It will be illegal to fish for the iconic blue groper in NSW after a spate of killings sparked national outrage.
The new rules, to be announced on Wednesday, will protect NSW’s state fish from any form of fishing, including line fishing.
Previously, the laws only protected groping (including brown, red and blue fish species) from spearfishing and commercial fishing, and allowed people to catch two per day.
The death of blue gropers sparked mass anger and controversy earlier this year after a blue groper, affectionately known to locals as Gus, was illegally killed by a spearfisherman in Oak Park, Cronulla, in January.
A new law will be introduced protecting NSW’s state fish, the groper, from all forms of fishing and could be introduced after a 12-month trial period (photo, Gus the groper)
An online petition launched by the Animal Justice Party reached 5813 signatures urging NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty to increase penalties after the 26-year-old man was fined $800.
Days later, the murder of three female betapers in Vincentiaabout three hours south of Sydney, sparked further outrage, with one local describing the animals as ‘friendly Labradors of the sea’.
The law will initially be implemented on a 12-month trial basis, with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) consulting stakeholders and the community on the changes to the rules.
The fish will also still be allowed to be caught for Aboriginal cultural fisheries due to its cultural significance to Indigenous peoples.
First offenders may be subject to a fine of $500 and/or a court-imposed fine of $22,000 or imprisonment for six months (or both), with subsequent offenders liable for a fine of $44,000 or imprisonment for twelve months ( or both).
Ms Moriarty said the changes will improve compliance by creating the same rules for all recreational fishermen.
“We have heard the community’s concerns and these new rules will make it clear to all water users that these fish are to be admired, but not targeted,” she said.
‘With their bright blue color and calm and inquisitive nature, it’s no wonder these beautiful large fish are so loved by our coastal communities.’
It comes after numerous incidents in which ‘Labradors of the sea’ were speared by fishermen and left local communities in turmoil (Photo: Man poses for a photo after killing Gus)