NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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Surfing NSW - Surfers Rescue Drone rollout showing a drones left side panel sticker wrap with

Merc’s legacy will be part of every boardrider club’s shark surveillance set up

- Sharks; Ministerial

The enduring legacy of much-loved Northern Beaches surfer and shark attack victim Mercury 'Merc' Psillakis is taking to the skies, with the Minns Government’s funded shark surveillance drones for local boardrider clubs set for take-off with a message to Merc on every drone.

Weed Botanist Dr Patricia Lu-Irving of Botanic Gardens of Sydney in the National Herbarium of New South Wales looking at a plant specimen

Power to the people: New virtual tool targets high-risk weeds

- Agriculture; Biosecurity; Research & Development

A new online tool developed by Botanic Gardens of Sydney and NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is set to elevate the state’s ability to detect and eradicate some of the world’s worst invasive plants.

Feedback sought on NSW Freshwater Impoundment Fish Stocking Plan

- Fishing

Recreational fishers are invited to have their say on which NSW dams and impoundments they would like to see stocked with their favourite freshwater fish species, as the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) develops its stocking program for the year ahead.

Annual winter fishing closure to protect Australian Bass and Estuary Perch starts 1 May

- Fishing

Recreational fishers are advised that the annual winter fishing closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch will take effect from Friday 1 May 2026, applying to all coastal rivers and estuaries across New South Wales.

Agtech bus travels to the Hunter and North Coast this May

- Agriculture; Research & Development

The Hunter and NSW North Coast will see the Farms of the Future mobile learning centre hit the road as it continues to travel around regional NSW to deliver practical learning on Agtech and on-farm connectivity solutions.

New Eradication Action Plan and $7 million funding boost to rebuild the NSW Cattle Tick Program

- Agriculture; Biosecurity; Research & Development; Ministerial

The Minns Labor Government is progressing the important work of the NSW Independent Biosecurity Commissioner into reviewing the state’s Cattle Tick Program by announcing a significant boost to the program, by investing $7 million to rebuild the program to better protect the state’s livestock industry.

Sydney restaurant served hefty fine for food safety breaches

- Agriculture; Biosecurity

The YDR Hospitality Group Pty Ltd and its director Jwalanta Khatiwoda have been fined $37500 and convicted of offences under the NSW Food Act 2003 in the Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Tocal Field Days to spotlight innovation, sustainability and the future of agriculture 1 –3 May

- Agriculture; Research & Development

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is proud to support Tocal Field Days, one of the state’s premier agricultural events, as it returns to the historic Tocal College site for its 42nd year on 1 – 3 May 2026.

Indigenous Land Management training builds community skills in cultural fire and ecological restoration

- Research & Development

A specialised Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (Indigenous Land Management) program is currently underway in Armidale, helping strengthen Aboriginal community capacity through hands‑on cultural fire training and on‑Country learning across NSW.

Biosecurity detectives and forensic science protect NSW from illegal water weed

- Biosecurity

Decisive action under the NSW Government’s New Weed Incursion Plan has prevented the spread of an invasive water weed, with NSW biosecurity officers intercepting and seizing yellow burrhead (Limnocharis flava) plants in the Illawarra this March.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au