NSW Department of Primary Industries

Fisheries
Enhancement

In 2021-22 the following priority funding programs
were delivered by the Recreational Fishing Trusts
to enhance recreational fishing opportunities in
coastal and inland regions across NSW.

Priority Area Snapshot

5.3
million

Fish stocked

34
FADS

Offshore FADs deployed

1
new reef

Offshore artificial reef installed

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)

Fish aggregating devices are large buoys deployed in strategic positions along the NSW coast during the warmer months each year. They provide reliable offshore fishing locations where fishers can target popular pelagic fish over spring, summer and autumn.

Key achievements:

  • 34 offshore FADs deployed between Tweed Heads and Eden
  • Expansion of the NSW FAD network with new FADs deployed in Port Stephens and Hat Head.

Offshore artificial reefs

The reef building program was developed to enhance offshore recreational fishing opportunities by deploying structures that provide intricate habitats for a variety of species.

Key achievements:

  • Installation of the Eurobodalla offshore artificial reef
  • Two new offshore artificial reefs identified for the Central Coast and Forster, with approvals and planning already underway.

Fish Stocking

Fish stocking in NSW involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into approved sites across the State. Stocking events in NSW are carried out under permits ensuring appropriate environmental controls.

Key achievements:

  • Record production and stocking of 1.268 million Murray Cod at DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre
  • More than 370,000 Australian Bass (produced by DPI’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute) stocked into popular fisheries including Glenbawn Dam, Tallowa Dam and Lake St Clair
  • 76,500 Dusky Flathead stocked into five key Recreational Fishing Havens along the NSW coast
  • More than 2.7 million salmonids (produced by DPI’s Gaden and Dutton trout hatcheries) stocked into lakes, rivers and streams across key NSW trout fishing locations
  • 1,200 advanced Mulloway fingerlings (produced by DPI’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute) successfully released in Lake Macquarie.

2021-22 Annual Report

Income and expenditure from the Trusts are subject to an annual audit and regular announcements are made about licence fee expenditure. DPI also carries out periodic surveys of recreational fishing licence holders to ensure that the broad funding priorities are in line with angler expectations.

Download the 2021-22 Annual Report

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