Australia: A four-month fisheries compliance operation in the Hunter and Central Coast regions in New South Wales (NSW) has resulted in the detection of 57 offences relating to illegal fishing at the hot water outlet canals of power stations.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers targeted the Eraring and Vales Point power stations on Lake Macquarie and Munmorah power station on Budgewoi Lake, on the Central Coast. The operation involved 11 fisheries officers from the Hunter, Central Coast and Port Stephens Districts and the State-wide Operations and Investigations Group. Police officers from the NSW Marine Area Command also provided valuable assistance during the operation.
According to DPI director (fisheries compliance) Glenn Tritton, fisheries officers detected a range of offences including taking fish from waters protected from recreational fishing, possessing fish illegally taken, and possessing prohibited sized fish. Tritton said closures were in place to protect the large numbers of juvenile fish that aggregate in and around the warm waters of the outlet canals, and safeguard the long-term viability of fish stocks in these waterways.
"The canals and adjacent waters are closed to all methods of fishing from May 1 to August 31 each year between the hours of 6pm and 6am," said Tritton. "On the spot fines of $500 apply to those found to be fishing or in possession of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to the closed waters."
