Shaws Bay residents make a stand
It’s good to see the residents of Shaws Bay at East Ballina taking a stand against spearfishing in the popular swimming and snorkelling spot.
Residents this summer have reported more incidents of the illegal activity and went public with their concerns.
Shaws Bay is a tidal lagoon and is home to an estimated 150 species of fish, many of them colourful tropical species.
While residents no doubt feared that publicity might work in reverse and attract even more spear fishers, they ultimately decided that it was best to highlight attention to the problem and issue a strong warning that any person spearfishing in the Bay would not go unnoticed.
As well as being illegal in enclosed waters, spearfishing in such a popular family spot poses a danger to children and adults alike.
The minimum penalty for illegal spearfishing is $500, but NSW Fisheries Regulations provide for fines of up to $11,000.
The problem of illegal spearfishing in Shaws Bay seems more prevalent in the holiday periods, prompting claims that many spear fishers are visitors who are unaware of the regulations.
However, people intending to visit the region can find out what fishing regulations are in force by checking out the NSW Fisheries website.
