Sydney Harbour and northern beaches

Recreational Fishing Guide

Fisheries Compliance Unit
August 2017
Fishing is a fun, outdoor activity for the whole • fish aggregating devices (FADs) to enhance
family. Fishing rules help ensure healthy and fishing for dolphinfish and even tuna and
sustainable fisheries for future generations. marlin;
Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson) and surrounding • creation of recreational fishing havens;
waterway’s provide a wide range of fishing
• angler facilities such as fish cleaning tables
opportunities from beach or jetty fishing to the
and fishing platforms;
more adventurous rock and boat fishing. This
guide provides essential information on fishing, • stocking of freshwater fish in dams and rivers;
including any closures and restrictions, which apply
• essential research on popular recreational fish
within Sydney Harbour and Sydney’s northern
species;
beaches.
• restoring important fish habitat;
DPI fisheries officers routinely patrol waterways,
boat ramps and foreshores to advise anglers about • marine stocking of prawns in estuaries;
responsible fishing practices and to ensure
compliance with NSW fishing regulations. • angler education and advisory programs such
as the Fishcare Volunteer program, fishing
Information on bag and size limits and legal fishing workshops, Get Hooked…it's fun to fish
gear can be obtained at primary schools education and fishing guides.
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries or by visiting your
local DPI fisheries office. Much more information is available at
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.
To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call the
Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 (free You can pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at
call) or on-line at: www.onegov.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 369
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report- 365 or at many outlets throughout NSW, such as
illegal-activity. All calls will be treated as most fishing tackle stores, caravan parks, local
confidential and you can remain anonymous. shops, service stations and many Kmart stores.
Some exemptions apply to paying the fishing fee,
RECREATIONAL FISHING FEE including people under the age of 18, holders of
pensioner concession cards and Aboriginal people.
When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and For further information on exemptions go to
saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4424 7499.
recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt showing
the payment of the fee. This applies when spear You may not need to pay the NSW recreational
fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait fishing fee if you are fishing on a charter boat, hire
collecting and prawn netting or when in possession boat or under the supervision of a fishing guide.
of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. Please check with the charter/hire boat operator, or
guide, before you go fishing. If they do not hold a
All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing recreational fishing fee exemption certificate you
fee is spent on improving recreational fishing in will need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee.
NSW. Projects include:
• building artificial reefs to create new fishing
locations;

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

SYDNEY HARBOUR
RECREATIONAL FISHING AND Table 1. Recommended maximum intake based on eating
DIOXON CONTAMINATION a single species caught east of the Sydney Harbour bridge.

Test results have revealed elevated levels of Seafood Number of 150g Amount per month

dioxins in fish and crustaceans throughout Sydney serves

Harbour, including Parramatta River and other Prawns 4 per month 600g
connected tidal waterways. A ban has been placed Crabs 5 per month 750g
on commercial fishing as a precautionary measure. Bream 1 per month 150g
Dusky Flathead 12 per month 1800g
Recreational fishing in Sydney Harbour has not
Fanbelly 24 per month 3600g
been banned, but fishers are urged to follow
Leatherjacket
dietary advice on the consumption of seafood
taken from Sydney Harbour. Fishers can also Flounder 12 per month 1800g

continue to practice catch and release. Kingfish 12 per month 1800g

Luderick 12 per month 1800g
An expert panel has recommended that fish and
Sand Whiting 8 per month 1200g
crustaceans caught west of the Sydney Harbour
Sea Mullet 1 every 3 months 50g
Bridge should not be eaten. You should release
Silver Biddy 1 per month 150g
your catch.
Silver Trevally 5 per month 750g
For fish caught east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Tailor 1 per month 150g
you should generally not eat more than 150 grams
Trumpeter Whiting 12 per month 1800g
of fish per month. Higher amounts of some fish and
Yellowtail Scad 8 per month 1200g
crustacean species may be eaten. For more
Squid 4 per month 600g
information, see Table1.
Note. This advice is provided if one single species
is being eaten. For example eating 150g of bream
RECREATIONAL FISHING
and 600g of prawns in one month would exceed CLOSURES
the recommended intake. Eating 300g prawns, A number of fishing closures exist in Sydney
300g sand whiting and 300g yellowtail scad in one Harbour and surrounding waterway’s. These exist
month would equal the recommended maximum for a variety of reasons, from public health and
intake. safety to preserving unique aquatic environments.
For further information visit NSW Food Authority The majority of these closures are signposted and
website www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au or phone penalties apply for not complying with fisheries
1300 552 406 for more information. rules and regulations.

Recreational harvest of shellfish Shellfish Closures

Shellfish are filter feeders and they sometimes Shellfish (Figure 1). Sydney Harbour (Port
accumulate harmful substances from the water Jackson) and all its tributaries are closed to the
during feeding. taking of any species of shellfish (eg. Pipis,
cockles, mussels, snails, whelks, oysters and
Shellfish collected by recreational fishers should abalone).
never be eaten raw. This is because recreationally
harvested shellfish are not subject to the same Total fishing closures
strict food safety controls as commercially
harvested shellfish. All methods of fishing are prohibited in the
following waters.
Consequently the NSW Food Authority
Duck River and Homebush Bay (Figure 2). The
recommends eating only shellfish harvested under
a recognised program. whole of the waters of Duck River and Homebush
Bay (including Haslams and Powells Creeks)
For more information check the DPI Recreational located in the upper reaches of the Parramatta
Fishing Guide or www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au or River.
phone 1300 552 406.

2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Figure 1. Sydney Harbour Shellfish & Intertidal Protected Area

Figure 2. Duck River, Homebush Bay and Parramatta River

3 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (Figure 11). Little Penguin Critical Habitat Areas (Figure 4).
From sunset to sunrise 1 July to 28 February
Lane Cover River (Little Blue Gum Creek to
(inclusive). For more information visit
Boatshed) (Figure 3). The whole of the waters of
Lane Cove River and its tributaries, from a line www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/TheLittlePe
drawn between two posts on opposite banks of the nguin.htm
river at the junction of Little Blue Gum Creek,
approximately 50 metres downstream from the
weir, upstream to a line drawn from a post at the
boatshed to a post on the opposite bank.

Figure 3. Lane Cove River

General fishing closures Recreational netting and trapping

All NSW waters. During the period May to August
(inclusive) each year Australian Bass and Estuary Longneck Lagoon. The following waters are
Perch can only be taken by catch and release closed to any method involving the use of a net or
fishing in any NSW waters except impoundments trap, other than a landing net, a dip or scoop net
and the waters of rivers above impoundments. (prawns) or a bait trap: the whole of the waters of
Longneck Lagoon and its tributaries, east of Cattai
Road.

4 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Figure 4. Little Penguin Critical Habitat Areas

Darling Harbour and bays (Figure 5). The river between two posts on opposite sides of the
following waters are closed to any method involving river, at picnic area number 20 (Fern Valley).
the use of a net, other than a landing net: the whole Lane Cove River (Upstream from Fern Valley)
of the waters of Darling Harbour, Johnston’s Bay, (Figure 3). The following waters are closed to all
White Bay, Rozelle Bay, and Blackwattle Bay, methods of fishing other than a landing net and the
south of a line drawn from the NSW Maritime
use of up to two hand held lines with no more than
tower, to Darling Street ferry wharf.
two single hooks or two lures (with up to three
Lane Cover River (Epping Highway bridge to hooks attached to a lure). All fish caught must be
Little Blue Gum Creek) (Figure 3). The following released alive in all waters upstream from Fern
waters are closed to any method involving the use Valley from a line drawn across the river between
of a net other than a landing net: that part of Lane two posts on opposite sides of the river.
Cove River and its tributaries, from the Epping Parramatta River (Silverwater to Parramatta
Highway bridge, upstream to a line drawn between Weir) (Figure 2). The following waters are closed
two posts on opposite sides of the river at Little
to the use of a net, other than a dip or scoop net
Blue Gum Creek.
(prawns) or a landing net: all tidal waters of
Lane Cove River (Boatshed to Fern Valley) Parramatta River and its tributaries, from the
(Figure 3). The following waters are closed to all Silverwater Road bridge upstream to Parramatta
methods of fishing with the exception of a landing Weir (excluding the waters of Duck River).
net, or the use of up to two hand held lines with fly
or lure attached from an unpowered vessel (eg; Middle Harbour. The whole of waters of Middle
kayak, canoe). All fish caught must be released Harbour and its tributaries, upstream from the
alive and fishing from the riverbank is prohibited: Roseville Bridge (Warringah Road) are closed to
the waters of Lane Cove River from a line drawn any method involving the use of a net, other than a
from a post at the boatshed to a post on the landing net.
opposite bank upstream to a line drawn across the

5 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Figure 5. Darling Harbour and bays

Figure 6. Narrabeen Lake

6 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Hunters Bay (Figure 12). The following waters are nets, other than a landing net: all waters east of a
closed to the use of all nets other than a landing line drawn from the western most point of
net from October to March (inclusive) each year: Barrenjoey Head south to the western most port
the waters of Hunters Bay, Middle Harbour, marker off Observation Point and then south to the
enclosed by a line drawn generally southeasterly northern most point of Stokes Point.
from Wyargine Point to the western end of
Narrabeen Lake (Figure 6), Curl Curl Lagoon
Cobblers Beach.
and Manly Lagoon (Figure 7), Dee Why Lagoon
North Harbour (Figure 12). The following waters (Figure 10). All waters and tributaries are closed to
are closed to the use of nets or traps, other than a any method involving the use of a hoop or lift net, a
landing net, lobster trap or bait trap: all waters hand hauled prawn net, push or scissor net
north of a line drawn on a bearing of 115° from the (prawns), a crab trap or lobster trap.
eastern extremity of Forty Baskets Beach, to the
Manly Dam (Figure 7). All waters of Manly Dam
southern extremity of Manly Point, northern
and its tributaries are closed to the use of a net or
boundary of North Harbour Aquatic Reserve.
trap, other than a landing net or a shrimp net.
Careel Bay, Pittwater caulerpa closure (Figure
8). The following waters are closed to the use of all
Figure 7. Manly and Curl Curl Lagoons and Manly Dam

reserves. Fishing restrictions vary between aquatic

AQUATIC RESERVES
reserves.
There are four aquatic reserves along Sydney’s
northern beaches: Barrenjoey Head, Narrabeen Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve (Figure 8).
Head, Long Reef and Cabbage Tree Bay. North Includes the rocky platform around Barrenjoey
Harbour aquatic reserve is located within Sydney Head from the northern end of Station Beach to
Harbour. the northern end of Palm Beach. Within the aquatic
reserve, you can line fish and spearfish (subject to
These aquatic reserves have been established to normal restrictions) and collect rock lobster, sea
protect marine life and habitats. They conserve lettuce and bait weed. It is prohibited to collect
important habitat and nursery areas for protected cunjevoi and all invertebrates (dead or alive)
species and are valuable areas for research and including anemones, barnacles, chitons, cockles,
education. For more information visit crabs, mussels, octopus, pipis, sea urchins,
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/protecting- starfish, snails and worms, and empty shells. Note:
habitats/mpa. This includes a prohibition on the killing of cunjevoi
The boundaries of the aquatic reserves extend or invertebrates to feed fish.
100m seaward from mean low water mark, except Narrabeen Head Aquatic Reserve (Figure 9).
for Cabbage Tree Bay and North Harbour aquatic Includes the whole foreshore from the south end of
Turimetta Beach to the rock baths at Narrabeen

7 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Head. Within the aquatic reserve, you can line fish Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (Figure 11).
and spearfish (subject to normal restrictions) and Includes the whole foreshore of the bay from Manly
collect rock lobster, sea lettuce and bait weed. It is Surf Life Saving Club to the northern end of Shelly
prohibited to collect cunjevoi and all invertebrates Beach Headland, and encompasses all of
(dead or alive) including anemones, barnacles, Cabbage Tree Bay. This is a 'no-take' aquatic
chitons, cockles, crabs, mussels, octopus, pipis, reserve, which means you are not permitted to fish
sea urchins, starfish, snails and worms, and empty by any method, destroy, injure or interfere with any
shells. Note: This includes a prohibition on the fish or marine vegetation (whether dead or alive).
killing of cunjevoi or invertebrates to feed fish. Note: This includes a prohibition on feeding fish or
the use of burley to attract fish.
Figure 8. Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve &
Pittwater Figure 10. Long Reef Aquatic Reserve & Dee Why
Lagoon

Figure 11. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve &

Shelly Beach IPA

Figure 9. Narrabeen Head Aquatic Reserve

North Harbour Aquatic Reserve (Figure 12).

Long Reef Aquatic Reserve (Figure 10). Extends Boundaries are formed by a line between
from Collaroy rock baths south to Long Reef surf headlands at North Head and Grotto Point, and
lifesaving club. Fin fish can be taken by line or another line joining Little Manly Point, Manly Point
spear only but you must bring your own bait. With and Forty Baskets Beach and extends from the
the exception of fin fish, you cannot collect or harm seabed at these outer boundaries up to the mean
any other marine plants or animals, whether alive high water mark. Within the reserve, you are
or dead. Note: This includes a prohibition on the permitted to take fin fish by hand held line only
killing of cunjevoi or invertebrates to feed fish. and must bring your own bait. With the exception
of fin fish you cannot take, gather, destroy, injure

8 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

or interfere with any fish or marine vegetation INTERTIDAL PROTECTED AREAS

(whether dead or alive). Note: This includes a Intertidal protected areas preserve and protect
prohibition on the killing of cunjevoi or intertidal animals and habitat as well as acting as
invertebrates to feed fish. reservoirs to re­populate other areas.

Figure 12. North Harbour Aquatic Reserve, North The collection of all invertebrates and cunjevoi is
Harbour & Hunters Bay prohibited from all Intertidal protected areas from
the mean high water mark to 10 meters seaward
from the mean low water mark.
They are located at Bungan Head (Figure 14),
Mona Vale Headland (Figure 14), Dee Why
Headland (Figure 15), Shelly Beach Headland
(Figure 11), Bondi (Mackenzies Point) (Figure
16) and the entire shoreline of Sydney Harbour
(Figure 1) and its tributaries, including the
Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers and Middle
Harbour excluding the shoreline of North Harbour
from Manly Point to the southern end of Forty
Baskets Beach.
Fishing is allowed in these areas but taking,
gathering or collecting seashore animals including
Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve (Figure 13).
crabs, snails, worms, octopus, sea urchins,
Includes the whole foreshore from the southern
anemones, pipis, cockles, mussels, oysters,
end of Bronte Beach to the rock baths at Coogee
saltwater nippers and cunjevoi is prohibited.
Beach – 4000 meters of coastline - and extends
Exempt invertebrates that may be taken are
100 metres seaward from mean low water. Within
Abalone and the Eastern and Southern Rock
the aquatic reserve, you can line fish and spearfish
Lobster.
(subject to normal restrictions) and collect rock
lobster, sea lettuce and bait weed. It is prohibited Figure 14. Bungan Head & Mona Vale Headland IPA
to collect cunjevoi and all invertebrates (dead or
alive) including anemones, barnacles, chitons,
cockles, crabs, mussels, octopus, pipis, sea
urchins, starfish, snails and worms, and empty
shells. Note: This includes a prohibition on the
killing of cunjevoi or invertebrates to feed fish.

Figure 13. Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve &

Clovelly & Gordons Bay

9 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Figure 15. Dee Why Headland IPA • SCUBA and hookah apparatus for scallops
and sea urchins only; and
• bare/gloved hand only when taking lobsters.
Spearfishers and divers are not permitted to use:
• a light with a spear/spear-gun;

• a spear/spear-gun to take blue, brown or red

groper or any protected fish;

• powerheads and/or explosive devices.

Spearfishing is prohibited in freshwater as well as
many entrances, coastal lagoons and other tidal
waters.
The following areas covered by this guide are
closed to spearfishing:
All NSW ocean beaches, excluding the last 20m
at each end of the beach.
Clovelly & Gordons Bay (Figure 13). The waters
of Clovelly Bay and Gordons Bay including waters
encompassed by a line commencing at the
southeastern extremity of Shark Point, extending
southeasterly for 100 metres to a point
33°54.950′S, 151°16.300′E, then generally
southwesterly to a point 33°55.100′S,
151°15.800′E, then 100 metres northwesterly to
the easternmost point of the southern headland of
Gordons (or Thompsons) Bay, then by the mean
high water mark to the point of commencement.
Figure 16. Bondi (Mackenzies Point) IPA Note: It is prohibited to take any species of eastern
blue groper, blue groper, brown groper and red
groper in these waters.
Narrabeen Lake (Figure 6). The waters of
Narrabeen Lake and its tributaries.
Port Jackson (Figure 17). The waters of North
Harbour, Manly Cove, Little Manly Cove and
Spring Cove and their tributaries, north of a line
drawn between Grotto Point and outer North Head
and those waters of Chowder Bay west of a line
drawn from the easternmost extremity of Chowder
Head, to the foreshore of the southeastern most
extremity of Georges Head on the eastern side of
the Army Maritime School.

GENERAL RECREATIONAL FISHING

RULES
Spearfishing and diving • It is illegal for recreational fishers to sell their
catch.
Spearfishing in NSW is a popular form of
recreational fishing and has been recognised for its • Leave all commercial fishing gear in place and
selective fishing practices. Spearfishers and divers do not disturb commercial fishers going about
are permitted to use: their lawful business.
• a snorkel when taking fish; • You must not alter the length of fish by filleting
and/or removing the head until you are well
away from the water. This rule does not apply

10 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

Figure 17. Port Jackson - spearfishing

• at areas normally used for cleaning fish, such • It is illegal to jag/foul hook fish other than
as boat ramp cleaning tables, if the fish are for through the mouth.
immediate consumption or immediate use as
bait, or for fish that do not have a legal length. Fishing safely
You may clean fish by gilling and gutting only. Fishing is fun, but remember to take care and
• It is an offence to interfere with any oyster exercise caution. Rock fishing can be particularly
lease. Please ensure that your vessel, your dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of the
vessel's wash or your tackle does not interfere ocean. Follow these basic safety tips at all times
with any part of an oyster lease, including the when rock fishing:
oysters. • Always wear a life jacket

• Abalone gut is prohibited for use as bait in • Stay alert to the weather conditions
NSW waters to prevent the spread of abalone
viral ganglioneuritis (AVG). • Plan an escape route in case you are washed
in
• Collecting pipis by recreational fishers for
human consumption is prohibited in NSW. A • Never turn your back on the ocean
maximum of 50 pipis is permitted to be
collected for bait and within 50m of the high • Wear appropriate non-slip footwear and light
tide mark. Pipis and cockles may contain clothing
toxins due to natural algal blooms. The blooms
are not always visible. • Do not jump in if someone is washed in - wait
for assistance
• Intertidal invertebrates must not be shucked
except for immediate use as bait. • Never fish alone

11 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017

 Sydney Harbour and northern beaches Recreational Fishing Guide

For more information go to coordinator at DPI on (02) 4424 7421.

www.safefishing.com.au Email: [email protected].

Responsible fishing Artificial Reefs

• Reduce wildlife injuries by attending your lines Artificial reefs are used extensively around the
and avoid bird feeding areas. world to create fish habitat, and new high quality
fishing opportunities for anglers. NSW DPI has
• Only catch sufficient fish for your immediate deployed specially designed artificial reefs in both
needs. Release all others using best practice estuarine and offshore waters aimed at providing
catch and release techniques. Remember all new high quality fishing opportunities for
fish, including scavengers, are important to the recreational fishers.
ecosystem.
DPI deployed the State’s first offshore recreational
fishing reef approximately 1.2km east of 'The Gap'
• If you retain your catch, dispatch all fish and
(South Head) in 38m of water. The reefs GPS
invertebrates swiftly and humanely.
coordinates (WGS84) are 33° 50.797'S 151°
17.988'E. For more information on artificial reefs go
• Dispose of all litter and fish waste responsibly.
to
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwate
• Be considerate of others and keep noise to a
r/artificial-reefs.
minimum, especially in residential areas.
Further information
• Reduce wildlife injuries by attending your lines
and avoid bird feeding areas. For more information about fishing restrictions that
apply to Sydney Harbour waterways and beaches,
• Use environmentally friendly fishing tackle please contact the;
such as lead alternative sinkers, biodegradable Sydney North Fisheries Office
line, and non-stainless hooks where possible.
12 Shirley Road
• Act responsibly when you have reached your Wollstonecraft NSW 2065
bag limit and you remain in the fishing
grounds. Postal address: PO Box 1305

Crows Nest NSW 1585

• Do not interfere with commercial fishing
activities or commercial fishing gear. Phone: (02) 8437 4903
Mobile: 0419 185 363
Penalties
Fax: (02) 9966 0663
Penalties apply to persons who take or possess
fish (including invertebrates, shells, etc.) taken in Web: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
contravention of fishing closures, including aquatic Check for updates of this Recreational Fishing
reserves and intertidal protected areas. Guide at:
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources
Fish Aggregating Devices – FADs
NSW Department of Primary Industries deploy a
series of fish aggregating devices (FADs) each © State of New South Wales through the NSW Department of Trade and
year along the NSW coast between the months of Investment 2017. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with
September and June. The FADs are funded by the this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW
Department of Primary Industries as the owner.
Recreational Fishing Trust and are installed to
Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
provide improved fishing for recreational fishers.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on
FADS in the Sydney north district are located knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (August 2017).
However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the
offshore of Port Jackson; for exact GPS locations
need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to
please check the website check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwate Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser.
r/fads. INT15/103621

For more information on this program funded by

the Recreational Fishing Trust or to report a lost or
damaged FAD please contact the program

12 NSW Department of Primary Industries, August 2017