Inland Fisheries Officers going above and beyond

It is well known that persons who engage in serious illegal fishing activities on inland rivers including the use of set lines, gill nets, cross lines and fish traps go to extreme lengths to hide their unlawful activities from both other fishers and from Fisheries Officers.

In response, our Fisheries Officers also go to extreme lengths to detect and dismantle illegal fishing operations. Fisheries Officers spend hours searching for set illegal fishing gear in remote areas. They will 4WD, boat, walk/hike, kayak or even swim their way into an area to carry out the necessary work required to protect our native fish stocks.

Fisheries Officers will show up in all kinds of weather and at any time of the day or night.

If you choose to participate in illegal fishing activities on inland rivers you maybe subject to a surveillance operation where Fisheries Officers gather the evidence required to carry out their duties and interrupt illegal activity.

If you have any information regarding illegal fishing activities we encourage you to contact the fishers watch hotline on 1800 043 536 or report online at https://bit.ly/3Hwy1A