Reply With Quote
Spate of illegal Pipi gathering on NSW South Coast
23 March 2003
About 100 people have been fined for illegally gathering more than 35,000 pipis at Seven Mile Beach near Gerroa in recent months. .
The spate of incidents has prompted NSW Fisheries to warn that the beach is patrolled regularly and offenders will be caught.
Seven Mile Beach is a popular spot for pipis and it’s disappointing that so many people have been caught illegally gathering them over summer.
The Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said a total of $45,000 in fines have been issued for illegal pipi gathering at the beach in the past three months. Most offenders have received $500 on-the-spot fines.
“In addition, three Sydney people found with almost 5000 pipis at the beach will be prosecuted in court,” Mr Dunn said.
“ In NSW, pipis are for use as bait only, and it is an offence to possess them beyond 50 metres of the high tide mark.
“There is a bag limit of 50 pipis per person per day, and the maximum penalty for exceeding this limit is an $11,000 fine and/or three months jail.”
There are important health concerns related to collecting pipis, because some contained natural poisons which could be harmful to humans if eaten.
These poisons are found in toxic algae which can appear from time to time with little warning.
There is a small commercial fishery for pipis in NSW. Pipis gathered commercially are purified to ensure they are safe to eat.
Anyone concerned about illegal fishing should contact their local NSW Fisheries office or the Fishers Watch number 1800 043 536.
webmaster@fisheries.nsw.gov.au | Terms of use including Copyright & Privacy Statement | Phone: (02) 9527 8411
