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Foraging on our Rocky Shores
Council staff - both CEC and Rangers - and NSW Fisheries want to ensure that the biodiversity found along our coast is not depleted by foraging. NSW Fisheries have regulations in place which differ according to the status of the area.
Aquatic Reserves
These include:
- Barrenjoey Headland (Pittwater)
- Narrabeen Headland (Pittwater)
- Long Reef (Warringah)
- Cabbage Tree Bay (Manly)
The type of protection varies according to the reserve, but foraging for intertidal animals and plants is prohibited in all. Fishing is allowed in some, as long as bait is not collected from within the reserve.
Intertidal Protected Areas
These include:
- Bungan Head (Pittwater)
- Mona Vale Head (Pittwater)
- Dee Why Headland (Warringah)
These are temporary closures to protect selected rocky habitats and intertidal species. Foraging for intertidal species of animals and plants is prohibited.
Limits
Foraging for intertidal animals and plants is allowed along the intertidal shore in areas other than designated Marine Protected Areas and Intertidal Protected Areas, within bag limits and legal size limits, which vary by species. In general, a maximum daily bag limit of 20 animals (per person) applies to molluscs.
Reporting Illegal Activities
People who are concerned by their observations of intertidal foraging on our rocky shores are encouraged by NSW Fisheries to report illegal or suspect fishing activities to the nearest local fisheries office, in our area the Fisheries North Office at Woolstonecraft – 8437 4903.
A general information line and advisory line is 1300 550 474. Fisheries operate a mobile squad, able to respond to reports by the general public as well as the office at Woolstonecraft. The mobile squad can be contacted on 0419 105 363 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When lodging any report to Fisheries, people should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Type of activity
- Time, date and location of activity
- Number of people involved, identity if known and descriptions
- Registration numbers of any boats or cars involved and their descriptions
- The reporting persons own name and contact details to further substantiate the report, and provide the person with follow up information
All information provided by somebody complaining to Fisheries is treated as confidential.
Where an immediate response is not possible due to Fisheries conducting other operations or safety considerations, information received is used in targeting on-going surveillance and enforcement activities.
Police
NSW Police are delegated to apprehend and charge people for breaches of the NSW Fisheries Act, and so a concerned citizen could call Dee Why Police Station on 9971 3399.
Updated: 03 Nov 2011