Breaking News: scalefish rules revealed
The Minister has just announced the new scalefish rules - below are the bit ticket items. But first, our views on what’s been announced today:
Message from the CEO - Jane Gallichan
We spoke to recreational fishers from Smithton to Southport during the scalefish review and they believe in sustainable fisheries management.
We want our kids and our grandkids to be able to enjoy the Tasmanian way of life like we have done for so many generations.
But there is no doubt that today’s announcement on sand flathead is a tough one.
That said, it would be even tougher unless TARFish had presented such compelling arguments to the Minister.
Through our efforts, and that of the thousands of recreational fishers and the businesses that support them, we would not have the ongoing access that we have.
No one can say that recreational fishers are not prepared to do their bit to protect their way of life.
We thank the Minister for engaging with us and supporting the position we put forward.
We believe today’s decision shows that advocacy works and that we have the balance right.
We know action to support the recovery of sand flathead is needed but at the same time, allow Tasmanians to continue to fish for the state’s most loved and iconic species – the sand flathead.
We also know that recreational fishing is an economic powerhouse in Tasmania.
Today’s decision on sand flathead means that the thousands of recreational fishers, tackle shops, boat sellers and regional communities that have recreational fishing as part of their lives and businesses can have future surety.
So while this is tough, we are buoyed by the Minister’s commitment to review the decision in two years. We hope that by taking the action we need to now, that increased access to sand flathead will be possible in the very near future.
Our advocacy for recreational fishers will not stop and there is more work to do.
We don’t agree with every decision announced today, and we also want to see our reduced access to sand flathead and striped trumpeter offset by increased access in a range of other fisheries and improved fishing opportunities for shore-based fishers and emerging species such as snapper and King George whiting.
Sand flathead
✅ No requirement to land whole or with heads and frames
✅Complete ban on commercial fishing
Size limits: min. 35- max 40cm in all waters except for King and Flinders Island that have no maximum size.
Bag limits:
D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Derwent River, Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays = 2
East (and south-east outside of the waters named above) = 5
North (including King and Flinders Islands) = 10
Possession limits: 10 for all areas
Striped Trumpeter
Size limits: No change
Bag limits:
East = 2 (Possession =8, Boat = 8 (Boundaries at Port Sorell/Whale Head)
West region = 4, (Possession - 8, Boat = 12)
Bastard Trumpeter
Size: 42cm
Bag limits:
East = 2 (possession = 8, boat = 8)
West = 5 (possession = 10, boat = 15)
Blue warehou and jackass morwong
Boat limit introduced = 30
And don’t forget…
The Minister has already:
✅Ruled out the ban on spearfishing for key species
✅Ruled out changes to calamari for this season
✅Dumped changes to charter boat operators
✅Dumped proposed rule to change catch limits and or size limits by public notice
Thank you to every rec fisher, tackle shop and boat dealer that worked with us to get the best result possible.
There is still more to do we’ll keep working hard to get the best results for rec fishers.. When we all work together we get things done! Come join us, we need your help!