Changes to recreational fishing rules in NSW, have been announced by Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson.
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“The changes have been made following extensive consultation and taking into account feedback from thousands of recreational fishers," Oxley MP Andrew Stoner said.
A total of 16 changes to bag and size limits and gear changes have been made.
The changes will apply to recreational saltwater and freshwater fishers from November 3, 2014.
Key changes include:
- bag limit reduced from 20 to 10 for Flathead species (other than Dusky Flathead), Bream and Tarwhine, Tailor, Blue Swimmer Crab, Trevallies and Luderick. The possession limit of 20 will remain for these species;
- catch and release requirement (maximum size limit) introduced for Murray cod caught at more than 80 cm (the current minimum size limit of 60cm remains);
- spawning closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch extended to four months to protect early migrating bass. Catch and release will be permitted during the closure;
- number of witches hats/hoop nets/lift nets reduced from five to four and increase the number of crab traps from one to two in saltwater.
- change of marking requirements of recreational nets and traps to specify trap type, fisher’s initial and surname, year of birth and postcode;
- fishers will now be permitted to use five hoop nets to take yabbies in Lakes Lyell, Lake Wallace and Googong Dam.
Recreational anglers will have time to adjust to the new rules, with an advisory period of three months from the commencement date applying.