in September he was found guilty of possessing abalone taken contrary to a fishing closure, possess more than the maximum quantity of abalone and possessing shucked abalone adjacent to waters.

"He was also fined for not having a recreational fishing licence."

In another case, a 29 year old man from Gerringong was ordered to pay more than $8,500 in fines and professional costs, after being found guilty of possessing more than the maximum quantity of abalone, obstructing a fisheries officer, and failing to pay the recreational fishing fee for offences which occurred at South Werri Beach on the south coast in February 2007.

"He was spotted by I&I NSW Fisheries Officers using abalone gut as bait, and was seen to throw more than two abalone shells into the water, in an area closed to the taking of abalone," Mr Andrews said.

"When Fisheries officers approached the man, he threw the remaining contents of his cooler bag into the sea before officers had a chance to carry out their duties."

And four men, aged between 22 and 26, have been ordered to pay over $12,000 in fines and professional costs after appearing in Toronto Local Court, after being found guilty of a number of fishing offences at the Eraring Power Station hot water outlet, on the NSW Central Coast in June 2007.

The men were targeted at the site as part of an ongoing compliance operation during seasonal fishing closures.

"A range of measures have been implemented in order to preserve fish stocks and allow all anglers the opportunity to catch quality fish including restrictions on the type and amount of fishing gear that can be used, seasonal closure as well as fish size and bag limits," Mr Andrews said.

"Fishing closures or protected areas are created to protect biodiversity and marine habitats, and help to ensure that marine resources are used in a sustainable manner.

"The NSW Government is committed to continuing the crackdown on illegal fishing, and bringing offenders before the courts to pay the price." 

Fishers are reminded that they should hold and carry a current recreational fishing licence when taking or attempting to take fish in all NSW waterways.

The NSW Recreational Fishing Fee is:

• $6 for three days
• $12 per month
• $30 per year
• $75 for 3 years

The fee can be easily paid over the telephone, via the Internet, at tackle stores, and some offices of Industries and Investment NSW.

Anyone with information on illegal activity is encouraged to contact their local fisheries office, or call the Fishers Watch line on 1800 043 536

Further reading

Recreational fishing rules and regulations

Media contact: Sarah McGregor 0427 075 167