Fish - fishing
Advice about the management of fishing for NSW schools.
All teachers and students involved in fishing as part of a school activity, must adhere to the advice provided in the National code of practice for recreational and sport fishing (2012).
This code was developed by Recfish Australia in recognition of the need for more sustainable fishing practices and an agreed national standard for recreational fishing.
The categories of activities, as described on this website, do not apply to fishing when it is carried out as part of a school activity and when the National code of practice for recreational and sport fishing (with an amendment to point 2) is adhered to.
This amendment to point 2 is as follows:
Fish to be used for human consumption must be killed quickly by initially administering an accurate, sharp blow to the head followed by rapid severing the spinal chord or decapitation.
The National Code of Practice for Recreational and Sport Fishing addresses four main areas of fishing responsibility:
- Treating fish humanely
- Looking after our fisheries
- Protecting the environment
- Respecting the rights of others.
The four overriding objectives form a framework incorporating fourteen more specific principles. These principles are:
- Quickly and correctly returning unwanted or illegal catch to the water
- Quickly and humanely killing fish that are kept for consumption
- Using only appropriate, legal tackle, attending all fishing gear and valuing our catch
- Taking no more than our immediate needs
- Supporting and encouraging activities that preserve, restore and enhance fisheries and fish habitat
- Understanding and observing all fishing regulations and reporting illegal fishing activities
- Preventing pollution and protecting wildlife by removing rubbish
- Taking care when boating and anchoring to avoid damage to wildlife and habitat
- Using established roads and tracks
- Reporting environmental damage
- Avoiding unnecessary interactions with wildlife species and their habitats
- Practicing courtesy towards all those who use inland and coastal waters
- Obtaining permission from landholders and traditional owners before entering land
- Caring for our own safety and the safety of others when fishing.