Sydney Fishing Ban Partially Lifted

[mrmoshe]

Sydney fishing ban partially lifted

A ban on recreational fishing in Sydney Harbour has been partially lifted.

Dangerously high levels of dioxins found in fish caught in the harbour and Parramatta River forced the ban early this year.

News Ltd reports that anglers can now take home fish caught east of the Harbour Bridge.

However, the Parramatta River is still too contaminated.

Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald told News Ltd "the situation west of the bridge is bleak and anglers should release their catch".

More info from ABC Online:

Sydney Harbour fishing ban partially lifted

Recreational fisherman will be able to eat their catch in a section of Sydney Harbour again, after tests confirmed safe dioxin levels.

The New South Wales Government says the levels are now safe east of the Harbour Bridge.

A ban remains in place for the Parramatta River and on all commercial fishing throughout the Harbour.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says tests conducted on 400 fish have confirmed safe dioxin levels east of the bridge.

"The overall picture for recreational fishers is you can consume some of your favourite targeted species - such as kingfish, trevally, some species of whiting and consume up to 1.8 kilograms per month of those species," he said.

More:

From The West Australian

Dioxin ban lifted on some Sydney fish

Recreational fishers can now eat greater quantities of their catches from some sections of Sydney Harbour.

The NSW government had previously advised anglers to eat only 150g of fish or 300g of prawns a month if they were caught east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge due to dioxin levels.

However, recent tests have shown it is now safe to eat greater quantities of six recreational species, including up to 1.8kg a month of kingfish, luderick, flounder and trumpeter whiting.

It is also safe to consume up to 1.2kg a month of sand whiting and 750g of silver trevally and crab.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said fish caught west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was still unsafe to eat and should be released if caught.

"Fishers who are unsure of what type of fish they are catching should follow the current dietary advice of 150 grams a month," Mr Macdonald said.

He said commercial fishing in Sydney Harbour would remain banned in the foreseeable future, with commercial species such as bream, prawns and squid still containing high dioxin levels.

NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam said years of government inaction meant recreational anglers could only eat certain types of fish caught in specific parts of the harbour.

"The government's announcement simply affects the harbour east of the bridge," Mr Debnam said.

"We're left with a situation that, because this government didn't clean up the dioxins over the last decade, you've got a major pollution problem in the Sydney Harbour west of the bridge."

Edited December 10, 2006 by MallacootaPete

[Guest rzep]

Lets just hope that they don't let the commercial's back in.

[Penguin]

Lets just hope that they don't let the commercial's back in.

Definately dont want that to happen

penguin