Fishing closures and restrictions
Fisheries Rules
Our State's fisheries are a community-owned resource. We all have a responsibility to protect and safeguard this natural asset for present and future generations. There are comprehensive laws designed to ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable, and that biological diversity is protected.
Local NSW DPI Fisheries Offices maintain a comprehensive list of local fisheries rules and actively advises the public about these. It is important that it is understood that the information provided in the closures database on this website only provides some of the controls that people need to abide by in respect to their fishing and other activities related to our aquatic resources. The local NSW DPI Fisheries Office should be contacted for the most comprehensive advice on activities that are being contemplated in an area.
NSW DPI has a role in enforcing the following laws regarding recreational fishing:
Fishing closures
- Saltwater location fishing closures
- Saltwater general fishing closures
- Freshwater dam & weir closures
- Freshwater river & hatchery closures
- Freshwater trout & salmon fishing rules
- Section 8 Notification – Fishing Closure - Inland Waters & Trout
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Legislation
- Fisheries Management Act 1994 No 38 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2002 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Aquatic Reserves) Regulation 2002 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Aquaculture) Regulation 2002 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Lobster Share Management Plan) Regulation 2000 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Abalone Share Management Plan) Regulation 2000 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act - Division 5 of Part 5 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Supporting Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Ocean Trawl Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Ocean Trap and Line Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Estuary General Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Estuary Prawn Trawl Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Fisheries Management (Ocean Haul Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006 (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au)
Marine protected areas
- Intertidal Protected Areas
- Aquatic Reserves (www.environment.nsw.gov.au)
- NSW Marine Parks (www.mpa.nsw.gov.au)
- Commonwealth Marine Protected Areas (www.environment.gov.au)
Other relevant closures
- Little Penguin Critical Habitat - Sydney North Harbour (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
- New South Wales submarine cable protection zones (www.acma.gov.au)
- Japanese Midget Sub - Heritage Order (www.heritage.nsw.gov.au)
- Kurnell desalination inshore works (www.maritime.nsw.gov.au)
- Declared diseases and quarantine orders