A person has been fined $500 for spearing a protected fish species in Sydney over the weekend.
NSW police have confirmed officers spoke to a 26-year-old man on Saturday following experiences a blue groper (Achoerodus viridis) was speared and killed at Oak Park in Cronulla.
Police stated the fish was not discovered however was “believed to have been returned to the water”.
In accordance with native experiences, the group believes the fish could also be “Gus”, a 35- to 40-year-old blue groper who’s well-known to swimmers and divers within the space.
“Following inquiries, the person was issued a penalty discover for take groper not use rod and line or handline which carries a penalty of $500,” police stated in an announcement.
On Monday, the NSW Division of Major Industries (DPI) stated it was investigating after it obtained {a photograph} and knowledge concerning the incident.
“Blue gropers are the official state fish and we’re upset to listen to one could have been illegally speared in Cronulla,” a DPI spokesperson stated. “Groper are protected against industrial fishing and spearfishing.”
Individuals can catch a most of two gropers a day by line solely. They should be larger than 30cm and just one could be over 60cm. Most penalties for unlawful fishing embrace a $22,000 fantastic or six months in jail.
The NSW agriculture and fisheries minister, Tara Moriarty, stated on Monday the groper’s loss of life had been disappointing for locals.
“It’s terribly disappointing for the local people of Cronulla’s Oak Park Seaside who’ve publicly and privately shared their disappointment on the lack of ‘Gus’ as a consequence of unlawful spearfishing,” she stated.
Blue gropers are recognized for being peaceable, pleasant and inquisitive. They will develop to 1.2 metres lengthy and stand out with their vivid blue colouring.
This article by Emily Wind was first printed by The Guardian on 1 January 2024. Lead Picture: NSW police have fined a person $500 after a blue groper was speared and killed at Oak Park, Cronulla. {Photograph}: RugliG/Getty Photos/iStockphoto.
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