In one of the best starts to the holiday fishing season, kingfish have been plentiful but when anglers return to Apex Park boat ramp to clean their catch, they have been left bitterly disappointed.

The water to the fish cleaning tables has been turned off and rangers have been out enforcing the new rules that only allow boat motors to be flushed but do not allow boats to be hosed down.

Eurobodalla Shire Council roads and recreation manager Warren Sharpe said no fines had been issued, however rangers have been out and about advising and educating boat owners.

New signs will be installed shortly as the decision to restrict water usage was only made on December 27, and then rangers will be able to enforce the restrictions at these locations.

Since Level 3 water restrictions came into force, rangers have issued some fines to residents who have been watering their gardens outside the nominated hours.

Visiting angler David Kramer who has promoted Narooma on his River to Reef television program and is doing his 3AW fishing show live from Narooma over the holiday period, says the disconnection of water at the cleaning table is very disappointing.

The fish cleaning table is now unhygienic, smelly and covered in old scales.

“Narooma is famous for its facilities having five boat ramps in town with four of them known for their fish cleaning and boat wash down facilities,” Mr Kramer said.

“If the three kids in the caravan park showers last Wednesday evening had cut their 40 minute showers back to 10, they would have saved the equivalent of an entire weeks’ fish cleaning table water use.

“And what is more disappointing is the stories around town that the water was only disconnected days before the holiday period started.”

Recreational anglers are well aware of the drought conditions having lost many inland fisheries due to lack of water as well as seeing many estuaries closed and the fishing deteriorating, he said.

“I urge the local council to reconnect the water using spring loaded taps and have some faith in the responsible anglers who do the right thing in regards to water conservation, and recognise the value the recreational fishers contribute to the local economy.”

A group of Narooma swimmers meanwhile has written to the council asking for the showers to be reconnected at Bar Beach with spring-loaded taps.