Fisheries Compliance

Fisheries Compliance Strategies

Having effective compliance systems is integral in combating illegal fishing, the impacts of which have been highlighted in the “Report into Illegal Fishing in NSW for Gain or Profit” and through a national study of crime in the Australian fishing industry conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Fisheries compliance managers from Industry and Investment NSW (I&I NSW) contribute to a range of national and international fisheries compliance forums to help develop strategies to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.  NSW also serves as a member state contributing to the Australasian Fisheries Law Enforcement Conference and the National Fisheries Compliance Committee (NFCC).

One of the key outcomes emerging from the NFCC is the Australian Fisheries National Compliance Strategy 2010-2015 (the Strategy). The Strategy outlines the objectives that Australian fisheries agencies will pursue to promote voluntary compliance and create effective deterrence to illegal fishing activity. It also outlines the principles that agencies will use when planning cost-effective and efficient fisheries compliance programs. The Strategy complements the National Plan of Action (www.daff.gov.au) against illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Strategy acknowledges the differences in operating environments across jurisdictions, however, a standard approach is provided to achieve an optimal level of compliance. Key elements of the national strategy include education, advisory and extension programs and prosecution of offenders where appropriate.

The Strategy document will be used as a reference in developing local compliance strategies and operational plans in NSW thus ensuring a consistent approach to fisheries compliance throughout Australia.

Help Stop Illegal Fishing

Stealing fish and black marketing are serious problems and can deplete our fish and shellfish stocks on the coastline.

Fisheries Officers spend many hours on patrol, detecting and preventing illegal fishing.

We need your help. Report illegal or suspect fishing activities to your nearest Fisheries Office or use the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or complete the online report form.

Record the following information before reporting:

Type of activity
Time, date and location of activity
Number of people and any descriptions
Registration numbers of cars and boats.

If you report illegal activity involving the take of abalone, rock lobster or the harming of marine vegetation you may be entitled to a monetary reward.

For general fishing information, call the Fisheries Information Line on 1300 550 474.

Calls made to a 1800 number from a standard telephone are free to the caller. Calls made from a mobile may be charged at a timed rate.

Becoming a Fisheries Officer