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.

Any amended or new legislation should recognise the rights and aspirations of Tasmania’s recreational fishers that have not been formally recognised in legislation previously.

TARFish welcomes $20m Liberal commitment to recreational fishing infrastructure, calls on Labor to match and asks both parties to put aside politics and support fisher safety

Read TARFish’s submission on draft calamari management proposal from DPIPWE

We have prepared our Better Fishing for Everyone priorities for the Tasmanian State Election on 1 May 2021. We will proactively represent recreational fishers with Tasmania’s political parties in the lead up to the election to secure commitments that will deliver Better Fishing For Everyone.

TARFish does not support a general salt-water rod and line fishing licence or other broad-based fee on marine fishing.

We have prepared our Better Fishing for Everyone priorities for the Tasmanian State Election on 1 May 2021. We will proactively represent recreational fishers with Tasmania’s political parties in the lead up to the election to secure commitments that will deliver Better Fishing For Everyone.

TARFish does not support a general salt-water rod and line fishing licence or other broad-based fee on marine fishing.

It’s time for a new deal for rock lobster in the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone

TARFish, is pleased to announce the appointment of former Tasmanian Premier, Paul Lennon, as Independent Chairman to the TARFish Board.

TARFish is seeking the implementation of management measures that specifically protect Tasmania’s game fishery. For example, an exclusion period implemented immediately prior to formal game fishing events.

TARFish today panned the Ministers announcement on recreational rock lobster season dates for failing to support Tasmania’s 20,000 recreational rock lobster fishers in preference to the commercial sector.

“Enough is enough, it’s time that the Tasmanian Government stopped asking recreational fishers to pick up the tab for commercial overfishing on the East Coast of Tasmania,” said TARFish CEO Jane Gallichan.

TARFish lodged a submission in response to proposed Rock Lobster season dates for 2020-21. It is TARFish’s position is that the two-weekend buffer must be reinstated and not to do so directly disadvantages recreational fishers.

We have been working closely with Minister Barnett in recent weeks and indeed the last 24 hours to hasten the opening of the scallop season and on behalf of Tasmania’s scallop fishers, I thank him for listening and more importantly taking swift action on this.

TARFish lodged a submission in response to the Commonwealth Fisheries Resource Sharing Framework discussion paper.

TARFish, Tasmania’s recreational fishing peak body, helps land a major victory for Tasmania’s game fishers in the wake of the Southern bluefin tuna (SBT) fishery announcement by Tasmanian Senator and Commonwealth Assistant Fisheries Minister Jonno Duniam today.

“Tasmania’s recreational fishers are to be congratulated for their patience and understanding,” said TARFish CEO, Jane Gallichan.

“We’re a passionate lot and for so many recreational fishers to be landlocked for weeks on end has been tough but the end is in sight and I expect that boat ramps will be busy as fishers get out and back on the water this weekend. “

TARFish special bulletin on fishing responsibly during Covid-19 restrictions. The following information has been sourced from the Tasmanian Government and Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) on 6 April.