According to the information Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Officers have taken up a two day compliance operation on the State’s Mid North Coast targeting the unlawful use of crab and fish traps has resulted in the seizure of one hundred and seventy illegal crab traps, with hundreds of crabs and fish returned to the water alive. NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said the Wallis Lake operation earlier this month, involved ten I&I NSW Fisheries Officers, including assistance from the Special Operations and Investigations Group.
He added that this operation focused on the unlawful use of fish and crab traps by both recreational and commercial users. He also told that I&I NSW Fisheries Officers checked more than 520 crab and fish traps and hoop nets, with 171 illegally used or unmarked traps and nets found by officers.
The outcome of the operation is that more than 260 crabs and fish were released back into the water alive. Legal proceedings will now commence against a number of commercial fishers for offences including unlawful use of traps, unlicensed fishing and contravening the relevant fishery Share Management Plan.
I&I NSW Fisheries Compliance Director Glenn Tritton the rules are in place to ensure we have a sustainable crab fishery that is shared by all fishers. He opined that up to five hoop or lift nets and one crab trap of legal size per person is allowed in areas open to this method of fishing. The NSW Government takes fisheries crimes very seriously, and patrols will continue on the mid north coast over the summer period.
