NSW fisheries officers cast their net to Melbourne

More than 2,500 Victorian fishers are now better informed about fishing in NSW following a successful campaign in Melbourne to inform Victorians of the rules and regulations that apply north of the border.

Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers from Albury and Deniliquin headed to the Melbourne Fishing and Boating Expo in late August to educate Victorian fishers about licence requirements and regulations when fishing in NSW waters.

"We attend this event each year and this year visitor numbers to the DPI stand were up by around 150, to a total of more than 2,500 over the three days of the Expo," Mr Tritton said.

"It is pleasing to see so many Victorian fishers wanting to do the right thing when in NSW.

"We would rather see visiting fishers complying with NSW regulations than spend our time taking action against those unwittingly breaking the rules.

"Fisheries officers at this year’s Expo distributed more than 1,300 fishing guides, 1,100 adhesive fish rulers, 600 Murray crayfish measures, 120 local fishing guides and numerous other publications."

Mr Tritton said compliance operations in the past have shown that many Victorians fishing in NSW waters are not aware that the rules can be different over the border.

"NSW waters such as the Murray River, especially around Yarrawonga and Echuca, are highly popular with Victorians targeting native finfish," he said.

"Patrols along the Murray over this year’s June long weekend resulted in around 900 fishers being checked, with 122 offences being detected and 48 penalty notices being issued.

"Although 86% of those checked were found to be doing the right thing, we would like to see that compliance rate increased.

"NSW fisheries officers will provide advice and information to all fishers during patrols in border areas to ensure they know the rules in this state and they comply with those rules.

"However, fisheries officers will continue to enforce NSW legislation and take compliance action against any fishers flouting NSW regulations by fishing illegally, either intentionally or through ignorance."

Information on NSW fishing rules can be found in the NSW Recreational Fishing Guides available from DPI Fisheries offices, online, at fishing licence agents and bait and tackle shops.

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