So I'm reading through 

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations

and the various PDF's there but nothing specifically really covers shrimp 

 

ie

 

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations/fw/fw-bag-and-size

 

anyone know more precise legal info?  These guides are flakey and filled with holes and I wouldn't want to get caught in a hole but none of the online sources I've come across are any better....maybe the law is just flakey?

Correct, there are no rules related to size or bag limits regarding shrimp, but if you are wanting to collect them for your aquarium, you should look into getting a permit.

Just to clarify - I'm not saying necessarily that everybody needs to have an aquarium collection permit before collecting shrimp, only that you should contact fisheries to determine if you should apply for one.

You can find info on aquarium collection permits that you can apply for here:

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/section-37-permits

Just be aware that you will need to do an environmental impact statement which is tedious, and you may need to get help from a qualified scientist (being one, I've always been able to do them myself).

A few tips I can give you to boost your chances of getting a permit through is to:

- don't propose to collect in National Parks (they wont let you anyway), reserves or other protected areas.

- minimise the total number of whatever it is you are collecting i.e. Dont ask to collect 1000 shrimp.

- provide all the info they ask for. If they ask for a map, give them a few maps.

- be specific about what you are going to do and how you do it. If you are going to use scoop nets, state that.

- Add things that show you understand what you are doing and that you want to minimise your impact on the environment.

For example, state that you will immediately release all females that are carrying eggs. This is required for crayfish in the fisheries rules, so its a good thing to follow for shrimp too.

- stick to the conditions and reporting requirements for the permits. This will increase your chances of getting another permit.

I have done a few permits through fisheries, especially for marine stuff for work. Its a very tedious exercise. Also dont expect it to come through swiftly, weeks to months is not uncommon in my experience.

Edited December 2, 201411 yr by fishmosy

Wow, that being the case there's a lot of mis information spread within the greater community (ie pretty much every other au forum basically boil it down to th recreational license)

As a moderator, I suggest you get a collection permit, but I realise few people do.

Once again it is best to speak to your local fisheries officer/s if you have specific questions regarding shrimp.

Edited December 2, 201411 yr by fishmosy

@Proto, we take pride in that we are not like every other au forum. :-)

@NoGi, I get that. Was more trying to highlight how common the wrong information is passed around.  I mean I've been googling nsw law around collecting for a few weeks now and this is the first time collection permits have actually come up....although possibly explains why there's so few sources for native species for sale online.