Two men, aged 58 and 49, have been fined more than $8,000 and banned from fishing for five years after being caught using illegal traps on the Macquarie River near Warren in NSW.
The two men were apprehended on June 27 following a covert surveillance operation involving NSW DPI Fisheries officers and NSW Police Rural Crime Unit officers.
Director for Fisheries compliance, Dr Andrew Moriarty said that seven fish traps, nine Golden Perch, a Murray Cod, a grapnel and a boat, motor and trailer were seized from the men during the operation.
“Both men faced Court on charges under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 for unlawfully using traps, possessing fish illegally taken as well as using excess and unattended lines,” said Dr Moriarty.
“The 49-year-old Dubbo man was ordered to pay $3,300 in fines and costs and issued two 7-month terms of imprisonment to be served by way of intensive correction order.
“He was also given a Prohibition Order preventing him from fishing in NSW inland waters west of the Great Dividing Range for a period of five years.
“The prohibition order also prohibits the man being in possession of any rigged hand lines, being in possession of specified inland fish species, being in possession of nets or traps and being on board any boat that has fishing gear or being used to carry out any fishing activities in inland waters over the five-year period.
“The 58-year-old Wongarbon man was ordered to pay $4,900 in fines and costs.”
Dr Moriarty advised that this sort of behaviour would not be tolerated, and said Fisheries Officers would continue to crack down on illegal fishing activity.
“The blatant disregard for fisheries rules and regulations has serious consequences especially if you are a repeat offender. Not being able to fish for five years is a significant impost for anyone that likes to fish, plus there’s the added deterrent of hefty penalties if these individuals are found breaching the prohibition order.
He said the maximum penalty for breaching a prohibition order is $22,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment.
“Fisheries rules and regulations are in place to protect and conserve fish stocks and fishing opportunities for current and future generations, and this type of illegal fishing detracts from all the hard work fisheries officers, and the community do to ensure access to healthy fish stocks for the community of NSW,” said Dr Moriarty.
To report illegal fishing, call the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536 or report online via the FishSmart NSW app or at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
