Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Abusive fisher on the Manning River gets an expensive lesson!
On the 28th September 2021 Fisheries Officers were patrolling the Manning River in the Wallis Lake District on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. Fisheries Officers observed two illegal nets, one cast net and one monofilament net, on the banks of the river.
While seizing the nets a man came down and tried to take them back from officers claiming they were his nets. The male refused to give his details to officers and attempted to leave the location after becoming verbally abusive. The male fisher was subsequently arrested by officers and prosecuted for being in possession of the illegal nets and also failing to provide his details.
The man faced Forster Local Court on the 28th October 2022 facing three charges in relation to the incident. His Honour agreed that the man’s conduct was “aggressive and threatening” , and thought it was “selfish” of him to think he was entitled to use these kinds of nets.
The man was found guilty on all three charges and ordered to pay a total of $10,600 in fines and court costs. This result sends a strong message that being in possession of illegal nets, becoming aggressive and failing to provide your details to Fisheries Officers will not be tolerated and may see you arrested and provided with an expensive lesson before the courts.
To report illegal fishing, call the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536 or report online at https://fal.cn/3fMUz.
For more information about permitted and prohibited items in NSW visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational
NSW is renowned for having some of the best fishing locations of anywhere in the country and recreational fishing is enjoyed by one million anglers every year. When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee.
