Illegal Pipi fishing not tolerated

Two women and a man have been fined over $12,600 after being caught illegally harvesting pipis at Seven Mile Beach, near Gerroa, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) announced today.

Glenn Tritton, DPI Manager, Fisheries Compliance, said the women, aged 31 and 33 from Canley Heights, and a 36-year-old man from Bonnyrigg were caught taking over 3000 pipis in November last year.

"Fisheries Officers saw the them removing pipis from the beach. When approached in the carpark, they had 3204 pipis, which were later returned to the beach," Mr Tritton said.

"In NSW, anglers can only use pipis for bait, and it is an offence to remove them more than 50 metres beyond the high tide mark. There is also a bag limit of 50 pipis per angler.

Last week, all three defendants faced Nowra local court, and were fined a total of $12,200. They were also ordered to pay an additional $441 in court costs.

There are important health concerns relating to the consumption of recreationally harvested pipis. NSW Food Authority and NSW DPI have produced a fact sheet on recreationally harvested shellfish. For more information please visit NSW Food Authority.

There is a small commercial fishery for pipis in NSW. Tests are carried out to ensure commercially harvested pipis are safe to eat.

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

MEDIA CONTACTS: Doug Chapman on 8437 4915 or 0408 484 176