New bans on night fishing in Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes

NSW Fisheries have announced a ban on fishing at night around power station outlets in Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes, between Gosford and Newcastle on the NSW north coast.

Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said the new restrictions have been introduced to help protect juvenile fish stocks.

"Illegal fishing is a growing problem at the Munmorah, Eraring and Vales Point power station outlets, despite the very best efforts of NSW Fisheries officers," said Mr Dunn.

"We have received a number of complaints from the local community about illegal fishing happening at night around the outlets during the cooler months.

"Anglers have been catching juvenile fish, which congregate around the outlets where warm water is discharged.

"The new restrictions, which are now in place, prohibit anglers from fishing at these locations - from boats and on the shore - between 6pm to 6am from
1 May to 31 August each year.

"NSW Fisheries will be putting up signs to advise anglers of the closures. These will be in place by the end of next week.

"We will also be conducting community advisory sessions around the power station outlets for the next couple of months to explain the closure to fishers, and NSW Fisheries officers will be stepping up their patrols."
Mr Dunn said any fisher found fishing illegally within the closed areas could face serious penalties.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Kristina Resanceff on 02 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375.