Recreational Fishing

Recreational Fishing Havens

In 2002, 30 locations along the NSW coast were set aside for recreational fishing following the removal of commercial fishing effort. Twenty seven percent of NSW estuarine waters are now substantially free of commercial fishing (up from three percent).

The purpose of these areas is to improve opportunities for recreational fishing in key areas of significance to recreational fishers.

Commercial fishers were treated fairly through a buyout process where commercial fishing entitlements were surrendered in exchange for ex-gratia payments. The payments were funded through a loan and the Trust is repaying the loan on an annual basis.

The 30 locations were chosen after a transparent selection process, which ensured that the community's social, economic and ecological issues were considered.

The 30 Recreational Fishing Havens

Commercial fishing was banned from these areas from 1 May 2002, except for the Clarence River haven which came into on 1 September 2002.

Note: This is a guide only - for information on the precise boundaries of these closures, contact your local Fisheries Office.

Area	Notes
Tweed River	Closed downstream from Boyd's Bay Bridge and from south of Rocky Point east to Fingal Road. Wommin Lake, Wommin Lagoon and six canal estates beyond that area is also closed (ie. Seagulls Canal, Tweed West Canals, Blue Water Canals, Crystal Waters Canal, Endless Summer Canal Estate, Oxley Cove). See Map.
Richmond River	Closed downstream from a line drawn east across the Richmond River from the south eastern corner of portion 21 which is the river end of Emigrant Point Lane beside the flood gate. Crab trapping and eel trapping continues to be permitted in the river and Emigrant creek upstream from the Burns Point ferry. See Map.
Clarence River	The following areas are closed 1) Middle Wall - a 2 kilometre stretch at the Clarence River mouth near Yamba (hauling during the mullet travelling season - April to August - is still permitted in this area). 2) Romiaka Bridge - waters adjacent to the Romiaka Channel Road Bridge, just outside Yamba. 3) Oyster Channel Bridge - waters adjacent to Oyster Channel Road Bridge, near Yamba. 4) Entrance of Saltwater Inlet - a 300 metre stretch of River on the eastern side of North Arm, between Arris Island and Saltwater Inlet, near Iluka. See Map.
Bellinger River (including Kalang River)	Completely closed.
Deep Creek	Completely closed.
Hastings River	Completely closed.
Camden Haven River	Closed downstream from Dunbogan Bridge and North Haven Bridge (including Gogleys lagoon). See Map.
Manning River	Closed downstream from Ghinni Ghinni and Berady Creek (including Scotts Creek). See Map.
Lake Macquarie	Completely closed.
Botany Bay	Closed with the exception of abalone gathering and rock lobster trapping. Note - Abalone gathering is currently prohibited - see the closure notice.
St Georges Basin	Completely closed.
Lake Conjola	Completely closed.
Narrawallee Inlet	Completely closed.
Burrill Lake	Completely closed.
Lake Tabourie	Completely closed.
Meroo Lake	Completely closed.
Tomaga River	Completely closed.
Tuross Lake (including Tuross River and Borang Lake)	Completely closed.
Lake Brunderee	Completely closed.
Dalmeny Lake (also known as Mummaga Lake)	Completely closed.
Little Lake (also known as Little Tilba Lake and Hoyers Lake)	Completely closed.
Bermagui River	Completely closed.
Nelson Lake (Nelson Lagoon)	Completely closed.
Bega River	Completely closed.
Back Lake (Back Lagoon)	Completely closed.
Pambula River	Completely closed.
Yowaka River	Completely closed.
Nullica River	Completely closed.
Towamba River (also known as Kiah River)	Completely closed.
Wonboyn Lake, River and Wonboyn Beach (to 500 metres from mean high water level)	Completely closed.

Note: The closed waters also include all bays, tributaries, creeks, canals and artificial lakes within that area.

The boundaries of any fishing closure are defined in the relevant notification as published in the Government Gazette. Contact your local NSW DPI Office or read the closure notice for more information.

Title	Details
RFH - Report to the Recreational Fishing Trust Expenditure Committee	63.6 kb