Port Stephens commercial fishers face illegal fishing charges

Two Port Stephens commercial fishers will be prosecuted after they were caught illegally using a net at Jimmy's Beach near Tea Gardens, the Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said today.

Mr Dunn said NSW Fisheries officers also seized the men's boat and more than 260kg of fish caught in the nets.

"As a result of this surveillance operation, the two men, aged 39 and 27, will be summonsed to appear in court on illegal fishing charges," Mr Dunn said.

"The 200m mesh net had been left unattended in the water for nine hours.

"NSW Fisheries officers questioned the men after seeing them retrieve the net around 4am on Wednesday, May 12.

"In this part of Port Stephens, commercial fishers can only use mesh nets for one hour and must not leave them unattended.

"The men will face an additional charge because the net had been set in a way that obstructed the movement of fish.

"The seized catch comprised 250kg of bream, 7.5kg of blue swimmer crab and 4kg of luderick.

"The maximum fines for these offences range between $11,000 and $110,000."

Mr Dunn said the case showed NSW Fisheries officers are constantly on the lookout for illegal fishing activity.

"Our fish stocks are a community owned resource and NSW Fisheries is working to protect this resource for future generations," he said.

"Anyone with information on illegal fishing activity is urged to contact their local NSW Fisheries office or the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536."

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Eric Aubert on 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375.