NSW Government to introduce new laws to protect the state’s fisheries, seafood and marine habitat + Gone Fishing Weekend 2026
On August 4 the Minns Government announced it is acting to crackdown on illegal catches of the state’s precious seafoods such as abalone, lobster and mud crab by bolstering the compliance powers for NSW’s Fisheries Officers.
The Government states its reforms will strengthen the ability of Fisheries Officers to respond to illegal fishing, disrupt black market seafood supply chains, and tackle aquatic habitat offences that threaten the long-term sustainability of NSW’s fisheries.
The Fisheries Management Amendment (Enforcement) Bill 2026 is being introduced to Parliament with the Government stating it represents the most significant modernisation of powers in some time.
The Government states its reforms are critical for ensuring Fisheries Officers have the tools they need to do their jobs more effectively and safely.
The community expects that NSW has the regulatory powers required to protect our natural aquatic resources and remain fit for purpose to deter or investigate criminal activities.
After the Bill passes the new provisions will allow Fisheries Officers to:
- Act against people knowingly buying fish from illegal sellers, this will have a direct impact on dampening black-market sales
- Identify and question boat owners when their boat has been suspected to have been involved in illegal activities such a vessel observed by a fisheries drone undertaking illegal fishing
- Make it harder for illegal fishers to evade fisheries officers and empower Fisheries Officers to demand the identity of suspected offenders
- Proactively check that seafood being transported and sold by mobile seafood vendors has been sourced legally.
Along with the boosting of compliance powers the Government stated it is ensuring there are boots on the ground to protect our fisheries.
Eight Supervising and District Fisheries Officers are being recruited and a recruitment drive for a new cohort of up to 11 First Year Fisheries Officers to be stationed right across the state is underway.
The Government states its Bill will deliver the following outcomes:
- Enhance powers to address the risks posed by black market fish sales to the sustainability of fisheries resources and enhance traceability through the seafood supply chain
- Increased penalties of up to $44,000 to deter would-be offenders from stealing aquaculture stock for black market sale or damaging aquaculture infrastructure
- Improved enforcement powers and tools so Fisheries Officers can operate safely and effectively, in line with community expectations of modern natural resource regulators.
The NSW Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Tara Moriarty, commissioned a review of the Part 9 of the Fisheries Management Act, that covers compliance and investigation powers, in response to the recommendations of an independent review of fisheries compliance powers.
The independent review was initiated in response to concerns from Fisheries Officers about their powers in relation to safety.
'These new powers will enable the state to better protect the aquaculture sector which has recorded a farm gate value of $107 million, contributed almost a quarter of a billion dollars to the state economy, and supports around 2,200 jobs along our coastline.' the government said
In a separate regulation change, the Government will soon introduce of a ‘fit and proper person’ test for commercial fishing licences in line with community standards, including the completion of a National Police Check.
The fit and proper person test will allow the refusal, suspension or cancellation of a licence where an applicant or licensee has been convicted of serious indictable offences, including assaulting or intimidating a public officer, serious violence offences, fraud, offences involving criminal groups, or serious offences related to fishing activities.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“With these reforms to compliance powers we are protecting the livelihood of hard working and honest commercial fishers and ensuring the sustainability of our resources for future generations.
“The Minns Government is putting in place a stronger and better way of protecting our valuable fisheries resources such as abalone, lobster and mud crabs.
“Fisheries Officers undertake important work protecting our state’s aquatic environments and fisheries resources on the water, at the beach, at wharves and on the road, and they need modernised powers to better do their job.
“Like all workers in NSW, we are committed to ensuring that Fisheries Officers are able to feel safe and appropriately empowered to do their job and public service everyday across the state.”
“The introduction of the new ‘fit and proper person’ standard for commercial fishing licenses aims to protect the working environment of Fisheries Officers and for ensuring our natural resources are better protected from fraud or criminal interests.”
Government support package to secure the future of NSW’s abalone industry
On the same day, 4 August 2026, the Minns Government stated it will provide financial and practical support to NSW abalone fishers to secure the long-term sustainability of the state’s abalone fishery on the South Coast as the sector transitions to a new model of operations.
'As part of the Government’s plan to both protect the abalone resource for future generations and ensure a viable and sustainable commercial fishing sector, the Minns Government has offered a voluntary share surrender program for commercial abalone shareholders.' a press release states
'The Minns Government has stepped up to deal with this longstanding and complex issue by working with all key stakeholders – commercial fishers, the local Aboriginal community, fisheries scientists, and natural resource management experts.
The support from Government will include Financial Guidance service, a Training Support Program, as well as mental health support to assist the abalone sector’s fishers plan their future.
The Minns Government has increased funding for a voluntary share surrender program. This will ensure certainty to commercial farmers and an understanding of the timeline with the sector having six weeks to consider the final package and apply.' the release states
The availability of abalone for commercial fishers has been falling, and the independent Total Allowable Fishing Committee determined the Total Allowable Catch for Blacklip Abalone to be only 52 tonnes between 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, which is a 40% decrease over the 2025/26 catch.
This reform of the commercial abalone fishing sector is needed due to ongoing concerns about the sustainability of abalone.
Under the framework, the fishery will be managed through a new zoning approach, including the closure of the Central Zone (from near Bundeena to Red Point, south of Eden) to commercial abalone fishing from 1 July 2027.
Commercial fishing activity will continue in the Northern and Southern zones (north of Bundeena and South of Red Point), supporting the ongoing operation of the state’s abalone industry.
To help businesses navigate the changes, the Government will also deliver a Financial Guidance and Training Support Program, which includes:
- Up to $1,000 per eligible fishing business owner for financial guidance from an appropriately accredited adviser.
- Up to $9,000 per eligible fishing business owner who surrenders all their abalone shares for training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
The financial guidance grant will be available to all NSW abalone shareholders, regardless of whether they participate in the voluntary share surrender program.
The training grant will be available to eligible abalone shareholders who surrender all shares through the program and can be used for training that supports transition planning, business management, skills development, future employment opportunities or other career pathways.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"The Minns Government is committed to securing a sustainable future for the abalone fishery while supporting affected businesses through this period of change.
“We have listened to the industry and appreciate the challenging situation they are facing and that is why we have ensured the best and fairest reasonable offer per share that we can.
"The voluntary share surrender program provides abalone shareholders with the option to exit the fishery if they choose, while the financial guidance and training support package will help businesses make informed decisions about their future.
"We recognise these changes will have significant impacts for some operators, which is why we are providing practical support to help fishing businesses transition and access new opportunities.
"These reforms are about balancing environmental sustainability, community expectations and the long-term future of the industry.
"By reducing fishing pressure in areas where stocks are under the greatest strain, these reforms will help support recovery of the resource and ensure the fishery remains sustainable for future generations."
Updated National Guidelines to strengthen sustainable fisheries management across Australia
On 22 July 2026 the updated National Guidelines was formalised which, it is stated, 'deliver an agreed approach to developing harvest strategies, helping fisheries management agencies and stakeholders design practical, effective and consistent management policies and arrangements that support ecological sustainability while optimising economic, social and Indigenous cultural benefits.'
Harvest strategies set out clear objectives for fisheries and establish decision-making frameworks to monitor stock health and manage harvest levels, ensuring long-term outcomes for fish stocks and fishing communities.
The 2nd Edition reflects extensive collaboration between Australian fisheries jurisdictions and stakeholders and modernises the original 2014 guidelines with updated content to address current challenges and opportunities in fisheries management.
The development process highlighted significant progress in the number of harvest strategies developed for Australian fisheries over the past decade, as well as significant progress in extending their application from a commercial focus to management across all fishing sectors.
Key improvements in the updated guidelines include:
- stronger guidance to support national consistency in the development and application of harvest strategies and related policy;
- expanded guidance on integrating ecological, economic, social and Indigenous cultural interests and objectives;
- enhanced processes for stakeholder engagement and inclusive decision-making;
- improved tools, examples and resources to support practical implementation; and
- greater emphasis on adaptive management, risk, and responding to environmental change.
An important development in the updated guidelines is the explicit recognition of Indigenous cultural objectives in defining harvest strategy outcomes, alongside ecological, economic and social considerations.
DPIRD Director Fisheries Management Dr Heath Folpp said the updated guidelines reinforce Australia’s position as a global leader in sustainable fisheries management.
“These updated National Guidelines provide a clear and consistent framework to guide how harvest strategies are developed and applied across jurisdictions,” Mr Folpp said.
“The updated guidelines improve support for managing shared and multi-sector fisheries resources, ensuring a consistent approach across jurisdictions and fishing sectors.
“They also support better decision-making by clearly articulating the process to collaboratively develop management objectives, define how stock health is assessed, and ensure harvest levels are managed to achieve long-term sustainability and productivity”.
FRDC General Manager Research and Development Investment Crispian Ashby, said the collaborative development process was central to delivering a contemporary and practical resource for fisheries stakeholders.
“The 2nd Edition reflects extensive engagement across government, industry, research and community stakeholders to ensure the guidelines reflect current and future challenges and remain fit for purpose,” Mr Ashby said.
“Importantly, these guidelines go beyond baseline sustainability. They are designed to help transparently optimise fisheries outcomes – ecologically, economically, socially and culturally – for the benefit of all Australians”.
To support implementation, the guidelines are accompanied by practical tools and resources, including access to the Australian Harvest Strategy Database and development toolboxes to assist fisheries managers and practitioners.
The National Guidelines to Develop Fishery Harvest Strategies – 2nd Edition are now available online:
National Guidelines to Develop Fishery Harvest Strategies – 2nd Edition
This project was funded through FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government. More information on the project is available on the FRDC website here.
Gone Fishing Weekend 2026
For local recreational fishers, Gone Fishing Day is set to be bigger and better in 2026, with NSW expanding celebrations across the weekend of 17 - 18 October 2026.
In the lead up to Gone Fishing Weekend, DPIRD will continue to deliver a range of community fishing initiatives including “Take a mate” fishing days to be held on or around R U OK? Day (10 September), to encourage people to connect, check in and support one another through shared outdoor experiences.
The Gone Fishing Weekend events and the DPIRD fishing workshops are supported by DPIRD Fisheries and the Recreational Fishing Trust.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“The Minns Government is proud to see Gone Fishing Day expand into a full weekend—giving more people the chance to get outdoors and enjoy recreational fishing.”
“Gone Fishing Weekend is driven by local communities, particularly in regional NSW where clubs and volunteers bring these events to life.”
“We’re making it easier for local clubs to deliver hands-on, family-friendly fishing experiences that welcome people of all ages and skill levels.”
“Mark 17–18 October 2026 in your calendar—this year’s Gone Fishing Weekend is set to be bigger, more inclusive and more connected than ever.”