Local fisherman fined more than $5000

A 65-year-old man from the Griffith area has been fined and ordered to pay costs, totalling more than $5000, after being convicted of being in possession of illegal fishing nets.

The man was yesterday convicted in the Condobolin Local Court for being in possession of seven gill nets adjacent to the Lachlan River near Kiacatoo in October last year.

Gill nets are banned in NSW because of the serious risk that they pose to the long term sustainability of fish stocks.

The net, which is shaped like a square, is normally set in still water and basically catches anything that is moving in the river or lake. Fish are generally captured by their gills, hence the net’s name.

The man, who is a first time fisheries offender, was fined $2500 and also ordered to pay court and legal costs of $2685.

NSW DPI fisheries officers depend on receiving accurate and timely information from the public to help detect and deter illegal fishing.

All fishers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to their local DPI Fisheries office or by calling the Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.