Man to be prosecuted over blue groper spearing

A 45-year-old man from Macquarie Fields in Sydney will be prosecuted in relation to the spearing of a blue groper - the State's emblem fish - at South Cronulla last week.

The Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said police responded to a call from a concerned eyewitness and found the 10kg fish in the boot of a parked car in Cronulla.

"Police at the scene questioned the man about the matter," Mr Dunn said.

"He will be summonsed to appear in court on an illegal fishing charge. The maximum penalty for spearing a blue groper is an $11,000 fine."

The NSW Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Ian Macdonald, said such offences threaten the sustainability of the species' stocks.

"The blue groper is the State's emblem fish, and has been protected from spearing since 1969," he said.

"The only legal method to catch blue groper is by recreational line fishing, and there is a bag limit of two per day.

"In 1998, the blue groper was declared the emblem fish of NSW, joining other State emblems such as the waratah, platypus and kookaburra.

"The species can grow to around 15kg and one metre in length. Adult gropers establish territories on rocky reefs, making them a much-admired fish among divers and snorkellers."

Media inquiries: Eric Aubert on (02) 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375