POLICE cracked down on illegal fishing from Boyds Bay Bridge over the weekend.

Tweed police Inspector Darren Steel said complaints from Tweed Shire Council had led to 11 infringement notices and 15 cautions being issued on Friday and Saturday.

“There is clear signage prohibiting fishing from the bridge,” Insp Steel said.

“We plan to continue to target the area as this can be very dangerous.”

Numerous anglers can regularly be seen fishing from the bridge at night on weekends, and there are fears about their lines coming into contact with cars, people below the bridge and boats travelling underneath.

“If you get a few people up there at a time, their lines could dangle over the road underneath and anything could get tangled up under there,” Insp Steel said.

Fishing in the prohibited area can attracts a fine of $156.

Unlicensed recreational fishers also face an additional $200 fine.

Peter Faux, of the Tweed Coast Amateur Fishing Clubs Association, said the signage was clear.

“If it’s illegal, it’s illegal, that’s it,” he said.

“There is plenty of areas down around the rock walls on either side of the bridge.”

Mr Faux acknowledged fishing from the river banks was less successful, but rules were rules.

“Although the banks may not be as good, they’re legal areas to fish,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what the rules are, you just have to follow them.

He said fishing on bridges could be a potential hazard for boats passing underneath.

“Fishing above where the boats travel under the bridge is a clear safety hazard,” he said.

“As far as I know none of our members fish there, and we definitely don’t encourage fishing in prohibited areas.”