The event is free and aside from a nice relaxing day down by the beach it gives the community the chance to connect with their local fishing industry and for Oceanwatch to demonstrate their role in educating fishers and the community about sustainable fishing practises. NSW DPI fisheries managers will be on hand to discuss the management of the industry.

The fishers will supply and cook mullet sandwiches on the barbecue and music will be delivered by Bonny Hills band The Ghost Road Boys. The event at the South West Rocks Surf Club, starts at 11am and runs until 3pm.

Check what happened at last year’s event here.

There have been huge changes in the fishing industry in the past 12 months with the NSW Government’s Commercial Fisheries Business Adjustment Program introducing linkages between shares and catch and effort. Catch and effort is basically quota on either the amount you are allowed to catch or the amount of time you are allowed to fish; the more shares, the more catch and/or effort.

This has resulted in most commercial fishers needing to reassess their business activity with some fishers needing to purchase more shares from other fishers to maintain or increase their current activity and others to scale down or even exit a particular fishery.

The Government’s aim is to provide greater certainty and to provide long-term viability and sustainability of the NSW commercial fishing industry.

If you have nothing planned for Good Friday why not head down the beach, listen to some good music and have a mullet sandwich with the crew.