Bay Explorer Marine Services

15/06/2026

13/06/2026

Another Kind of Bird Watching Takes Flight Off Port Macquarie

While many local bird enthusiasts have been celebrating recent rare sightings around Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie, there is another type of bird watching quietly gaining momentum and it is happening far beyond the shoreline.

Out on the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, groups of dedicated bird enthusiasts are heading offshore in search of some of Australia's most remarkable and least-seen bird species. Known as pelagic bird watching, the activity involves travelling out to sea to observe birds that spend most of their lives over the open ocean and are rarely seen from land.

Since 2025, the volunteer-run group Port Macquarie Pelagic has been organising monthly surveys and observation trips with the aim of documenting seabirds off the Mid North Coast. The group was established simply for the love of seabirds and to better understand the rich marine ecosystem that exists just beyond our beaches.

Many local anglers who regularly venture offshore may not realise the incredible diversity of birdlife soaring above and around them. Species such as Tahiti Petrels, Black Petrels, Grey-Faced Petrels, Kermadec Petrels and various shearwaters can often be found over the continental shelf and deeper ocean waters. These birds are perfectly adapted to life at sea, travelling vast distances across oceans in search of food.

The trips have been conducted aboard Port Macquarie Fishing Charters, skippered by Brett McKinnon, whose willingness to support the project has helped make the surveys possible.
According to local pelagic bird group creator James Bennett, the group's first year produced some exceptional records. A Soft-Plumaged Petrel observed in June and a Bulwer's Petrel recorded in November were both officially accepted by the NSW Ornithological Records Appraisal Committee (ORAC), providing valuable additions to the state's bird records.

Outings have highlighted just how spectacular the offshore environment can be. During a January trip, observers recorded nine seabird species alongside encounters with Risso's Dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, Oceanic Bottlenose Dolphins and what were believed to be Short-finned Pilot Whales. The remarkable discoveries have continued this year, with sightings of a Grey-Backed Storm Petrel and a South Polar Skua also requiring submission to ORAC. The Grey-backed Storm Petrel was particularly significant, with two birds recorded just two days apart, representing the most northerly records of the species ever documented in Australia.

The sightings serve as a reminder that Port Macquarie's natural wonders extend well beyond its beaches, estuaries and headlands. Hidden offshore is a thriving ecosystem where seabirds, dolphins and whales share one of the most dynamic marine environments on the east coast. For those interested in learning more or following future sightings, the Facebook group Port Macquarie Pelagic regularly shares trip reports, photographs and updates from the region's growing pelagic bird watching community.

Photo - One of two Grey-Backed Storm Petrels recorded off Port Macquarie within just two days, establishing the most northerly records of the species ever documented in Australia. Photo: James Bennett.

13/06/2026

🐟 Charity Fish Auction – Tomorrow at 1:00 PM! 🐟

Come down and support two great local causes: Marine Rescue Camden Haven and Lake Cathie Rural Fire Service.

There’s plenty of fresh fish available, including these fantastic Blue Eye Cod and Bass Groper!

Bring your family and friends, grab some fresh local seafood, and help support the volunteers who do so much for our community.

📍 Starts at 1:00 PM tomorrow at club lake Cathie
🎣 Fresh fish • Great cause • Community support

08/06/2026

Tagged Marlin Reveal Remarkable Journeys Along East Coast

Members of the Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club are celebrating two remarkable black marlin recaptures through the NSW Game Fish Tagging Program, highlighting the value of tag-and-release fishing and the contribution of local anglers to fisheries research. Female angler Tracey Kaczorowski tagged and released an 80kg black marlin measuring 180cm aboard Hermans Heroes off Port Macquarie on 15 January 2026. Just 33 days later, the fish was recaptured off Port Stephens, having travelled approximately 93 nautical miles. In another outstanding result, small fry PMGFC angler Ruby Dyson tagged and released a 12kg black marlin aboard Tinny Time off Port Macquarie on 30 December 2024. The fish was recaptured 366 days later off Mooloolaba after travelling an impressive 287 nautical miles and growing to 59kg. These recaptures provide valuable scientific data on marlin growth, migration and survival, while showcasing the dedication of Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club anglers to sustainable game fishing practices.

Fishing action remains strong across the Mid North Coast, with quality catches being reported from the Macleay, Hastings and Camden Haven regions. In the Macleay, anglers are finding good-sized bream and the occasional flathead around the breakwalls, while offshore reefs near South West Rocks are producing blue-eye trevalla and kingfish. The Hastings is enjoying an excellent luderick season, with fish over a kilogram landed around the breakwalls and coal wall, while mulloway to 20kg have also been reported. Beach anglers are finding success on bream and tailor at Oxley and Lighthouse beaches, and offshore reefs are yielding kingfish, teraglin, pearl perch and quality snapper. Further south in the Camden Haven, tailor continue to bite well along local beaches, particularly around Lake Cathie and Dunbogan, while rock anglers are landing drummer, tailor and school mulloway. Offshore, the snapper season remains a standout, with trophy reds, kingfish, pearl perch and a variety of reef species keeping anglers busy.

Anglers and seafood lovers are reminded that the Lake Cathie Fishing Club's annual Charity Fish Auction will be held next weekend at Club Lake Cathie. The popular community event, taking place on Sunday, 14 June, is free to attend and raises vital funds for both the Lake Cathie Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue Camden Haven. Anglers wishing to participate can wet a line across the three-day event from 12–14 June, with the official weigh-in commencing at 11:00am on Sunday. The highly anticipated fish auction will follow at 1:00pm, offering locals the opportunity to purchase fresh, locally caught seafood while supporting two worthy volunteer organisations. Whether you're a keen fisher or simply looking to enjoy a great community day out, everyone is welcome to attend. For further information and event details, search for "Lake Cathie Fishing Club" on Facebook.

30/05/2026

🚨🚨 TOMORROW IS THE DAY! 🚨🚨

This is it… the FINAL 24 HOURS to get your team into the 2026 Camden Haven Snapper Classic! 🔥🎣

The response this year has been absolutely incredible and we can’t wait to welcome an epic field of anglers to Laurieton this July 👊

💰 Over $20,000 in cash & prizes
🎁 Prizes are still rolling in
🎣 Some of the best snapper fishos around ready to battle it out
🏆 Glory, bragging rights and a place in Classic history up for grabs

⚠️ Spots are EXTREMELY limited ⚠️

If you’ve been meaning to enter…
If you’ve been talking about entering…
If your mates keep saying “we’ll do it tomorrow”…

👉 TOMORROW IS HERE.

Once entries close at 11:59PM Sunday night, that’s it. No extensions. No second chances. No late entries.

With spots almost gone and entries about to close, now is the time to lock your crew in.

Get the team together, scan the QR code on the poster, or hit the link below to head straight to the entries page and secure your spot before it’s too late! 🔥

Let’s make the 2026 Camden Haven Snapper Classic the biggest and best one yet! 🎣💥

27/05/2026

Ever wondered what happens to FADs in the off-season?

Each winter, DPIRD retrieves all FADs from its extensive statewide network for annual maintenance. All FAD buoys are cleaned and inspected and GPS trackers are replaced. New ropes are rigged to suit the depth at each location, chains, anchors, lights and light protectors are inspected and serviced and all gear is assembled to ensure the FADs are ready and up to standard to meet the forces of the East Australian current and large sea events next season.

This season, DPIRD trialled the use of radar reflectors in FAD surface buoys to reduce losses from vessel strikes. This was a resounding success with minimal losses for the season.

All FADs from Eden to Port Stephens have now been retrieved and FADs from Forster to Tweed Heads will follow from mid June. The FADs will be back on station in their usual locations between September and November.

Keep up to date by checking out the NSW Government's Fishsmart app or website before planning a trip to your local FAD in the coming weeks.

24/05/2026

A Reel Good Week for Fishing, Community and Charity

I’m pleased to announce that I have been selected to join the Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council (RFTAC). The Council provides advice to the Minister on how funds raised through the NSW Recreational Fishing Licence Fee should be invested to improve recreational fishing across the state. This includes reviewing funding applications and helping guide investment into projects such as fish stocking, habitat improvement, fishing infrastructure, recreational fishing facilities, education programs, and fisheries research. As part of the Council, I’ll be helping represent the interests of everyday recreational fishers across NSW, bringing practical fishing experience to the table.

In the Hastings this week, the breakwalls saw consistent catches of luderick, bream, and mulloway. Bream continued their reign on the beaches, with Lighthouse Beach boasting some nice catches. For those chasing bigger fish, tailor and school mulloway offered decent action, with the best reports coming from the beach between North Shore and Queens Head. Venturing offshore, conditions haven’t been great, but last week a few anglers headed out midweek and scored some great mackerel in Plomer Bay, along with plenty of tuna action as well.

Heading further south, the beaches around Grants Head and Dunbogan are offering a steady stream of bream and the occasional whiting. Tailor are keeping things interesting, and a few salmon are starting to show up. While there’s no word on monster mulloway, there are plenty of school-sized fish cruising around Lake Cathie. Inside the lake itself, the recent rain has given it a good top-up. If the rain continues and water levels rise further, we may see an opening later in the season if the trigger level is reached. Rock fishing remains productive, with reports of nice tailor, bream, and school mulloway catches. For those venturing even further south towards Crowdy Head, there are drummer and even the occasional snapper waiting to be hooked off the local ledges. For offshore anglers, reports indicate decent snapper, pearl perch, and kingfish are lurking around the Crowdy Head and Laurieton reefs.

The Lake Cathie Fishing Club is hosting their annual Charity Fish Auction this Sunday, June 14th at Club Lake Cathie. This free event is open to everyone, and proceeds will benefit both the Lake Cathie Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue Camden Haven. If you enjoy fishing, you can participate by casting a line on the 12th, 13th, and 14th June. The weigh-in starts on Sunday at 11:00am, followed by the exciting auction at 1:00pm. Even if you're not an angler, come down to score some fresh, local fish and support a great cause. Find out more details by searching for "Lake Cathie Fishing Club" on Facebook.

Rick Adorini was all smiles after reeling in this cracking 24.4kg Spanish mackerel in Plomer Bay last week.

23/05/2026

Well gang, fishing is full of surprises. Pictured is young gangster Heath and his dad Jason with a very healthy Mulloway they wrestled with at Lake Cathie. The fish ate a 2.5 inch soft plastic ‘grub’.
Great catch guys 👍
The beaches, rocks and offshore are off limits at the moment with big seas hammering our coastline but there are plenty of opportunities to catch a fish or two in our beautiful estuary systems as Jason and Heath found out.
Tight lines everyone 🎣