This dead marlin was dumped near Bruce Steer Pool, which can be seen in the background of this picture, in Bermagui in March. Photo: Supplied.
CONTENT WARNING: This article contains images some may find distressing.
A number of dead marlin were illegally dumped near an ocean pool in Bermagui earlier this month, distressing local residents and leading one to say it left the area looking like “a crime scene”.
On at least two days earlier in March, marlin carcasses were discarded on the ground next to bins at a boat ramp in the seaside town in southeast NSW.
The boat ramp is close to Bruce Steer Pool, which is a netted ocean pool that is popular with families and children.
A local resident and regular swimmer at the pool, who supplied photos from the scene to Region but did not wish to be named, said the incidents ignited a conversation on social media and “people found it disgusting and distressing”.
“There was so much blood,” she said.
“I was staggered by it, really, that they [whoever dumped the marlin] didn’t understand the distress and anger that it would cause.
“It looks like a crime scene.”
A spokesperson from Bermagui Big Game Anglers Club said their club had been in touch with Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) about the incidents, which they also found “very distressing”.
They said game fishing clubs worldwide promoted tag and release, including their own.
For instance, the club’s annual game fishing tournament earlier this year attracted 90 boats, nearly 400 anglers and saw 153 marlin tagged and released.
“Having said that, we can’t control people who come from elsewhere, who probably are not members of a game fishing club,” the club spokesperson said.
The club spokesperson said 2025 had been an extraordinary year for marlin fishing.
“But for the last month or so every day (weather permitting) there have been in excess of 100 boats fishing out of Bermagui. By far the majority being interstate registered,” they said.
“With that many people in town, even if the majority are releasing their fish, it only takes a few to fill the small bins that were at the boat ramp.”
The club spokesperson said for the past several years, Ocean to Earth’s large bins were at the Bermagui boat ramp.
This company turned leftover fish product into fertiliser, which they said was a “great initiative”.
Bruce Steer Pool in Bermagui is a popular place for families. Photo: Bega Valley Shire Council.
“Unfortunately, like many great ideas, the bins were used by people to dump household rubbish and other items which then made the process impossible. So those bins were removed,” the club spokesperson said.
“Bega Valley Shire Council had to replace the large ‘green’ bin with red bins. After our discussion with them the small bins have now been replaced by larger bins. And pickup frequency has been increased.”
A spokesperson for BVSC said council had organised several clean-ups in response to the recent dumping incidents.
When asked if there were enough bins available in Bermagui for fishers to dispose of their fish waste, the spokesperson said there were sufficient bins available for fishers in general.
“This recent situation appears to have coincided with an unusually active marlin run and an influx of over 100 boats visiting the area, creating additional pressure on waste disposal,” they said.
“Council’s town team and contractor have been actively addressing the recent issue, including surrounding area clean up and delivering a new 660 L bin to the Bermagui boat ramp. This is being serviced twice a week until further notice.”
The local resident and swimmer thought whoever had caught the marlin had the responsibility to dispose of the bodies properly.
“It just shows a disregard for the local community,” she said.
The council spokesperson said dumping fish remains in public spaces was an offence, with fines ranging from $1000 for individuals to $5000 for corporations.
If the waste pollutes waterways, penalties can increase significantly, with potential fines of up to $45,000.
