FISHING World’s Facebook page shared an image on Tuesday evening showing a commercial boat load of mulloway, reportedly caught in the Shoalhaven River of NSW.
The response on social media was immediate and fierce. Rec fishos were vocal in condemning this type of commercial practise, a perfectly legal capture. On the flipside, pro fishos saw little wrong with the photo.
Last year, recently departed Fisheries Minister Niall Blair announced a plan for restoring mulloway numbers. The plan, which was in response to the failed Mulloway Recovery program, halved recreational bag limits while removing an undersize by-catch rule for commercial fishers. But did it go far enough?
No commercial quota is in place for estuary netting mulloway, meaning commercial fishos are still allowed to catch as many legal size fish as possible. Meanwhile rec fishos are releasing most of their catch, which sadly often end up in these same nets.
With mulloway stocks at frighteningly low levels, rec and commercial fishos must make some sacrifice to ensure these popular sport fish don’t disappear forever.
With a new NSW Primary Industries Minister yet to be announced, it’s Fishing World‘s opinion that whoever is given the role should make this a priority. Will they have the political courage to stand up and make a tough decision to ensure stocks of mulloway grow?
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