Proposed changes to scallop rules: there’s good news and bad news
The State Government’s proposed rule changes for the recreational and commercial scallop fishery is a mixed bag.
Here is a summary of TARFish’s draft response and we’re keen to receive rec fisher feedback before it is sent back to the State Government.
1. TARFish strongly supports the proposal to introduce catch sharing arrangements
TARFish recommends that recreational scallop licenses be monitored and publicly reported to identify the effect on participation. In addition, TARFish notes that assessment of the recreational scallop fishery is over a decade old and the recent Recreational Fishing Survey (Tracey and Stark, 2024) provides little insight into this fishery. TARFish suggests that updated research is required to better understand this fishery in terms of participation and impacts.
2. TARFish does not object to the imposition of a boat limit.
TARFish maintains its broad position of not supporting the introduction of boat limits, in this specific instance due to the potential for localised depletion and in the interest of maintaining scallop bed productivity, TARFish does not object to a boat limit.
3. TARFish supports the rule change for the presumption of take or possession
TARFish supports the rule change for the recreational scallop fishery on the basis it is likely to improve compliance and reduces potential for poaching and it is consistent with our position on a similar rule for rock lobster,
4. TARFish does not support the proposal to allow commercial dive for scallop on the basis that:
The current management of the scallop fishery minimises interactions between the commercial and recreational sector, Additionally, the current commercial fishery structure is commercially viable and the fishery is generally well managed. TARFish supports maintenance of the status quo. TARFish further notes that the consultation paper provides no explanation or reason to change the status quo.
There is a complete absence of a management plan and other guiding documents to support the sustainable development of a commercial dive scallop fishery.
It appears the rule changes are in response to oversupply of commercial dive effort, across a range of fisheries, that is not being appropriately managed.
The signalled intention to open a commercial dive fishery above 20 metres is likely to result in serial depletion and impact recreational fishing and is unlikely to be supported by recreational fishers due to the impact on the “limited number of inshore beds” as identified in the consultation paper as the reason for introducing a boat limit.