People are being asked to be “conscientious and environmentally responsible” when disposing of fish waste after recent reports of scraps getting dumped on roadsides.

Waste and excess bait from locally caught fish can be discarded at sea, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Works and Engineering advised.

The waste can also be frozen for use as bait or chum.

A spokesman said Lionfish were the exception, due to the danger posed by their toxic spines.

The invasive species must be disposed of in deep ocean water or sealed in a puncture-proof container and delivered to the Tynes Bay Public Drop-Off.

Imported fish products that were not previously cooked or frozen should never be dumped into the marine environment because of the risk of spreading disease to local fish.

Waste from seafood eaten at home should be sealed or kept frozen for regular household trash collection days.

Fish waste cannot be disposed of in any public waste bin, where it poses a health risk to the public as well as Department of Parks staff and waste collection workers.

Dumping of fish and other waste in public areas, including roadsides and the Railway Trail, is a criminal offence subject to a $5,000 fine for a first summary conviction, and up to $10,000 for subsequent convictions.

A chart for proper waste disposal is available online as well as the BTC Phone Book Blue Pages.