Depar tment of Pr imar y Industr ies, Par ks, Water and EnvironmentWild Fisher ies Management BranchDepar tment of Pr imar y Industr ies, Par ks, Water and Environment

Recreational

1 November 2019 - 31 October 2020

Sea FishingGuide

2019-20

Is your catch legal size?

There are no excusesfor undersize fish.Rulers and gauges available free from Service Tasmania shops.

Recreational

Rock Lobster Gauge

THIS GAUGE IS A GUIDE ONLY

www.fishing.tas.gov.au

MALE

110mm

FEMALE

Waters other

than North

West zone

POT

ESCA

PE

GA

P HEIG

HT

57mm

North West

zone

105mm

120mm

FISHWATCH

REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING

0427 655 5571. Spread the

antennal horns.

2. Place the gauge tip hard

into the middle notch.

3. Measure from notch

to end of carapace.

enla

rgem

en

t

RecreationalAbalone Gauge

THIS GAUGE IS A GUIDE ONLY

www.fishing.tas.gov.au

FISHWATCHREPORT ILLEGAL FISHING0427 655 557

1. Check size before detaching from rock.

2. Measure the widest part of the shell.

GREENLIP

120mm

138mm

BLACKLIPArthur River east toMusselroe Point

Other waters

145mmOtherwaters

132mm Montagu Island eastto Bridport

RecreationalScallop GaugeTHIS GAUGE IS A GUIDE ONLY

www.fishing.tas.gov.au FISHWATCHREPORT ILLEGAL FISHING0427 655 557

Measure the widestpart of the shell

COMMERCIAL& QUEEN

100mm

80mm

DOUGHBOY

FIS

HW

AT

CH

REPO

RT IL

LEG

AL

FISH

ING

0427

655

557

Silv

er t

reva

lly

10

20

Blu

e-ey

e tr

eval

la

5

10

25

Cod

1

5

30

Stri

ped

trum

pete

r

4

8

20

Scho

ol a

nd G

umm

y sh

ark

2

2

or 4

5cm

hea

ded

and

taile

d

maximum size forBanded morwong

Aus

tral

ian

salm

on

15

30

A

tlan

tic

salm

on

(mar

ine w

ater

s)

12

24

War

ehou

1

0

20

Snap

per

5

10

Kin

g G

eorg

e W

hiti

ng

5

1

0

Bas

tard

tru

mpe

ter

5

10

Ban

ded

mor

won

g

2

4

Flat

head

, San

d an

d T

iger

2

0

30

Long

snou

t bo

arfis

h

2

4

Yello

wta

il ki

ngfis

h

5

1

0

Wra

sse

5

10

Flat

head

, B

lues

pott

ed a

nd R

ock

O

nly

1 ov

er 6

0cm

5

10

Flou

nder

1

5

30

Jack

ass

mor

won

g

10

20

Gar

fish

1

5

30

Mul

let

1

5

30

Bre

am

5

1

0

Leat

herj

acke

t

10

20

B

arra

cout

a

15

30

Swor

dfish

or

Mar

lin

1

1

2

Mac

kere

l and

Red

bait

3

0

60

Tu

na (

Blu

efin,

Yel

low

fin, B

igey

e)

2

2

4

(O

nly

2

over

1.5

m)

Pike

, Lon

gfin

1

5

30

Snoo

k

5

10

Shar

k (M

ako

and

Blu

e)

1

2

2

Shar

ks a

nd R

ays,

oth

er

2

4

Gur

nard

and

Oce

an P

erch

15

30

El

epha

ntfis

h

2

4

Squi

d, G

ould

s

15

30

Tr

out

(mar

ine w

ater

s)

12

24

*Oth

er fi

sh n

ot li

sted

, ex

cept

orn

amen

tal s

peci

es

5

10

Whi

ting

, oth

er

1

5

30

Tuna

, Ski

pjac

k

10

20

Tu

na, A

lbac

ore

5

10

Sq

uid,

Cal

amar

i

10

20

20cm

55cm

75cm

25cm

30cm

35cm

38cm

32cm

40cm

SHA

RK

S A

ND

RA

YS

BO

AT

LIM

IT

(all s

pecie

s com

bine

d)

5

from

the

nose

to

the

end

of t

he t

ail e

xcep

t:

shar

k: n

ose

to ta

il or b

ack

gill s

lit to

bas

e of

ta

il if h

eade

d an

d ta

iled

band

ed m

orw

ong:

nose

to fo

rk o

f the

tail

garfish: u

pper

jaw

to th

e en

d of

the

tail

Cat

ch li

mits

are

a com

bined

tota

l fo

r all s

pecie

s in

a fish

grou

p.

MEA

SUR

E SC

ALE

FISH

No

Min

imum

Siz

e

Min

imum

Ba

g Po

sses

sion

Bo

atsi

ze

limit

limit

limit

20cm

GU

IDE

TO

SY

MB

OLS

45cm

36 -

46c

m

Rec

reat

iona

l Fi

sh R

uler

Valid

as

of 1

Nov

embe

r 20

15.

Thi

s ru

ler

is a

gui

de o

nly.

Siz

e an

d po

sses

sion

lim

its m

ay c

hang

e.

For

upda

ted

info

rmat

ion

go t

o www.fishing.tas.gov.au

or

dow

nloa

d th

e T

as F

ish

Gui

de a

pp.

Dep

artm

ent o

f Prim

ary

Indu

stries

, Par

ks, W

ater

and

Env

ironm

ent

BL11

180

Illu

stra

tions

by

Pete

r Gou

ldth

orpe

10

23

45

67

89

1011

1213

1415

1617

1819

2021

2223

2425

2627

2829

3031

3233

3435

3637

3839

4041

4243

4445

4647

4849

5051

5253

5455

5657

5859

6061

6263

6465

6667

6869

7071

7273

7475

7677

7879

FISHWATCHREPORT ILLEGAL FISHING

0427 655 557

BL11180

20cm

30cm35cm

38cm

36 - 46cm32cm

40cm

25cm

Australian salmon

Leatherjacket

Silver trevally

Boarfish, Yellowtail kingfish, School and Gummy shark (headed and tailed) 45cm

Striped trumpeter 55cm

School and Gummy shark 75cm

SnapperWrasse

Whiting

- King George

Bastard trumpeter

Banded morwong Flathead, Sand and Tiger

Flathead,

Bluespotted and Rock.

Only 1 over 60cmWarehouBream

FlounderGarfish

Morwong, JackassMullet

Recreational Fish Ruler

Valid as of 1 November 2015.

This ruler is a guide only. Size and possession limits may change.

For updated information go to www.fishing.tas.gov.au

or download the Tas Fish Guide app.

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Minimum legal size 32cm

Don’t keep flathead smaller than this.

Use this ruler to measure your catch.

Sand flathead

BL10

985

Illu

stra

tion

by P

eter

Gou

ldth

orpe

Help released flathead survive

• Use a de-hooker to quickly release unwanted fish

• If the hook is swallowed, cut the line

• Choose circle or barbless hooks to increase survival

• Use a damp cloth or wet hands if you must handle fish

This ruler is a guide only. Valid as at 1 November 2015.

www.fishing.tas.gov.au

Flathead catch limits

Size limits: Flathead, Sand and Tiger 32cm

Flathead, Bluespotted and Rock 40cm

Possession limits:

Flathead, Sand and Tiger (combined) 20 30

Flathead, Bluespotted and Rock (combined) 5 10

(only 1 over 60cm)

Flathead ID Guide

Sand flathead: Sandy brown, dark bands on the body and black

blotch on the tail fin. The lower spine on the gill cover is longer

than the upper.

Tiger flathead: Grey brown with darker bands and orange

spots. Lower tail fin has no markings. A rounder body and

larger teeth than the sand flathead. The lower spine on the gill

cover is longer than the upper.

Bluespotted flathead: Light brown body scattered with

small blue spots intermingled with dark blotches. Dark spots

surrounded by white on the tail fin. The two gill cover spines

are a similar length.

Rock flathead: A mottled dark greenish brown body with rows

of dark spots on the tail fin. The lower gill cover spine is shorter

than the upper.

Bag limit Possession limitGUIDE TO SYMBOLS

Depar tment of Pr imar y Industr ies,

Par ks, Water and Environment

Flathead

Pocket Ruler

gill coverspines

MINISTER’S MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 FISHERY NEWS AND RESEARCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

LICENCES AND SEASONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 LICENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SEASONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

SCALEFISH AND SHARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SCALEFISH - SIZE AND CATCH LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SHARK - SIZE AND CATCH LIMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 BAIT AND BERLEY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SCALEFISH FISHING GEAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 RESPONSIBLE FISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ABALONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SIZE AND CATCH LIMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

ROCK LOBSTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SIZE AND CATCH LIMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ROCK LOBSTER FISHING GEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ROCK LOBSTER AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

OTHER FISHERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SCALLOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SQUID, CALAMARI AND OCTOPUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 CRABS, PRAWNS AND SEAWEED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SHELLFISH AND SHELL COLLECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 MARINE PESTS AND DISEASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 PROTECTED AND THREATENED SPECIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

EATING SEAFOOD SAFELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 MARINE NATURE RESERVES AND RESEARCH AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SHARK REFUGE AREAS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 NET AND LINE AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 ESTUARIES, RIVERS AND LAGOONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 CONTACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE LIMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

1 November 2019 - 31 October 2020

3

CONTENTS

Welcome to the 2019/20 Recreational Sea Fishing Guide.

As a keen salt and fresh water angler, I am delighted to be the Minister responsible for fisheries and am enjoying working with the recreational fishing community to deliver on the Hodgman Liberal Government’s commitments to the sector.

Fishing is a key part of the Tasmanian way of life. For many of us, catching a feed of fish with friends and family is a treasured part of life.

The results of the latest survey of recreational fishers show that over 100,000 of us take to the water to go fishing every year. The survey results are used to sustainably manage our fisheries and provide essential information about the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing to the Tasmanian community.

The Government continues to progress commitments to support recreational sea fishers including:

· Funding to Councils to improve access to jetties across the State;

· The replacement of derelict jetties around the very popular Georges Bay area;

· Improving boat and trailer parking at popular facilities including Coles Bay, Swansea and Pirates Bay;

· Funding for artificial reef structures and new Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) to provide a new range of fishing opportunities for recreational fishers; and

· Continued funding to our marine research partner, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, to ensure robust science is behind our decision making.

As these and other commitments continue to roll-out, the Government will work with recreational anglers on a new Tasmanian Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy to address issues important to Tasmanians anglers such as fishing rules and access, research and funding.

Your input and experience will help outline a sustainable future for recreational fishing in our state and I look forward to continuing to work with you.

I wish you the best for the coming fishing season.

Guy Barnett MP Minister for Primary Industries and Water

Recreational Sea Fishing Guide

4

MINISTER’S MESSAGE

Abalone Rule ChangesNew recreational abalone rules now apply including:

• regional bag and boat limits;• reduced catch limits; • new specifications for tools to measure

and remove abalone;• allowing the consumption of one

abalone at sea; • a ban on night fishing; and• restricting the age for abalone licence

holders to 10 years and older.See page 32.

Female Rock Lobster Size Limit increased in North West

The recreational size limit for female rock lobster has increased to 120mm in the North West zone (waters bounded in the south at latitude 42°S on the West Coast and in the north by a line running northward at Point Sorell). See page 36.

In other state waters, the female size limit remains at 105mm.

Northern Calamari Spawning Closure2019: Tasmania’s north coast closed from 1-31 October to protect spawning squid including calamari. The closure area applies from Cape Grim east to Cape Naturaliste.

2020: The closure areas and dates will be reviewed based on Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) research findings. Confirmation about closures applying in 2020 will be available by mid-2020.

See www.fishing.tas.gov.au or follow Fisheries Tasmania Facebook for maps and more information.

Report Black Spots in FlatheadCaught any flathead with black spots in the flesh? Use the online form at www.blackfilletproject.com.au to report it to IMAS scientists who continue to monitor the occurrence of melanisation in Tasmanian fish species.

1 November 2019 - 31 October 2020

RecreationalRock Lobster Gauge

THIS GAUGE IS A GUIDE ONLY

www.fishing.tas.gov.au

MALE 110mm

FEMALEWaters otherthan NorthWest zone

POT

ESCA

PEG

AP H

EIGH

T57m

m

North Westzone

105mm

120mm

FISHWATCHREPORT ILLEGAL FISHING0427 655 557

1. Spread the antennal horns.2. Place the gauge tip hard into the middle notch.

3. Measure from notch to end of carapace.

enla

rgem

ent

5

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019-20

East Coast Stock Rebuilding StrategyThe strategy continues to limit the total commercial and recreational catch of rock lobster in the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone between Eddystone Point and Tasman Head.

The aim is to return rock lobster stocks to above 20% of the unfished biomass by 2023. IMAS report on the stock status each year then management adjustments are considered to keep the rebuilding on track.

Recreational fishers are already experiencing better catch rates. If the stock rebuilding remains on track this should lead to a more resilient fishery in the future.

Do your part by sticking to catch limits and valuing your East Coast catch. Consider voluntarily limiting your total season catch in the ECSRZ to fewer than 10 lobsters.

Long Spined Sea Urchin Threat77% of respondents to the recent rock lobster and abalone survey indicated they were aware of the long spined sea urchin threat to important East Coast rocky reef systems.

Strategies to tackle the threat of the urchins include:

• Biological: rebuilding and translocating rock lobster stocks;

• Market-based: subsidising new commercial markets for the urchin;

• Physical: eradication by culling and liming, commercial processing of urchin waste.

2018-19 Season SnapshotsRock lobster

More than 18,000 people held the following rock lobster licences in 2018-19:

• 15,200 pot

• 8,600 dive; and

• 4,400 ring.

The annual IMAS survey of rock lobster licensees for the period 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019 reported:

• An estimated total catch of 70,100 rock lobster equating to 75 tonnes.

• 62% of the total catch was taken by potting, 37% by diving and 1% by rings.

• The average catch rate was 0.96 lobsters per day with daily harvest rates for diving (1.67 lobster) more than double that for pots (0.74 lobster).

• 72% of the catch (by weight) was taken from the East Coast, 18% North Coast and 10% from the West Coast.

The catch in the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone was estimated at 49 tonnes, 20% over the notional amount for the recreational fishery in this area.

Abalone

There were 11,000 recreational abalone licence holders. The survey reported 45,000 abalone (21 tonnes) were taken between 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019. 62% of the catch (13 tonnes) was taken between Eddystone Point and Southport. The average catch rate was 4.5 per day.

Read the IMAS survey report at: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fisheries-research

Recreational Sea Fishing Guide

6

FISHERY NEWS AND RESEARCH

Recreational Fishing Survey The survey provides an overview of recreational fishing in Tasmania during 2017-18 including catch and participation.

It also delivers social and economic information about attitudes to managing our fisheries, the quality of fishing and how much fishers spend.

The survey is conducted by IMAS using funding from Fishwise (sea fishing licence fees) and the Inland Fisheries Service.

The latest recreational fishing survey found that in 2017-18:

• almost one in four Tasmanians (around 106,000 people) went fishing at least once.

• Participation in fishing increased in all regions of the state.

• Highest numbers of fishers are in 45-59 age group.

• Over half the state’s fishing (53%) was off the east and south east coasts.

• Twice as many males as females went fishing.

• $19 M was spent on fishing and diving gear, tackle, ice and bait.

What’s being caught?Catches of key recreational scalefish for 2017-18:

Species Caught Released

Flathead 1.7 million 56%

Australian salmon

130,000 38%

Bream 27,100 66%

Garfish 4,000 31%

Bastard trumpeter

7,000 52%

Striped trumpeter

7,000 6%

Flathead• Flathead

remains the most popular fish with 735,000 kept.

• 67% of all recreationally caught scalefish are flathead.

• 56% of all flathead are released.

Calamari• 40,000 calamari

are caught by recreational fishers.

• 9% of calamari are released.

How is survey information used?Catch estimates are used in stock assessments together with commercial catch data to sustainably manage Tasmania’s fisheries.

Catch trends, the size of the recreational catch relative to the commercial sector and issues important to recreational fishers are considered when sustainability concerns are raised.

Scalefish Stock Status ReportOf the 20 species assessed in the 2017/18 Scalefish Fishery Assessment, sustainability concerns were indicated for the following species:

• Sand flathead• Southern calamari• Blue warehou• Southern garfish• Southern bluefin tuna• Bastard trumpeter• Striped trumpeter

Fishers will be kept informed about future research and management responses for these species.

1 November 2019 - 31 October 2020

7

FISHERY NEWS