NSW commercial fishing statement of intent

The Minister responsible for fisheries, the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson has issued a Statement of Intent

Developmental Commercial Fisheries

Download the relevant documentation to carry out activity in developmental fisheries

Shareholding information for share management fisheries

Publicly available information on shareholdings in each share management fishery can be accessed here (updated at the beginning of each month)

Reform program for NSW commercial fishing

The Government’s response to the recommendations of the Independent Review of Commercial Fisheries Policy, Management and Administration is now available

FishOnline

Find out about the new program which aims to support the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Program and improve service delivery to the NSW Commercial fishing industry.

Bycatch and its reduction

Find out what NSW DPI is doing about reducing bycatch & the different methods of byctach being used

Fisheries management techniques

An introduction to commercial and recreational fisheries management techniques and management tools

Identifying sharks and rays - A guide for NSW commercial fishers

This guide is designed to assist commercial fishers identify sharks and rays potentially encountered in NSW waters.

NSW Commercial Fishing Catch and Effort Reporting

NSW DPI is introducing revised catch and effort reporting arrangements for the NSW commercial fishing industry commencing from July, 2009.

The NSW wild harvest commercial fishing industry is a dynamic network of skilled businesses. Commercial fishers, wholesalers, processors and retailers, work together with the restaurant and catering industry to supply fresh seafood to communities across the State, as well as to interstate and overseas markets.

The seafood industry, which includes aquaculture and oyster farmers is a vibrant industry which generates over half a billion dollars of economic activity each year, employing more than 4000 people. Of this, the wild harvest commercial fishing managed under NSW jurisdiction is worth more than $90 million dollars at first point of sale.

The health benefits of seafood are well known and the industry is rising to the challenge of ensuring that fresh seafood is available not just along the coast, but throughout NSW.

The NSW wild harvest commercial fisheries

The NSW commercial fisheries are carefully managed. The resource is shared amongst over 1,000 commercial fishers who catch fish for the whole community to enjoy. The industry has recognised the challenges in making fisheries sustainable and has led many of the changes introduced to improve environmental performance.

The NSW fishing industry is primarily made up of small family businesses that rely on high levels of local knowledge and skills learnt over many generations. These businesses use some of the most environmentally sound technology available, such as world leading by-catch reduction devices, and operate under stringent controls regarding their fishing times, seasons and equipment. The industry is constantly striving to improve its environmental performance and contributes millions of dollars each year to research and compliance programs.

The clean and green reputation of the whole NSW seafood industry depends on fisheries being viable, profitable and sustainable. The industry underpins the economy of many coastal towns providing wealth and employment in places, and at times of the year, where there is little other economic activity.