The killing of a protected fish species by a spear fisher in Sydney over the weekend is being investigated.
According to local reports, onlookers were left outraged after an endangered blue groper (Achoerodus viridis) was allegedly speared and killed at Oak Park in Cronulla on Saturday.
Local people believe the fish may be “Gus”, a 35- to 40-year-old blue groper who is well-known to swimmers and divers in the area.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said it was investigating after it received a photograph and information regarding the incident.
“Blue gropers are the official state fish and we are disappointed to hear one may have been illegally speared in Cronulla,” a spokesperson said. “Groper are protected from commercial fishing and spearfishing.”
The NSW agriculture and fisheries minister, Tara Moriarty, said this has been “terribly disappointing” for the local community.
“The Blue Groper … is a friendly but powerful coastal fish that will follow and interact with divers and swimmers,” he said.
“They are gentle and grow old in locations which is why so many people get to know them.
“It’s terribly disappointing for the local community of Cronulla’s Oak Park Beach who have publicly and privately shared their sadness at the loss of ‘Gus’ due to illegal spearfishing.”
Moriarty encouraged fishers and spearfishers to know their responsibilities, with information available on the DPI wesbite.
People can be issued on-the-spot fines of $500 for taking a groper by any method other than a line or handline, for possessing one of a prohibited size, or exceeding the bag limit of two.
Maximum penalties include a $22,000 fine or six months in jail.
Blue gropers are known for being peaceful, friendly and inquisitive. They can grow to 1.2 metres long and stand out with their bright blue colouring.
Cronulla’s “Gus” is not the only blue groper to become well-loved in their community.
In 2002, the then premier, Bob Carr, expressed outrage at the killing of a blue groper at Clovelly, initially thought to be local character “Bluey”.