Concern about commercial fishing

NSW Fisheries have put out a booklet showing the proposed changes to our current recreational fishing laws.

I have read it thoroughly and agree with all the proposed changes.

Just about all the fishing clubs on the Peninsula follow the inter-clubs bag limits and sizes, which are more strict than the new laws that are about to come out.

We already adhere to bag limits and size limits on flounder and leather jackets which NSW Fisheries are just bringing in.

I agree that the size on mullaway should increase to 75cm as this particular species like barramundi don't turn female until they get to this size.

I would also like to see the big jewfish returned to the water to enable the breeding process to have a chance.

I find that most recreational fishermen are doing the right thing.

What I am concerned about is the commercial fishing in the area, where weed beds are being ripped out of the sand and leaving the sea bed baron.

This is happening between Lion Island and Umina Beach.

The weed beds are important as they give the smaller fish somewhere to hide, feed and grow.

I am also concerned about the number of traps that are used by the commercial fisherman which reap heaps of fish, many undersize.

I witnessed a cull of blue nose bream of massive proportions being taken out of five traps along the shore of the Hawkesbury River.

These traps were only 10 metres apart and took up the whole length of The Vines, which made it unfishable for the recreational fisherman because you lose your tackle on them.

Each trap was about 1.2 metres square and were half full of bream, none of which were returned to the water.

This was definitely an overkill.

While we were fishing the same area, we caught one bream.

I think they need to look at who is really doing the damage.

We return the small ones back so they can grow and the commercial fisherman comes along and trawls them up anyway.

They return them to the water because they are undersize, but they are dead from drowning in the nets.

Lisa Louden Ettalong Beach War Memorial Fishing Club