Push To Monitor Fishing Outlaws

Newcastle Herald

Monday August 1, 2005

By DAMON CRONSHAW

BLACK market fishing could be stopped under a program to monitor activity in Lake Macquarie, according to environmentalist Peter Morris.

Mr Morris, who is president of the United Residents Group for the Environment of Lake Macquarie, has combined with the Responsible Fishing Association to introduce a program called Lakewatch.

He said the program involved people who live by the lake or who use it regularly to report suspected illegal fishing to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Since commercial fishing was banned in the lake in March 2002, there had been "anecdotal evidence that clandestine netting has continued", Mr Morris said.

Lakewatch participants will be given a kit to learn what details to record and how to report. Phone 4965 9649 for details.

Fish fraud hotline, Page 18

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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