Commercial pipi harvesting faces seasonal closure

12-December-2011

A seasonal closure on the commercial harvest of pipis is now in effect across all Port Stephens beaches, Member for Port Stephens Craig Baumann said today.

The six month closure across the state is a recommendation of the cross-sector Pipi Resource Planning Group.

“The closure until 1 June 2012 is part of the sustainable management of the NSW commercial pipi fishery and is designed to reduce fishing pressure on local pipi populations,” Mr Baumann said.

“The Planning group was formed to advise on options for the future management of pipi harvesting in NSW following reports from various stakeholders that our State’s pipi population has dwindled rapidly in the past five to 10 years.

Recreational fishers are permitted to collect a maximum of 50 pipis for bait purposes only and not human consumption.

“The NSW Government is aware that there has been a decline in the abundance of pipis on the State’s beaches, and along the whole east coast of Australia, in waterways that are commercially harvested and those that are not,” said Mr Baumann.

“Seasonal closures are an important management tool to help ensure the continued sustainability of our State’s much-valued fisheries. Fisheries Officers will be on patrol along the NSW coastline to ensure commercial fishers comply with the closure.”

Planning group is made up of representatives from Indigenous, recreational and commercial fisheries groups as well as conservation stakeholders and members of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

Mr Baumann said he had been advised by the Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson that the NSW Government would continue to closely monitor the situation and actively manage the pipi resource.