Original story at the Daily Liberal
FOUR men have been issued thousands of dollars in fines after pleading guilty to illegally targeting native inland species in the Macquarie River in 2012.
The four men, from Gunnedah, have each been fined $2500 in addition to $600 in court costs for using illegal fishing methods to target native inland species, including using excess hand-held lines, prohibited baits and possessing a number of prohibited fishing items.
The charges stem back to February 2012, where fisheries officers caught the men while conducting patrols of the Macquarie River near Warren.
Officers apprehended the men, aged 20 to 29, and seized 90 rigged handlines, 11 drift lines, a monofilament cast net, seven prohibited traps and 23 live carp.
Two of the men also pleaded guilty to not paying the recreational fishing fee.
Department of Primary Industries fisheries supervisor Jason Baldwin said the conviction sends a clear message about the use of illegal and excessive fishing gear, for those who choose to flout the law.
“It is against the law to set and leave hand lines unattended, fishers must be within 50 metres and within line of sight of their fishing lines,” Mr Baldwin said.
“Fishers must know the rules and pay the recreational fishing fee before you hit the water or pay the price.”
To report illegal fishing in New South Wales, visit your nearest fisheries office, report online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report-illegal-activity or call the Fishers Watch Phoneline in 1800 043 536.
To report unlawful fishing in Queensland, call the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116 (toll free within Queensland) or visit http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/services/illegal-fishing-activities.
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