Man to be prosecuted for illegal fish farming on Darling River

A 51-year-old man from the State's far west will be prosecuted for farming Murray cod and golden perch without a permit on his property on the Darling River.

Acting Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Paul O'Connor, said the man has had a boat seized and is also facing charges for using illegal fishing gear.

"The man was being interviewed on his property regarding drum nets and fish traps when NSW Fisheries officers noticed two ponds covered in netting," Mr O'Connor said.

"The ponds were stocked with up to 1600 golden perch and Murray cod that NSW Fisheries officers believe he was intending to sell at a later date."

Mr O'Connor said landholders are allowed to keep fish in their farm dams for their own personal use. They are not, however, permitted to sell the fish without an aquaculture permit.

"Illegal fishing and black market sales of fish in NSW threaten valuable fish stocks, undermine licensed commercial fishers and the regional economies they support, and can endanger public health.

"Illegal fishers have no regard for the ongoing sustainability of our fisheries, nor for preserving the environmental values of our State."

The fish in the two ponds have been quarantined pending the outcome of the prosecution.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing or aquaculture activity, or who believes they may have been sold fish from an illegal aquaculture operation, should contact their local NSW Fisheries office, or the Fishers Watch Line on 1800 043 536. All information received will be treated as confidential.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Eric Aubert on (02) 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375.