NSW GOVERNMENT CREATES RECREATIONAL FISHING HAVENS

November 19, 2001

As a result of extensive community consultation, the NSW Government will create two new recreational fishing havens in the Tweed and Richmond Rivers, the Minister for Fisheries, Eddie Obeid said today.

New recreational fishing havens will be created in a four square kilometre portion of the lower Tweed from the mouth of the river to Boyd's Bay Bridge and from south of Rocky Point east to Fingal Road, including the canal estates.

Mr Obeid said a recreational fishing haven will be created in an eight sq km stretch from the mouth of the Richmond River to Emigrant Creek. Commercial eel and crab trapping will still be permitted in Emigrant Creek.

"As a result of community consultation commercial fishing will continue unchanged in the Clarence River where the majority of submissions did not support new recreational fishing havens in these two areas."

While visiting the Tweed region, Mr Obeid said $1.7 million will be spent buying out approximately 17 commercial fishers who are currently licenced to work in these new recreational fishing havens. To date, 29 commercial fishers have registered their interest in being bought out from the region.

"These new fishing havens are great news for recreational fishers and anyone who cares about our marine environment."

"The buy-back of commercial fishing licences in these areas will start early next year."

"Reserving these areas for recreational fishing will benefit anglers and tourism and help protect fish stocks for future generations," Mr Obeid said.

"This is another major buy out financed by the new recreational fishing fee introduced last March."

"By late 2002, no commercial fishing will be permitted in these two locations.

"The NSW Government is committed to managing our fish stocks, protecting aquatic habitats and sharing the resource fairly between anglers and commercial fishers."

"We've asked the community to be part of this decision-making process and the response has been very positive."

"Last March, the Government received more than 2,600 nominations for areas along our coastline where commercial fishing could be bought out. From May to July of this year, NSW Fisheries encouraged more community debate by releasing detailed issues papers."

"More than 300 written submissions were received for the Tweed and Richmond Rivers and nearly 70 per cent of these wanted to see recreational fishing havens in this region."

"These results clearly indicate the community wants these areas reserved for recreational fishing. The new recreational fishing areas will create jobs in the tourism, boating and hospitality and retail industries." Mr Obeid said.

"More than 200 submissions were received for the Clarence region."

Mr Obeid said during the Clarence River community consultation meetings the majority of those attending did not support the creation of recreational fishing havens. A large number of recreational and commercial fishers in the Clarence were opposed to any changes in the way they currently share local fish.

More info on the Clarence River