Lake Eyre Basin Fisheries Management Plan
Feedback is being sought on the draft Lake Eyre Basin Fisheries Management Plan, which has been released for public consultation until 17 August 2012. Find out more and download copy of management plan, summary report and feedback form.

Cuttlefish closure extended
The closure area banning fishing for cephalopods in waters near Whyalla has been temporarily extended. Find out more, view frequently asked questions  and map of closure area.

Marine Park Sanctuary Zone Locations
Your first look. Join the discussion.

Goolwa Beach closed to Pipi fishing
Goolwa Beach will remain partially closed to recreational Pipi fishing, due to unsafe E.coli levels. The temporary closure will be in place from 1 May until 31 May 2012 and applies from 5 km south of Beach Road, Goolwa Beach to Middleton Point (near Mill Terrace at Middleton). Find out more, view frequently asked questions and view map of closure area.

Abalone Management Plan
Feedback is being sought on the draft Abalone Management Plan, which has been released for public consultation until 25 April 2012. Download a copy of the draft plan or a feedback form.

Recreational shark fishing restrictions
New restrictions have been introduced on targeted recreational shark fishing in metropolitan waters. Find out more, view frequently asked questions and download map of the area the restrictions apply to.

Snapper Options Paper
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has released the Options Paper - Management Options for Snapper in South Australia for public consultation, as well as the Background Paper for Management Options for Snapper in South Australia. The deadline for submissions is 5pm, Tuesday 31 January 2012.  A Community Feedback form is available here.

Australian Fisheries National Compliance Strategy 2010-2015
This newly-released document outlines the strategic objectives that Australian fisheries agencies will pursue to promote voluntary compliance and create effective deterrents to illegal fishing activity.  It outlines the principles that agencies under the umbrella of National Fisheries Compliance Committee (NFCC) will use when planning the delivery of cost-effective and efficient fisheries compliance programs. Click here to access the full document (.pdf).

European Union Catch Certificate
The European Commission requires that fish and fishery products caught from 1 January 2010 can only be imported into a member country of the European Union when accompanied by an appropriate catch certificate. Application form available Appendix 2 (PDF) or Appendix 3 (PDF).

GPS & Google Earth downloads
Fishers can now download coordinates for the State’s aquatic reserves direct to their GPS or marine plotter. More information...

Free! FishFacts E-Newsletter

For the latest in fishing news from around South Australia subscribe to PIRSA Fisheries free FishFacts e-newsletter.

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Recreational fishing is now the nation’s biggest participation sport. In South Australia alone about one quarter or an estimated 236 000 South Australian’s enjoy fishing each year. Apart from the enjoyment, recreational fishing injects millions of dollars into the economy in the purchase and maintenance of boats, marine engines, tackle and equipment.

South Australia also has a strong, viable commercial fishing industry. In 2007–08 the State’s commercial wild fisheries were worth A$207.5 million. The industry is an important source of employment, both directly and via support industries, and as an earner of valuable export dollars.

Both the commercial and the recreational fishing industry rely on a healthy, well-managed fisheries resource. PIRSA Fisheries Division acts as the caretaker of the fishing resource in South Australia. The role of the division is to ensure:

  • maximum economic gain from the resource
  • that the resource is shared equitably amongst all user groups (including recreational and commercial fishers)
  • the long-term sustainability of the commercial and recreational fishing industries whilst protecting biological diversity and maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.

PIRSA Fisheries Division is responsible for:

  • fisheries management and planning
  • licensing and permits
  • services to ensure compliance with legislation for recreational fishers and the commercial fishing industry
  • providing information and advice for anyone with an interest in fishing and our fisheries resource.

Fish stocks are a finite resource. It is only through careful management, based on sound research, that we can ensure the health of our fish stocks for today and into the future.  Fisheries management policies are informed by research and development undertaken by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) (external site).

No matter what your involvement with fishing in South Australia, with more and more pressure being exerted on our fish stocks, it is important that we all:

  • take responsibility for the care of our fisheries
  • play our part in preserving our fish stocks for the future.