The latest IMAS survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania shows what we already knew – more Tasmanians are fishing more often! Find out what it means for sand flathead and more…

What’s the catch with calamari? Rated as depleted or depleting around Tasmania, NRE has proposed changes to spawning season closures and commercial management on the north coast. . More needs to be done to protect the remaining spawning aggregations and recover them to a sustainable level. Find out more at www.tarfish.org

NEW! TARFish has today launched the first of four weather buoys around Tasmania to deliver real-time weather and improve access, quality and safety of Tasmanian’s fishing experience. The free weather information service to rec fishers is available from the TARFish website at www.tarfish.org

We have prepared our Securing Our Fishing Futere priorities for the Tasmanian State Election on 23 March 2024. We will proactively represent recreational fishers with Tasmania’s political parties in the lead up to the election to secure commitments that will secure our fishing future.

Breaking News: scalefish rules revealed

Breaking News: Minister announces wins for rec fishers

The Minister is set to make decisions on the package of proposals in coming weeks. The draft departmental advice document was considered at RecFAC #83 on 19 July. We can’t share the specific document with you but we can share TARFish’s position on the matters considered.

The overall package of proposed management changes for recreational fishers is very restrictive and we encourage the Government to give some relief by providing alternative fishing opportunities.

There are around 100,000 fishers in Tasmania and this survey will help us better understand Tasmanian fishers, what they think and how they live their daily lives. So we really need your help.

Make your passion for recreational fishing your profession with this exciting new hands-on engagement role at TARFish.

Join TARFish and Professor Sean Tracey for a forum answering your questions around the science behind Sand Flathead stocks.

Find out where this year’s FADs are located and how to fish them with a top tip from Kelly “Hooch” Hunt.

TARFish has developed its position on Southern Garfish management in consultation with recreational fishers in October 2022.

TARFish has developed its position on Southern Calamari management in consultation with recreational fishers in 2022.

TARFish secures catch sharing and transiting provisions for rec fishers in new rules but there is a sting in the tail. Find out what the new Rock Lobster Rules mean for you.

A Hooch-led Agfest stand is four days of non-stop talking – about habitat restoration and all things fishing. Find out what he has to say about the event!  

We supported the successful overturning of the abalone rules last year, and now the abalone size limit changes will do what we always wanted – protection for spawning biomass.

There have been three RecFAC meetings this year.

At meeting #77, rock lobster and calamari management were the main features.

Meeting #78 focused on flathead and gillnetting.

The proposed rock lobster rule changes were discussed in meeting #79.

The Rock Lobster rules remake should be informed by: the review of the Living Marine Resources Act 1995, the development of a resource sharing framework, and a harvest plan for the rock lobster fishery.

These are crucial to the development of new rules that will have effect for a decade.

TARFish is particularly concerned that the development of the harvest strategy and the outcome of the review of the LMRA (i.e. new or amended legislation) is a necessary consideration and therefore rule changes that are likely to have a significant impact on the nature, structure and returns to community from the rock lobster fishery should be minimised in this process. Major changes could be facilitated by later rule amendments.

On balance, the overall rule changes proposed for recreational fishers are well supported by TARFish and the following sets out the specific issues or concerns related to each matter.