NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Fisheries
Enhancement

In 2020-21 the following priority funding programs
were delivered by the Recreational Fishing Trusts
to enhance recreational fishing opportunities in
coastal and inland regions across NSW.

Image by Al McGlashan

PRIORITY AREA SNAPSHOT

5.3 million

Fish stocked

32 FADS

Offshore FADs deployed

1 NEW REEF

Offshore artificial reef installed

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)

Fish aggregating devices are large buoys deployed in strategic positions along the NSW coast during the warmer months each year. They provide reliable offshore fishing locations where fishers can target popular pelagic fish over spring, summer and autumn.

Key achievements:

  • 32 offshore FADs deployed between Tweed Heads and Eden.
  • Expansion of the NSW FAD network with 4 new locations identified by fishers and key stakeholders
  • Real time FAD satellite tracking with rapid information flow to anglers via the FishSmart app and DPI website.

Offshore artificial reefs

The reef building program was developed to enhance offshore recreational fishing opportunities by deploying structures that provide intricate habitats for a variety of species.

Key achievements:

  • Installation of the Tweed offshore artificial reef
  • Completion of planning and approvals for the Batemans region offshore artificial reef and
  • State-wide expression of interest undertaken to identify suitable locations for the State’s next artificial reef projects.

Fish Stocking

Fish stocking in NSW involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into approved sites across the State. All stocking events in NSW are carried out under permits issued by DPI and are managed by Fisheries Management Strategies.

Key achievements:

  • First large-scale stocking of 75,000 Dusky Flathead  (produced by Narooma Aquaculture) into three South Coast Recreational Fishing Havens
  • First ever stocking of Tiger Trout (produced by DPI’s Gaden Trout Hatchery) in NSW as part of a three-year trial in Thompsons Creek Dam, Lake Lyell and Lake Wallace
  • 90,000 Mulloway fingerlings (produced by DPI’s Port Stephens Fisheries Institute) stocked into two key Recreational Fishing Havens (Georges River/Botany Bay in southern Sydney and the Hastings River near Port Macquarie).

2020-21 Annual Report

Income and expenditure from the Trusts are subject to an annual audit and regular announcements are made about licence fee expenditure. DPI also carries out periodic surveys of recreational fishing licence holders to ensure that the broad funding priorities are in line with angler expectations.

Download the 2020-21 Annual Report

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