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North American red-eared slider turtles are spreading in the Sydney region, threatening native turtle populations by competing for food and nesting sites.

They are considered one of the world’s worst invasive species of waterways, breeding rapidly and carrying exotic diseases. They can spread salmonella bacteria to people, pets and other animals. Unlike native turtles they are also aggressive and will bite if handled.

Hundreds have been found so far in the Sydney basin and DPI is using trained detection Springer Spaniels to search for them.

The turtles have been illegally imported, and the sale or keeping of them is illegal. As a reflection of the biosecurity risks it presents, the red-eared slider turtle is classified as a Prohibited Dealing under the Biosecurity Act 2015. It is an offence to keep this species unless authorised, for example under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 or Animal Research Act 1985. In 2020 NSW DPI officers found 90 red-eared slider turtles and two alligator snapping turtles being illegally kept in one backyard in Sydney’s south-west. A Milperra man was convicted but the fine was just $4950 plus DPI’s investigative costs which totalled $2405.72.

For more information including how to identify, go to this link.

The public is are advised that if you see one, call DPI on 1800 680 244.

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Bass

Zero bag limit for bass and estuary perch starts 1 May and ends 31 August. Catch and release is allowed. The zero bag limit does not apply to fish in stocked freshwater impoundments, including Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast; anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round.

Trout

Spawning season starts 1 May in the Snowy Mountains and special rules apply to the Thredbo River and its tributaries and the Eucumbene River and its tributaries (upstream of the Lake Eucumbene dam wall and including Providence Portal). A minimum size limit of 50 cm, daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two trout will apply to these rivers from 1 May to the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Annual closure on fishing in trout streams for NSW will be in place from Tuesday after the Queen's Birthday weekend and re-opens on the October long weekend. Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.

When the season opens again in October, a minimum size limit of 25 cm, daily bag limit of two and possession limit of four trout again applies to the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers and other fly and lure only waters in NSW.

Murray cod

Season closed in NSW from 1 September to 31 November, except Copeton Dam.

Eastern Freshwater Cod

The annual three month fishing closure of the Mann and Nymboida Rivers and their tributaries comes into effect 1 August to 31 October. All fishing in the specified area is prohibited to enable the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod to spawn uninterrupted during its breeding season. Eastern Freshwater Cod are totally protected throughout NSW regardless of where or when they may be found.

Murray crayfish

Closed all year other than the following waters between 1 June and 31 August each year inclusive: (a) Murrumbidgee River between the Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagai and Berembed Weir near Ganmain and (b) Murray River from 130 below Hume Weir near Albury to the Newell Highway road bridge at Tocumwal

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