On September 3 this year, the NSW Government introduced important changes to bag and size limits for the State's fresh and saltwater recreational and commercial fishers.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director Wild Harvest Fisheries Management, Anthony Hurst, said bag and size limits are reviewed every five years to ensure a sustainable future for high quality recreational fishing in NSW.  The size limits also apply to commercial fishing.

"The changes reflect the findings of scientific assessments, the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, the Palmer inquiry into illegal fishing, advice from expert committees of fishers and more than 3300 public submissions," said Hurst.

"The NSW DPI will run a three-month education and advisory campaign in a bid to ensure all anglers are aware of the new rules. This will include DPI officers and FishCare volunteers talking to people out on the water, at boat ramps and popular fishing spots. 

"A full list of the changes can be found on the DPI website, by contacting your local DPI fisheries office or by phoning 1300 550 474. Information will also be available from recreational fishing fee agents (most tackle shops)," Hurst said.

Around 800 new signs will be erected outlining the changes to saltwater rules, and a yet to be determined quantity of signs for freshwater changes will also be erected over the coming months. In the interim, stickers will be placed over existing signs to reflect the new information. 

Thousands of sticky measuring rulers and information flyers have also been produced outlining the changes; these will be distributed to fishers as part of the education/advisory campaign.

"All of the changes will be included in the new 2007/2008 Saltwater and Freshwater fishing guides, which will be available in October. DPI and the Recreational Fishing Trust produce the guides free of charge," said Hurst.

"The NSW recreational fishing sector is one of the largest in Australia and contributes around $500 million to the NSW economy. It's estimated that around one million people throw a line in NSW each year.

"These changes are about working with the community to progressively improve fishing rules to ensure the future sustainability and viability of our valuable fisheries resources," Hurst said.

FRESHWATER CHANGES
The changes to freshwater fishing include:

• Leaving a line unattended will now be prohibited. This is to reduce the injury, stress and death of fish and invertebrates that result from being caught on unattended lines. However, the distance a person can be from each line will increase from 10m to 50m.
  
  
• Increasing the minimum legal length for Murray cod, to provide better protection for immature fish. The current legal length will increase to 55cm after December 1, 2007 and to 60cm after December 1, 2008.
  
  
• A new closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch will be from June 1 to August 31 to allow the fish to spawn.
  
  
• Simplifying the trout water classifications to two categories - artificial fly and lure only waters, and general trout waters.
  
  
• The bag limit for unlisted native fish, which previously had no limit, will now be set at 10.

SALTWATER CHANGES
The changes to saltwater fishing include:

• Introducing a new minimum legal length of 30cm for pearl perch.
  
  
• Increasing the minimum legal length for yellowtail kingfish from 60cm to 65cm.
  
  
• Increasing the minimum legal length for luderick (blackfish) from 25cm to 27cm.
  
  
• Introducing a minimum legal length of 60cm for dolphin fish (mahi-mahi). Additionally, only one fish may measure over 110cm.
  
  
• Introducing a new combined bag limit of 20 for bream and tarwhine.
  
  
• A bag limit reduction from 20 to 10 will now apply to bonito, dolphin fish, octopus, rubberlip and jackass morwong.
  
  
• A bag limit reduction from two to one will now apply to highly prized billfish species, including sailfish and swordfish. A bag limit of one will also apply to each species of marlin. Reducing the bag limit still allows for a trophy fish to be taken.
  
  
• A minimum legal length of 30cm will be introduced for blue groper. These fish mature as females between 24 and 34cm, and change sex to males at about 60cm. The new size limit will protect females prior to maturity.
  
  
• The legal length for rubberlip morwong has been increased by 2cm to 30cm and the bag limit reduced to 10.
  
  
• The minimum legal length for red morwong increases from 25cm to 30cm. This is to improve protection of small fish in shallow water.
  
  
• A combined bag limit of five applies to all shark and ray species, including only one tiger, mako, blue shark, hammerhead and whaler species. A zero bag limit now applies to wobbegong sharks.

For a full list of changes, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au