The Minns Labor Government has introduced a new fishing rule at Terrigal Haven on the Central Coast to help protect critically endangered Greynurse sharks following community concern of the behaviour of some fishers targeting these sharks.
Greynurse sharks are listed as critically endangered in NSW and remain vulnerable to fishing-related impacts. The local Terrigal community are highly protective of these Greynurse juveniles who are part of the marine environment which makes Terrigal a special coastal place.
The Minns Government's targeted measure follows reports of Greynurse sharks being caught by fishers using wire traces to specifically target the young sharks in the area.
From Friday 4 September, the use of wire trace, chain trace and fishing lines consisting of wire or chain will be prohibited within a specific closure area for a period of five years.
Any Greynurse Shark captured incidentally should be released immediately to the waters from where the fish came with the least possible harm.
Wire traces are commonly used to target large sharks, and the closure is intended to reduce the risk of capture, injury and death of Greynurse sharks.
The closure area is waters extending from the shoreline at the Terrigal Rock Pool (adjacent to the Terrigal Boardwalk), encompassing all waters of Terrigal Haven to Terrigal Point (north-north-east of the Terrigal Boat Ramp). The rules will apply to all fishers and include waters adjacent to the Terrigal boardwalk, encompassing Terrigal Haven and surrounding waters.
The new rules do not prohibit recreational fishing at Terrigal Haven, with fishers able to continue to enjoy fishing in the area while helping safeguard this threatened species.
Over the coming months, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recreational fishing education officers will be at Terrigal Haven to promote awareness of the new closure and fishing rules, particularly in relation to Greynurse sharks.
The new fishing rules will be supported through on-site signage, public awareness initiatives, and compliance activities.
The five-year period will allow the NSW Government to assess the effectiveness of the measures in reducing the impact of interactions with Greynurse sharks across a range of fishing seasons and environmental conditions.
On-the-spot fines of $500 to $1,500 apply for fishing in the closure area using a fishing line fitted with a wire or chain trace, or a line consisting of wire or chain. Maximum court-imposed penalties of $22,000 and/or six months imprisonment apply for an individual's first offence.
Anyone who sees fishers doing the wrong thing is encouraged to contact DPIRD via Fishers Watch on 1800 043 536 or submit a report online.
For more information, including maps of the closure area, visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/species-protection/what-current/critically/grey-nurse-shark
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
"These targeted measures will help reduce the risk of harm to the Terrigal community's special young Greynurse sharks, while ensuring recreational fishers are not impacted at Terrigal Haven.
"Reports of Greynurse sharks being hooked with wire trace attached are concerning and demonstrate why additional protections are needed.
"These practical changes strike the right balance between protecting a critically endangered species and ensuring fishers can continue to enjoy this popular fishing location."
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:
"Terrigal Haven has become a regular habitat for Greynurse sharks in recent years, and local residents have raised concerns about interactions between fishers and these animals.
"The Central Coast is home to important marine environments, and we have a responsibility to protect threatened species that call these waters home.
"These new rules are a sensible and targeted response that supports conservation while maintaining recreational fishing access to this iconic location."
