Illegal Net seized after tip-off from public

Illegal Net seized after tip-off from public.

A 200m mesh net has been seized following information from the public. The net was recovered from the Batemans Marine Park in the Batemans Bay (Clyde River) Habitat Protection Zone.

Netting is prohibited in the Clyde River. The net was hidden below the surface and had no visible floats, the informant encountered the net when it became tangled in their prop and reported it immediately to the Fishers Watch Phoneline.

Unfortunately, the net contained a large quantity of fish, stingrays, and a cormorant.

Officers were able to remove the net and return many of the fish back to the water alive. Illegal and unattended nets and traps can be especially harmful to the environment, as they are able to continue catching and killing animals as long as they are in the water.

Thanks to a timely tip-off from the public the net was able to be removed before it could cause further harm.

DPI Fisheries Compliance has the responsibility for administering fisheries and marine estate laws governing the fisheries resources and marine parks of the state, which we do through our Fisheries Compliance Unit.

Fisheries Officers spend many hours on patrol, detecting and preventing illegal fishing and damage to fish habitats.

Everyone has a role in protecting fisheries in NSW. The public is encouraged to report illegal or suspected illegal fishing activity.

To report illegal fishing or abandoned gear call the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or report online bit.ly/38lU4OB