Know your aquatic reserve fishing rules

Anglers should make sure they know the rules about fishing in the aquatic reserve at Port Stephens during the coming school holidays.

Several anglers have recently received warnings from Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Officers about fishing in the Fly Point - Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve.

“There are only two areas of this reserve where line fishing is allowed,” said Dr Tracey MacDonald DPI Senior Manager, Marine Parks.

“Those areas are the two jetties within the reserve at Little Beach and from the beach between these two jetties. All fishing is strictly prohibited in the rest of the reserve.

“The collection of all marine organisms whether dead or alive, and empty shells is also prohibited.”

Dr MacDonald said DPI wanted to notify anglers about the reserve so they could avoid a $500 fine for fishing in the wrong place.

“DPI Fisheries Officers will be on the look out for anglers breaching rules within the aquatic reserve during the holidays,” said Dr MacDonald.

Fly Point - Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve is located in Port Stephens and covers an area of about 70 hectares. It lies between Fly Point and Nelson Head and extends seaward from the mean high water mark out to 500m.

The marine environment of the aquatic reserve is diverse and includes an array of steep submarine cliffs, rocky reefs extending offshore to a sandy channel occupied by stretches of seagrass beds. These are subject to strong tidal currents, ensuring a high level of water quality within the area.

“There are seahorses, pipefish, pygmy leatherjackets, small wrasses, tiny gurnards, flatheads, molluscs, urchins, and a variety of nudibranchs found in the reserve,” said Dr MacDonald.

“In deeper water sponges, soft corals, ascidians, hydroids and tunicates dominate.

“Each summer, as the water warms up, juvenile tropical fish appear.”

These include butterfly fish, damsel fish, wrasses and the butterfly cod. With the exception of the butterfly cod, these species are only short-term residents and usually disappear by winter or spring.

“Aquatic reserves are permanent reserves established to protect biodiversity and are representative of samples of our marine life and habitats,” Dr MacDonald said.

“They can also be established to protect important habitat and nursery areas and protected species, or for research and education.

Anglers are also required to hold a recreational fishing licence which can be obtained from most bait and tackle shops and some service stations and convenience stores.

Recreational fishing licences can also be obtained online or by phoning 1300 369 365.

Media contact: Howard Spencer 02 6656 8800 or mobile 0428 696 672