Fisheries officers continue to enhance the overall effectiveness of coastal and inland compliance strategies in NSW. These positions form an integral component of the team of officers based throughout NSW. There are four staff based within the Port Stephens Fisheries Office. The area (or district) covered by this office extends to waters from Stockton Beach in the south to Seal Rocks in the north and includes the waters of Port Stephens and the Myall Lakes and both the estuarine and fresh waters of their tributaries (such as the Karuah and Myall Rivers).

Compliance officers use Operational Plans to target high risk offenders and known ‘black spots’. Operations are also conducted at key times at coastal and inland locations when large increases in angler activity are anticipated. All officers adopt a strong teamwork approach, with staff travelling to neighbouring districts to assist in operational patrols and at times of peak activity. The increased presence of Fisheries officers at these times is widely appreciated by anglers and the general community alike as it is an effective deterrent against illegal activity, and provides good opportunities to distribute advisory material and answer angler enquiries.

Education activities are also undertaken by Fisheries officers including via fishing clinics, response to enquiries, talks at fishing shows and through ongoing in-field advisory work. Officers also undertake duties in relation to aquaculture inspections and general environmental matters.