NSW DPI operation helps ensure anglers do the right thing

Fisheries officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) South West Zone spent their Labour Day long weekend taking part in a DPI operation aimed at making sure that anglers in south west and central NSW were obeying the fishing rules and fish safely.

Six fisheries officers participated in the operation targeting fishing activities from 30 September to 4 October in the Lachlan River, Merrowie and Willandra Creeks in the north and Murray River and Swampy Plains Rivers, Khancoban Pondage and Lake Mulwala in the south.

NSW DPI Supervising Fisheries Officer Peter Tilbrook said the operation in the north utilised a fixed-wing plane to cover large areas quickly and effectively.

‘We covered 500 kilometres with every camp spotted from the air checked,’ he said.

The fisheries officers formed two teams and inspected anglers from Booligal upstream to Lake Cargelligo in the Lachlan, covering 160 kilometres by boat.

‘This sort of far reaching, high profile operation reinforces that fisheries officers are out and about and if anglers do the wrong thing there is a good chance that they will be caught,’ Mr Tilbrook said.

‘A total of 329 anglers were checked and it was very pleasing to note that most of them were complying with the fisheries regulations.

‘Most offences and seized gear were from one group of anglers in the Lachlan River.’

A range of fishing equipment was seized during the operation including 52 unattended set lines, eight wire fish traps and one cord drum net.

The long weekend traditionally marks the start of the annual fishing season for many trout anglers throughout NSW. Murray cod remains off limits until 1 December.

‘We would like to remind anglers that they need to have a recreational fishing licence to fish in all NSW waters, unless they are otherwise exempt and that they must carry it with them while fishing,’ Mr Tilbrook said.

Fishing licences can be bought on the Internet at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, at more than 1200 agents including boat and tackle stores, NSW Kmart Stores, Shell Select service stations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, or by calling 1300 369 365.

Fees raised from the sale of the recreational fishing licence are placed into Recreational Fishing Trusts, one for saltwater and one for freshwater. Expenditure from the Trusts is overseen by anglers and supports a wide variety of State-wide programs to improve recreational fishing.

Mr Tilbrook said anglers also need to be aware of the fishing rules that govern their sport, and in particular bag and size limits.

Details of the State’s recreational fishing rules are published in saltwater and freshwater fishing guides. The 2005/06 guides have just been released and are available from most bait and tackle shops, recreational fishing licence agents and NSW DPI (Fisheries) offices. Copies can also be viewed online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.