A new high-speed patrol boat will begin patrolling waters in the Inverell area this week, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald announced today.

Mr Macdonald said the new $38,000, 4.8-metre aluminium patrol vessel was part of the NSW Government’s crackdown on illegal fishing across the State.

"This new vessel will be used by Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) fisheries officers in patrols of inland waters in the greater Inverell area, including Copeton and Pindari Dams," Mr Macdonald said.

"These areas are popular recreational fishing spots and attract more than 210,000 visitors each year.

"Copeton Dam has a capacity of more than 1,364,000 mega litres which is three times that of Sydney Harbour and this new high-speed vessel will allow fisheries officers to cover huge areas in their patrols.

"The Copeton and Pindari Dams are home to important native fish like the Murray cod, silver perch and catfish which are protected by bag and size limits and allowable methods of capture.

"This new vessel will allow fisheries officers to quickly and safely conduct patrols of local waterways and detect and deter fisheries crime.

"The patrol vessel is equipped with a 90 horsepower, 4-stroke, low emissions outboard motor, which is not only economical, but also minimises the impact on the environment."

Mr Macdonald said that as the boat is lightweight, fast and manoeuvrable, it enables fisheries officers to quickly approach and apprehend vessels engaged in illegal activity.

"We are committed to protecting the State’s natural resources and there are more than 90 DPI fisheries officers policing illegal fishing across NSW," Mr Macdonald said.

"This vessel joins three other new patrol boats to hit the water in Sydney, Albury and Port Macquarie recently, as part of the NSW Government’s crackdown on illegal fishing and the blackmarketing of fish.

"In the last 12 months alone, more than 2,000 penalty infringement notices have been issued, and over 450 prosecutions launched for offences under Fisheries legislation across the State.

"In the last three months, our fisheries officers have issued more than 81 compliance notices in North West NSW for a range of offences including taking prohibited size fish and exceeding bag limits."

Minister Macdonald also announced today the Iemma Government will introduce tough new penalties for illegal fishing activity, which will target organised syndicates involved in serious fisheries crime.

"The NSW Government will increase penalties for repeat offenders, doubling the penalty for fish thieves who commit the same offence twice," Mr Macdonald said.

"Under the new laws, illegal fishers can for the first time be made to pay additional fines of up to 10 times the value of the illegal catch for high value species.

"This is on top of a range of enhanced penalties that will now be directly linked to the seriousness of the offence.

"Serious fisheries crime in trafficking priority species will now be an indictable offence, with substantially increased jail terms applying.

"We’ll also give courts the power to seize assets and money gained through illegal fishing, and bring certain serious fisheries offences under the Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997.

"This sends a clear message to illegal fishers in high value fisheries such as abalone, lobster and shark fin, which are the targets of organised crime, that we’re coming after them.

"We are determined to wipe out the illegal syndicates who are operating along the State’s coastline, in particular the South Coast.

"The laws will be introduced into Parliament as soon as possible.

"They will greatly assist in the fight against crime in our fisheries - helping our legitimate commercial and recreational fishing industry, and helping the ongoing sustainability of our fish stocks."

Information about complying with fisheries laws is readily available from NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) fisheries offices and on www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations

Illegal fishing activity can be reported to your local DPI office or by calling the Fisher’s Watch hotline 1800 043 536.

Media contact: Lyndall Derrig 0400 462 447 or Claire March 8289 3949