A total of $15,000 in fines was handed out during a recent operation after anglers were found in possession of silver perch and trout cod.
In two separate incidents, Fisheries officers patrolling the Murrumbidgee River near Darlington Point detected a total of nine anglers in possession of a combined 20 silver perch.
On the Murray River, Fisheries officers patrolling downstream of the Yarrawonga Weir and Cobram-Barooga have apprehended five men on two separate occasions in possession of three trout cod and 10 silver perch.
Silver perch are listed as a vulnerable species in NSW waters and may only be taken from stocked inland impoundments.
Any person found in possession of silver perch taken from our inland rivers face a maximum penalty of $55,000 or imprisonment for one year, or both.
Trout cod is listed as an endangered species in NSW waters with a maximum penalty for anyone found in possession being $220,000 or imprisonment for two years or both.
Both species need to be released immediately upon capture and returned to the water with the least possible harm.
Recreational fishers are reminded to appraise themselves of the fishing rules and fish identification before going fishing.
The NSW FishSmart app is a valuable tool to assist anglers and can be downloaded for free onto any smart phone.
Download the free FishSmart NSW app from Google Play for android or the iTunes store.
The public are encouraged to report illegal fishing via the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or through the online form at http://tiny.cc/c7nmsz.
