RECREATIONAL SEA FISHERIES NEWS

Scalefish rule changes open for public consultation

As a community, it’s our responsibility to take care of these fish species, not only for ourselves but also for the fishers of the future.

So, the Government is proposing a range of rule changes which are now open for public consultation so anyone in the community can provide feedback.

What changes are being proposed?

There are a range of changes proposed for both recreational and commercial fishers as part of the Scalefish Rule Review, including:

• Fish size and catch limits for depleted and depleting species;

• Regional management for some depleted and depleting species;

• Two new limited commercial calamari licence types;

• Recreational gillnetting arrangements; and

• Registration of charter fishing operations and reporting requirements.

The proposed rules have been developed based on scientific advice from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS).

You can learn more about the other proposed changes, and why they are being proposed at: fishing.tas.gov.au/scalefish-review

Any recreational rule changes would not come into effect until 1 November 2023.

Scalefish Fishery Rules Review

Wild Fisheries Management Branch

NRE Tas

GPO Box 44

HOBART TAS 7001

There will also be public information sessions held throughout the state if you would like to talk to fisheries managers and scientists about the proposed changes before you make your submission.

You can also catch up with us at the Fishing Hub at Agfest.

Immediate interim protections for sand flathead

Sand flathead are the foundation of recreational fishing in Tasmania, accounting for 70% of recreational catch each year.

In consideration of this, and the depleted status of sand flathead, the Government is implementing immediate interim measures for sand flathead to provide protection for this iconic species until more comprehensive measures can be put in place, following public consultation on the Scalefish Rules Review.

The minimum size limit of sand flathead has been increased from 32 to 35 centimetres for both recreational and commercial fishers, and a new statewide bag limit of 10 sand flathead for recreational fishers has been implemented.

Commercial fishers will also not be allowed to take sand flathead from Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays.

Every 5-10 years, the Government reviews the rules (like size limits and bag limits) for our scalefish fishery, so we can make changes to make sure that our fisheries stay healthy and sustainable for many more years.

Species Stock Status

Sand flathead

Calamari

Striped trumpeter

Bastard trumpeter

Southern garfish

Blue warehou

Jackass morwong

Depleted

Depleting

It’s now time for a review of the rules again, and we know from the annual Scalefish Fisheries Assessment from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) that we need to make some changes.

Seven of our scalefish species, including some favourites, are either depleting or depleted, which means that they are being overfished, and current rules and management are not enough for them to recover in the future.

How can I have my say?

Public consultation is open until midnight 29 May. Anyone in the community is invited to have their say on the proposed changes, by: Filling out the online form at: fishing.tas.gov.au/ scalefish-review

Emailing a written submission to scalefish.review@ nre.tas.gov.au

These interim measures will remain in place until the new scalefish fishery rules come into effect for recreational fishers on 1 November 2023. More information is available at: fishing.tas.gov.au/flatheadfor-the-future.