THE Department of Primary Industries (DPI) presented Gone Fishing on the Nelson Bay foreshore over the weekend.

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Hundreds of locals and visitors took the opportunity to check out the displays by Marine Rescue, DPI, Services NSW, Bay Boat Sales, and TackleWorld who provided information on fishing and using the waterways safely.

Duffs Bait and Tackle provided the bait for the kids’ fishing clinics which ran throughout the day with some good catches, including bream, whiting, tarwhine and long toms, achieved off Nelson Bay Beach at the Eastern Groyne.

Chef Ben Way of Little Beach Boathouse was on hand to showcase how to cook the fish that we find locally and presented cooked and raw options including a delicious Japanese style sashimi ponzu style with a soy and citrus dressing.

Ben shared hints and tips on how to prepare and serve the fish that we catch locally.

Potentially the biggest hit with the kids on the day was the touch pool.

Bay local Jo Drake told News Of The Area, “My kids found it amazing.”

Her daughter Charlotte Drake said, “It’s not even scary to hold a Banjo Shark.”

The touch pool also taught her things like Port Jackson Sharks have two spikes on them and that the Banjo Shark feels a bit rough.

The event was a part of a statewide initiative which was aimed at promoting information on bag limits and fish sizes as well as providing information on the Marine Park and its regulations.

By Marian SAMPSON