Mildura man fined for using illegal fishing net
Note: This content is stored on an archive website and may not be current or accurate. Contact us to clarify.
A 44-year-old Mildura man who pleaded guilty to four fishing offences was fined $800 and his boat was forfeited to the Crown in Wentworth Magistrates’ Court on 12 October.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Supervising Fisheries Officer Peter Tilbrook said on 3 August a NSW DPI fisheries officer apprehended the man who was using a gill net in the Darling River approximately 22 kilometres upstream of Wentworth, NSW.
‘The man’s boat, fish and fishing gear were seized and he was subsequently charged with using the gill net, possessing fish illegally taken, failing to pay a fishing fee and failing to mark his set fishing gear,’ he said.
‘Gill nets are banned in NSW because of the serious risk that they pose to the long term sustainability of key recreational fisheries in NSW.
‘NSW DPI regards offences involving the use of gill nets as very serious and the maximum penalty is $22,000 or imprisonment for six months or both. People using gill nets also run the risk of having their vessel and vehicle seized in conjunction with the offence.’
NSW DPI fisheries officers depend on receiving accurate and timely information from the public to help detect and deter illegal fishing.
All anglers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to their local DPI Fisheries office or by calling the Fishers’ Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536.
Anglers are reminded that they need to have a recreational fishing licence to fish in all NSW waters, unless they are otherwise exempt and that they must carry it with them while fishing.
Fishing licences can be bought on the Internet at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, at more than 1200 agents including boat and tackle stores, NSW Kmart Stores, Shell Select service stations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, or by calling 1300 369 365.
< fishing freshwater and saltwater in published are rules recreational State’s the of Details limits. bag particular sport, their govern that aware be to needed also anglers said Tilbrook>The 2005/06 guides have just been released and are available from most bait and tackle shops, recreational fishing licence agents and NSW DPI (Fisheries) offices. Copies can also be viewed online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.