1. Why has commercial fishing been banned in Sydney Harbour?

A total ban has been placed on commercial fishing as a precautionary measure after test results revealed elevated levels of dioxin in a number of species of fish and crustaceans in Sydney Harbour.

2. What are dioxins and what effects do they have on humans?

Dioxins are a group of chlorinated compounds produced unintentionally by industrial processes, as well as through some natural processes, such as bushfires. Dioxins are found in low levels in the normal Australian diet and at these low levels present no known health risk. A recent national study concluded that the exposure to dioxins in Australia is generally lower than in other countries. Australian Health authorities have established a "safe" intake level of dioxin. This level has been set to protect individuals from health concerns including cancer.

3. Why are there high levels of dioxins in Sydney Harbour?

Residues of dioxins in seafood caught in the Harbour/Parramatta River are likely to have their sources in contaminated sediments in or near Homebush Bay. Current levels are likely due to many years of industrial activities along those waterways. Millions of dollars are being spent on cleaning up contaminated sediments in the affected areas.

4. What is the Government doing about protecting human health in the Harbour?

The Government has announced a $5.8 million package that includes a voluntary buy out of commercial fishing businesses, further testing for dioxins in the fish, and a public information campaign to advise recreational fishers and the community about the risks of eating seafood caught in the Harbour. Millions of additional dollars are being spent on cleaning up the contamination, particularly near Homebush Bay.

All commercial fishing has been banned in the Harbour, including prawn trawling. Further sampling of fish and prawns from Port Jackson has been undertaken. Warning signs have been erected around the Harbour and a multilingual brochure is being distributed to warn recreational fishers of the dangers of consuming fish and crustaceans taken from the Harbour. Information is being sent to all one year and three year fishing fee receipt holders, fishing clubs, and charter boat operators who are known to reside in the Sydney region and progressively to those fishers located elsewhere. Information is also being disseminated through FishCare volunteers, Waterways Officers, Water Police, through the print media and through the Department of Primary Industries, NSW Health, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation and NSW Food Authority websites. This information is updated as new testing results emerge.

5. Is recreational fishing banned in the Harbour?

Recreational fishing in the Harbour has not been banned, but fishers are urged to follow dietary advice on the consumption of seafood from the Sydney Harbour, Parramatta River and other connected tidal waterways. Fishers can also continue to practise catch and release.

Based on advice from an expert panel, the Government is recommending that:

• No fish or crustaceans caught west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge should be eaten. You should release your catch.
• For fish caught east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge generally no more than 150 grams per month should be consumed.
• Testing of popular species has allowed for more accurate dietary advice. The table below provides advice on the maximum consumption of single species.

Important Note: This advice is provided if one single species is being eaten. For example eating 150 grams of Bream and 600 grams of prawns in one month would exceed the recommended intake. Eating 300 g prawns, 300g sand whiting and 300g yellowtail scad in one month would equal the recommended maximum intake.

6. Will the Government be providing financial assistance to commercial fishers who are no longer able to take fish and prawns from the Harbour?

Yes, $5 million was allocated to buy out Port Jackson estuary prawn trawl fishing businesses and estuary general businesses with a history of operating in Port Jackson. The program was designed to enable commercial fishers to exit the industry with a fair ex-grata payment (note estuary fishers can operate in one of seven regions along the coast).

7. Do the recent test results mean that the commercial fishing ban will be lifted?

No, the commercial fishing ban will remain as the results from commercial species such as squid, bream and prawns still show elevated dioxin levels. However, some initial arrangements have been made to give commercial fishers who accepted the voluntary buyout offer the first option to re-enter the relevant fishery subject to appropriate conditions, if the harbour is found to be safe for commercial harvest in the future.

8. Will the Government be testing fish for dioxins in other estuaries?

The Department of Primary Industries acts on advice from NSW Health and the NSW Food Authority on fish contamination issues. The Department of Primary Industries also acts on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation on ecosystem contamination issues. When advised by these agencies, the Department of Primary Industries takes action by implementing fishing closures where appropriate, communicating health warnings where appropriate, and assisting these agencies with sampling of fish.

The Department of Environment and Conservation has advised that the type of manufacturing facility that was historically located in Homebush Bay producing particularly toxic chemicals (dioxins were unintentionally produced through this production) is the reason for the elevated levels of dioxins in the Harbour. These types of facilities were not located elsewhere in NSW.

9. Will the Government be completely banning all fishing in the Harbour?

At this time, the advice from NSW Health is that it is safe to consume the recommended levels of fish and crustaceans east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However no seafood caught west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge should be eaten. A total ban on commercial fishing has been implemented to ensure the safety of consumers and the integrity of the seafood industry.

10. Is it safe to undertake other recreational activities in the Harbour such as boating and swimming?

At this stage it is considered to be safe to undertake boating activities and swim in the Harbour. Water quality in the Harbour is the cleanest it has been in decades. The issue is with sediments on the harbour floor, which have been exposed to industrial pollution dating back over the past 100 years, and the migratory patterns of fish from polluted areas like Homebush Bay into the cleaner waters of the Harbour.

11. Will the ban on commercial fishing impact on the availability of fresh local seafood?

The ban on commercial fishing in the Harbour will not have a major impact on the supply of fish to local seafood shops and markets, as the commercial catch from the Harbour is quite small compared to the overall availability of seafood.

Commercial finfish catch in Sydney Harbour prior to the ban:

• Total annual commercial catch is less than 2% of the finfish sold in NSW.
• Volume of commercial catch per annum = 56 tonnes.

Commercial prawns caught in Sydney Harbour prior to the ban:

• Total annual commercial catch makes up less than 1% of the traditional supply of prawns to local seafood markets.
• Volume of commercial catch last year = 5.5 tonnes.