The NSW Department of Primary Industries is urging anglers to consider where they are dropping a line after issuing 26 penalty notices totaling $11,200 and 22 warnings to people found fishing in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park sanctuary zone.
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The fines and warnings were issued in just two days, January 5 and 6. Fisheries officers took action against occupants of 15 boats.
"Offences detected included harm or attempt to harm fish in a sanctuary zone, being in possession of fishing equipment in certain circumstances within those zones, and failure to pay the recreational fishing fee," Dr Andrew Moriarty, DPI's acting director of fisheries compliance, said.
"A number of fish were also seized and returned to the water alive. Illegal fishing activity has a detrimental impact on protected habitats, plants and animals.
"The Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park contains a diverse range of habitats which all support distinct groups of plants and animals, and it is disappointing to see fishers breaking the rules in these areas considering how widely the rules are available."
Marine Park fishing rules are available from the NSW FishSmart App, the Avenza Maps app, the NSW DPI website, and printed advisory materials at tackle stores, NSW DPI Fisheries Offices and major boat ramps and swim spots within NSW Marine Parks.
Report illegal fishing in marine parks by calling NSW DPI on 1800 043 536 or by completing an online report at dpi.nsw.gov.au.
