High-Tech Patrol Targets Illegal Fishing in Protected Marine Zones

Heading out for a fishing trip over the Australia Day long weekend? Make sure you know where you're allowed to cast your line—fishing in a protected green zone could land you with a hefty infringement notice.

Parks Australia is stepping up monitoring of illegal fishing activities across marine parks in the Temperate East and South-West Networks. At the heart of this operation is a cutting-edge autonomous vessel known as the Bluebottle.

These 22-foot, yacht-like vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art 360-degree day/night infrared cameras, radar, and satellite technology. This impressive tech provides marine park compliance officers with real-time information on illegal fishing activities, ensuring that those who break the rules are swiftly identified. The Bluebottle is just one of many tools being deployed to protect these precious marine ecosystems.

It is your responsibility to know where you can or can’t fish within Australian Marine Parks. Information about where you can fish is available on the Parks Australia website and recreational fishing mobile phone apps.

New South Wales fishers can download the FishSmart app, and West Australian fishers can download the Recfishwest app . People who fish illegally may face penalty infringement notices of up to $825.

Stay Informed and Report Suspicious Activity:

For information on the where you can fish, please visit Recreational fishing.

If you see any suspicious activity—like fishing where it’s not allowed—don’t hesitate to report it. You can call the reporting hotline at 1800 852 975 or email Marine.Compliance@dcceew.gov.au.

Your awareness and action can help protect Australia’s incredible marine biodiversity for generations to come!