Gill Net Offenders in Court

Two men from Dubbo and one from Bathurst have been fined for the illegal use of a gill net. 

The trio aged between 22 and 24 years of age appeared in the Lithgow Local Court last month, charged with the unlawful use of a gill net and fishing contrary to a closure.

The court heard that in October 2005 the three were observed, by Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Officers, setting a gill net in the waters of Thompson’s Creek Dam.

Thompson’s Creek Dam is highly regarded by recreational anglers for its trout fishing.

Thompson’s Creek dam is classified as a ‘Trophy Trout Dam’ and is closed to all methods of fishing other than by the use of two attended rods with artificial lure or artificial fly attached.

Gill nets are banned in NSW because of the serious risk that they pose to the long term sustainability of NSW fish stocks.

The net, which is shaped like a square, is normally set in still water and basically catches anything that is moving in the river or lake. Fish are generally captured by their gills hence the net’s name.

Nets of this type have the potential to impact heavily upon fish stocks by taking large numbers of fish before they reach a size and age that has allowed them to reproduce.

All three men plead guilty to the charges and each was convicted and fined a total of $500 plus court costs.

Fisheries officers will increase patrol activity in the Thompson’s Creek dam and other waterways in the Central West over the Christmas period and fishers need to be aware of fishing rules. Details of the State’s fishing rules are published in the freshwater and saltwater fishing guides which are available from most tackle shops, DPI (Fisheries) offices and online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Anyone with information on illegal fishing activities is encouraged to contact their local DPI Fisheries Office or the Fisher’s Watch Line on 1800 043 536.