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‘FISH MEASURING STATIONS REDUCE OVERFISHING IN REGION ’

Healthy Cities Illawarra and the Department of Primary Industries’ Illawarra Fisheries have joined forces to develop and install several Fish Measuring Station signs in the Illawarra. The signs contain information in five languages on bag and size limits for locally caught fish species.

The Fish Measuring Stations address a need identified by local fisheries officers to make Illawarra anglers aware of the size and bag limits for fish usually caught in the local area. The signs, with information in several languages, will especially benefit those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

The signs are located a popular fishing spots where many fines have been issued for illegally caught fish.

“The signs provide an important mechanism to inform anglers at popular spots what they are allowed –and not allowed – to catch,” said Fisheries Officer Dan Minter.

The multiple languages also ensures that the signs have an impact on a wide range of anglers. “We felt it was important to present the information in a number of different languages due to the diversity of anglers in the region” commented Ben Grounds, of Healthy Cities Illawarra.

The installation of the Fish Measuring Stations will not only prevent anglers from being fined for inadvertently fishing illegally, but will help conserve fish species in the region and reduce damage to the ecosystem.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Recreational Fishing Trust, through the Department of Primary Industries.

Local anglers should keep an eye out for the signs and remember to be informed about the size and bag limits for the fish they catch.

For more information or photo opportunities contact Ben Grounds at Healthy Cities Illawarra on 4226 5000 or environment@healthycitiesill.org.au