Tip-off may lead to eel poaching prosecution

Thanks to a tip-off from the public, several charges are being considered against a Buladelah man after he was caught illegally trapping eels twice in the space of two weeks, the Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said today.

Mr Dunn said the first offence took place on May 13 when the 54-year-old man was caught in possession of 37 eels on a private property on the Manning River.

"Following that incident, NSW Fisheries issued a media release requesting information about suspected eel poaching activities," said Mr Dunn.

"As a result, we received information from the public and on May 28, after a two-day surveillance operation, the man who had been previously apprehended by our officers on May 13 was again found using eel traps illegally.

"On this occasion, he was found in possession of 34 eels and four traps. He denied capturing 83 other eels, which were found nearby."

"The eels were freed and the man's eel traps and fishing boat seized."

Mr Dunn said only commercial fishers with the appropriate license and permits can catch eels and this man is not licensed.

Mr Dunn warned that persons convicted of illegally trapping eels could be fined up to $11,000 or sentenced to a maximum of three-months imprisonment or both.

"Information from the public helps us put a stop to illegal fishing activities and protect valuable fish stocks and I would like to thank the people who volunteered information in this case," said Mr Dunn.

NSW Fisheries is keen to hear from people with information about eel poaching activities - contact your local NSW Fisheries office or the Fishers Watch Hotline 1800 043 536. All information received will be treated as confidential.

Media inquiries: Nick Bleszynski (02) 8437 4915 or 0419 185 375.