Industry Voice

On 30 July 2026, the Wild Caught Fishers Coalition submitted a briefing report to DPIRD Fisheries seeking a fair pathway to design and independently assess a limited commercial prawn-hauling trial in the Hastings River. The Minister for Agriculture and CommFish NSW were also copied into the submission. WCFC is not seeking an unrestricted or permanent reopening of the river. The proposal is for a small, time-limited and monitored trial under section 37 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994,...

On 20 July 2026, the Wild Caught Fishers Coalition submitted a briefing report to DPIRD and CommFish NSW calling for a review of the Eastern Sea Garfish immediate vicinity rule. The current rule requires a skipper to remain physically beside landed garfish until the final accurate weight has been reported. WCFC supports accurate catch reporting and quota accountability, but questions whether continuous physical attendance is necessary or proportionate. The report found that the fishery is...

Following a request from an affected member, WCFC began pursuing the removal of the weekend fishing closure applying to Eastern Sea Garfish fishers. WCFC met with DPIRD Executive Director David McPherson on 14 January 2026 to discuss the restriction and recommended that a section 37 order be used as a temporary measure while permanent regulatory reform was considered. At that meeting, WCFC was advised that section 37 could not be used for this purpose. WCFC later raised the matter with the...