DPI acting director fisheries compliance, Tony Andrews, said the incident took place off North Shore Beach in May.

“Following a tip-off from the public, fisheries officers discovered commercial fishers had received assistance from two fishers who were not endorsed to take fish in the NSW Ocean Haul Fishery,” Mr Andrews said.

“It is alleged that the two fishers illegally assisted in the deployment and retrieval of the net to the beach and the removal of fish from the net.

“The fish were taken for commercial sale.”

The men were charged with offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 including contravening conditions of endorsements on commercial fishing licences and taking fish for sale while not authorised by a commercial fishing licence.

The Ocean Hauling Fishery is broken up into seven regions along the NSW coast and targets approximately 20 finfish species using commercial hauling and purse seine nets from sea beaches and in ocean waters within three nautical miles of the NSW coast.

Commercial fishers must hold sufficient shares in the Ocean Hauling Fishery to be eligible for an endorsement to operate in the fishery. An endorsement authorises the use of specific gear to take fish for sale from certain waters.

Mr Andrews said commercial fishing regulations are in place to conserve fish stocks and ensure fishing activities remain sustainable.

“The department works hard to protect our important fisheries resources and aquatic habitats for present and future generations,” he said.