Fishcare volunteers clean up Lake Illawarra

Fisheries officers and Fishcare volunteers will take part in a Clean Up Australia Day project on Sunday March 4 at Lake Illawarra.

DPI staff and volunteers will be on Lake Illawarra in two boats collecting rubbish, discarded fishing line and tackle from the lake, foreshore and nearby waterways.

DPI’s Fisheries Education Officer at Illawarra, Gavin McDonall said they will be accessing areas which are difficult to get to by foot.

"One of the boats, belongs to the DPI, the other, a rigid hull inflatable boat is funded by the Recreational Fishing Trust,” he said.

“Clean Up Australia is a wonderful community event which encourages local communities to remove rubbish from the environment.”

Mr McDonall said Fishcare volunteers played an important role in educating the public on sustainable recreational fishing and protecting the environment.

“These dedicated volunteers are part of a program that is funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust,” he said.

The Fishcare Volunteer Program conducts a variety of activities from fishing workshops, research projects that survey the fishing community and the quality of their fishing, to advisory activities assisting fishers to know about  fishing regulations in NSW and sustainable fishing practices.

Fishcare volunteers are often, but not always, fishers themselves engaged in educating and advising fishers. They have no enforcement powers and do not get involved in compliance operations.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fishcare Volunteer program can ring Gavin McDonall on 4295 1809 or 0438 245 190 or by visiting www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

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