Coastal fi shing

COASTAL FISHING

The Far South Coast of NSW has some of the best fi shing to be had anywhere on earth, and its variety of species and range of popular fi shing activities available make it a world class angling destination. Popular angling options along the Sapphire Coast include beach fi shing, rock fi shing, spearfi shing and even freshwater fi shing along the many rivers that meet the ocean along the coast. Anglers can target anything from bait fi sh to big game species such as Marlin, Dolphinfi sh and the iconic Yellowtail Kingfi sh. While fi shing is a fun activity for the whole family, it’s important to take appropriate safety precautions and adhere to the appropriate rules and regulations around these valuable local resources.

RECREATIONAL FISHING FEE

When fi shing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW recreational fi shing fee and carry a receipt showing the payment of the fee. This applies when spear fi shing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait collecting and prawn netting or when in possession of fi shing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. All money raised by the NSW recreational fi shing fee is spent on improving recreational fi shing in NSW.

RECREATIONAL FISHING CLOSURES

A number of fi shing closures exist in the Far South Coast area. These exist for a variety of reasons, from public health and safety to preserving unique aquatic environments. The majority of these closures are signposted and penalties apply for not complying with fi sheries rules and regulations. To fi nd out more about closures, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fi shing/ recreational/resources/info/local-fi shing-guides or download the FishSmart NSW app.

FISHING SAFELY

Fishing is fun, but remember to take care and exercise caution. Rock fi shing can be particularly dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of the ocean. Follow these basic safety tips at all times when rock fi shing: • Always wear a life jacket • Stay alert to the weather conditions • Plan an escape route in case you are washed in • Never turn your back on the ocean • Wear appropriate non-slip footwear and light clothing • Do not jump in if someone is washed in - wait for assistance • Never fi sh alone

For more information go to www.safefi shing.com.au

RESPONSIBLE FISHING

• Reduce wildlife injuries by attending your lines and avoid bird feeding areas. • Only catch suffi cient fi sh for your immediate needs. Release all others using best practice catch and release techniques. Remember, all fi sh, including scavengers, are important to the ecosystem. • If you retain your catch, dispatch all fi sh and invertebrates swiftly and humanely. • Dispose of all litter and fi sh waste responsibly. • Be considerate of others and keep noise to a minimum, especially in residential areas. • Reduce wildlife injuries by attending your lines and avoid bird feeding areas. • Use environmentally friendly fi shing tackle such as lead alternative sinkers, biodegradable line, and non-stainless hooks where possible. • Act responsibly when you have reached your bag limit and you remain in the fi shing grounds • Do not interfere with commercial fi shing activities or commercial fi shing gear. The NSW DPI Fisheries department also invests considerable resources into fi sh habitat with the installation of artifi cial reefs to encourage fi sh habitat, annual use of Fish Aggravating Devices (FAD’s) to increase angling opportunities. For more info on NSW Fisheries visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fi sheries Photographs credit of Taylor Petersen.

TILBA IS BACK! festival

On Easter Saturday, April 3, Central Tilba will again open the gates on the Tilba Festival and share a great day out for locals and visitors to the area. The Festival will once again take place on Bate Street in Tilba featuring a full day of live music, market stalls, an array of delicious food, the usual traditional street games and great entertainment for the kids. For more than 30 years the highlight of the year for the Tilba District has been the Tilba Festival. The festival is a celebration of the heritage, local produce, creative and musical talent of this humble community. The Bate Street businesses come together with stallholders, food producers and entertainers to deliver a day that the family can enjoy and create wonderful memories of a fun family day out in Tilba. The Tilba Festival is organised by a small group of enthusiastic local volunteers and the festival is a not-for-profi t community event with proceeds going directly into the district through donations to local community groups. To fi nd that perfect unique gift or something to spoil yourself, you will sure to be able to fi nd it here at the Tilba Festival. Taste the many delicious local food produce on offer and come along for a fun-packed family day at the Tilba Festival. For more information on the festival, visit www.visittilba.com.au/tilba-festival

TILBA FESTIVAL

Great Food. Non-Stop Music. Market Stalls. Family Fun.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A ‘MOGO ZOOmer'

AND TAKE GREAT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHS ATMOGO WILDLIFE PARK?

Join photography professionals at Mogo Wildlife Park for an immersive two-day 'Through The Lens Experience', with dates now available for 2021.

Courses are conducted by professional photographers, June Andersen and Patricia Wallace, at the MOGO ZOOm Learning Centre situated within the beautiful grounds of Mogo Wildlife Park.

Mogo Wildlife Park’s magnifi cent collection of exotic animals, together with the wonderful sounds of lions and tigers as well as the sweet songs of the gibbons combine to make this a very special and unique venue for photography and learning. The MOGO ZOOm course runs over two days, where participants enjoy exclusive access to areas within the park and the opportunity to utilise purpose-built viewing platforms and camera portholes during their course.

MOGO ZOOm includes:

• Tutorials conducted by the professional photography team at Nature of

Photography • Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on

both days • Course notes • Extensive photo opportunities throughout the two days with guidance from Nature of

Photography professionals • Expert commentary by the Mogo Wildlife

Park animal care team • Maximum of eight people per course

BOOK YOUR SESSION TODAY

HTTPS://MOGOZOO.COM.AU/MOGOZOOM

TESTIMONIAL

The MOGO ZOOm Through The Lens Experience exceeded all of my expectations.

June, with the support of Pattie, taught us how to shoot beautiful images from photographic opportunities not available to regular zoo visitors. So much was learnt in the classroom sessions (without overloading) and June catered for differing skills and equipment with admirable professionalism.

If you have a love of animals, you will be thrilled with the opportunities to interact with them. Just that element of the Through The Lens Experience makes it value for money. Warning: this is something you will want to do over and over again. In fact, I met a fellow MogoZoomer who has signed up for his fourth course.