Fisherman’s could be fined $22k for allegedly killing iconic blue groper at Hungry Point

A fisherman has been stunned by a potential $22,000 fine after discovering he’d illegally killed an iconic Aussie fish.

A spearfisherman’s jubilant mood quickly turned sour when he was told he could face a fine of up to $22,000 after reportedly killing an iconic blue groper off the coast of Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

According to St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, the incident was witnessed by a local resident earlier this week who was fishing with her son at Hungry Point and took a photo of the fisherman’s catch.

“I took a photo, not realising at the time what he had killed,” she said. “When I found out I went back and told him it was a Blue Groper and he could be fined up to $22,000.

“He took off pretty fast after that and stopped whooping.”

The Blue Groper, known for being non-aggressive and inquisitive, has been the official fish of New South Wales since 1996 and is protected by law from spearfishing and commercial enterprise.

While it’s unclear exactly where on the point the fish was speared, Hungry Point sits on the opening to Port Hacking, which is a no spearfishing zone.

“Maybe there should be signs at Hungry Point for spearfishermen who don’t know, or need reminding what they are lawfully entitled to kill and not kill,” the resident said.

A spearfisherman could have been fined up to $22,000 for killing blue groper in Sydney's south.

“Tragically, it would be too late for this gentle giant. It’s a shame there were no fisheries licensing officers around.”

A spokesperson for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries clarified that blue groupers are protected from commercial fishing and spearfishing.

“Gropers can only legally be taken by line in NSW,” she said. “For recreational fishers, a minimum size limit of 30cm and a bag limit of two (with only one fish over 60cm) applies.”

Penalties for breaking these regulations include a $500 on-the-spot fine per offence for taking a groper by any method other than a line or handline, possession of prohibited size or exceeding the bag limit.

Maximum penalties by way of court prosecution for an individual are $22,000 and/or six months imprisonment for a first offence relating to size and bag limits, and $11,000 for taking a groper by an unlawful method.

The spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries noted, “It is important that all recreational fishers familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations that apply to the fish they are targeting, as penalties can be severe.”

Originally published as Fisherman’s could be fined $22k for allegedly killing iconic blue groper at Hungry Point