Fishing News

Kingie recapture demonstrates dynamic movement

A kingfish originally tagged in Victoria has recently been recaptured. Sydney based charter operation, Raptor Fishing Charters, recaptured the kingie while fishing offshore of Sydney on 2 June 2021. Skipper, Emerson Spina measured the fish at 109cm! A search of the Game Fish Tagging database revealed that the fish was originally released only 57 days earlier on 6 April 2021 …

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Tip off leads to seizure of tailor

Fisheries Officers responded to a Fishers Watch report on 23 June 2021 where a known offender was found in possession of 67 tailor on board a boat in the Swansea channel. The fisher’s catch and esky was seized on inspection. The daily bag limit for tailor is 10 and the possession limit is 20. Fisheries Officers followed the boat back …

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Tagged Lake Macquarie bream reveals its secrets!

About a decade ago, scientists from DPI Fisheries were researching how recreational fish species were using the Lake Macquarie artificial reef. This work involved implanting internal acoustic tags (as well as external T-bar tags) in 39 yellowfin bream (see indicative tagging images) caught in various areas around the lake and then using acoustic receivers to track their movements and behaviour. …

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Illegal intertidal shellfish collector fined

A member of the public has been found guilty and fined $1300 for illegal intertidal shellfish collecting and failing to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at Port Kembla after information was received from the Fishers Watch hotline. 1,702 Molluscs were found concealed in the rear of a vehicle after it was searched by a Fisheries Officer. Possession limit for …

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Fines for setlines and mutilation of Murray cod

On 15 and 16 May 2021, Fisheries Officers were conducting a routine patrol of the Lachlan River and Goobang Creek near Condoblin in Central West NSW where they located a number of unattended handlines set in Goobang Creek. Surveillance was carried out on the lines and two males were spoken to in relation to the matter. As a result of …

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NSW FADs season draws to a close

It’s hard to believe but the warm water fishing season is rapidly drawing to a close. Cold fronts are beginning to rear their heads along the NSW coast, bringing westerly winds and a slowing of the East Australian Current. Coinciding with this change of season, the retrieval of NSW DPI’s network of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) for winter maintenance has commenced …

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Fines for Murray crayfish theft

Two men have been issued $6400 in fines plus court costs after being found guilty of Murray Crayfish theft. In response to information received, NSW DPI Fisheries Officer’s apprehended two men on the 17 June 2020 following an extensive surveillance operation of their fishing activities on the Murray River near Barooga. Officers located a large number of Murray Crayfish in …

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Jail sentence imposed for repeat abalone offender

On 11 March 2021, a South Coast man was sentenced to a term of nine months’ imprisonment to be served by way of intensive correction in the community and ordered to pay a total of $6,750 in fines, costs and additional monetary penalties after being found guilty of trafficking abalone and shucking abalone unlawfully. The man – a repeat abalone …

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What do NSW DPI Fisheries do with seized gear and fish?

Each year our officers conduct around 50,000 checks of recreational and commercial fishers leading to the detection of about 7,000 offences. Our officers seize finfish and shellfish when they have been taken contrary to NSW fishing laws and fishing gear may be seized when it’s used to break those laws. Procedures for fish and fishing gear that is seized: – …

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Mackerel frames wanted – NSW DPI Fisheries

mackerel frames

NSW DPI Fisheries wants your mackerel frames. With the water beginning to clear along the NSW north coast after a long wet summer, many pelagic fish are starting to return to the inshore waters, and the NSW DPI wants your mackerel frames. Anglers are starting to catch spanish and spotted mackerel once again, and the Research Angler Program is keen …

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