Commercial fishermen, NSW DPI say mullet run in Port Stephens is a sustainable fishing practice

Recent discussion on social media and in the Examiner's letters page has prompted some professional fishers to come out in defence for the practice, which they say is a highly sustainable industry that provides jobs, financial investment and fresh seafood to local and international markets.

Professional fishing, including the annual harvest of sea mullet - known locally as the mullet run - in the Port has been a mainstay for more than a century; a tradition that is carried on today by fishing families like the Monins, the Tarrants, the Glens and the Richardsons.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) describes the fishing of mullet, using beach seine techniques, as a highly selective and effective form of commercial fishing that results in low levels of bycatch and very low to nil impacts on fish habitat.

"The commercial harvest of sea mullet from ocean beaches during their annual spawning migration is part of the NSW Ocean Hauling Fishery, which has been subjected to environmental assessments to ensure the activity is sustainable and sea mullet is classified as a sustainably fished stock."

For the majority of Port residents this annual activity between the months of March to May has become a usual sight.

For some visitors, however, the netting of fish in such high numbers can be confronting, prompting at least one observer to express his "disgust in seeing thousands of live fish being dragged up the beach in nets by people driving utes" ('Fish haul causes shock', Letters, April 22).

The letter attracted comment on social media and opened debate on the practice of net fishing on Port beaches, most prominently seen along Fingal Bay, Birubi, One Mile and Boat Harbour.

It also galvanised the pro fishermen eager to defend their livelihood.

The DPI spokesperson said that around 3000 tonnes of sea mullet are harvested by NSW commercial fishers annually.

"This is an annual spawning event so signage is not erected at local beaches. It is, however, a condition of a commercial fisher's endorsement that their motor vehicle is clearly marked with identification."

For third generation fisho Tom Richardson, of Boat Harbour, the identification signs are a necessary addition to the business model for modern day fishermen.

His father Bill Richardson was a professional fishermen and the family which has a long history in Boat Harbour has a street named in their honour.

"This is not a sport, this is our livelihood and we want to better educate people about how we go about our workdays. We are members of the hauling fishery, which promotes sustainable management and the responsible harvest of our catch," he said.

Mr Richardson said that the majority of the mullet they catch was exported to overseas markets or kept for lobster bait.

"The number of fishing crews are dwindling but we believe this industry has a long term viable and sustainable future in Port Stephens."

Educating newcomers on the activities of commercial fishers was very important, according to the Port's recreational fishing guru John 'Stinker' Clarke, as there was much to learn.

"The annual mullet run has been going on as long as records have been kept and I assume long before that," he said.

"Commercial fishing crews along the entire coastline net the fish for the market and this fishing activity has become a tourist attraction with crowds gathering on the beaches to watch the fishermen at work.

"To some, who are unaware of such activity, the netting of fish in such numbers can be quite confronting and difficult to understand. It is closely monitored by NSW Fisheries and their scientists who have declared that the practice is sustainable.

"The size of the mullet schools that pass here year after year is testimony to that. Over the 36 years that I have written some 1800 weekly fishing articles, the local community has become increasingly well-educated on the subject.

"History tells us that Port Stephens was established on commercial fishing, oyster growing and lobstering."

ALSO READ: Something Fishy | Questions about the mullet run

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