Recreational fishers in NSW are invited to comment on proposed changes to fishing rules. The proposed new rules cover bag limits, size limits and fishing methods. The NSW Department of Primary Industries says the proposals are based upon community feedback and advice from expert anglers. With approximately one million people enjoying recreational fishing the department says the rules are about providing a sustainable fish stock.
The intention of the rules is said to support the opportunity for recreational fishers to catch and eat fresh fish while protecting stocks by prohibiting the sale of their catch or bartering the catch for in-kind services.The Department is working with the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council to meet the needs of Aboriginal cultural fishers.
The proposed rules include a general reduction in the bag limit from 20 to 10 for species that do not have a prescribed bag limit.
The proposed rules for specific saltwater species include:
Reduce the recreational bag limit from 20 to 10 for flathead (other than Dusky Flathead), Yellowfin and Black Bream, Tarwhine, Tailor, Trevallies, Luderick, and Blue Swimmer Crabs.
Reduce the bag limit from 10 to 5 for Dusky Flathead, Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Grey Morwong, Jackass Morwong.
Reduce the bag limit from 5 to 2 for Yellowtail Kingfish, Cobia, Blue-eye Trevalla, Banded Rockcod, Hapuku, Bass Groper, Gemfish, Spanish Mackerel and Spotted Mackerel, Wahoo, Mangrove Jack, Teraglin.
The proposed rules for specific freshwater species include extending the spawning closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in all NSW waters from 3 months to a 4 month period from 1 May to 31 August to protect early migrating bass from excessive fishing pressure.
Comments are sought on the management of trout and salmon stocks.
One specific proposal is to reduce the bag and possession limit for trout in general inland waters (areas not notified trout waters) from 10 and 20 to 5 and 10 respectively, so as to bring the limits in line with those for general trout streams and dams.
Other proposals include the prohibition of 'transshipping of fish species from one boat to another when on any waters by persons where the fishing activities that resulted in the catch are subject to NSW recreational fishing rules'.
This proposal is to prevent that transfer of a catch between boats as an illegal sale or as a way to get around bag limits.
Another proposal has been put forward by Game Council NSW to allow bow and arrow fishing of Carp.
Submissions can be made online or in writing up to July 31, 2013.
See the DPI discussion paper for details: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/464765/review_discussion_paper_web.pdf
