FishFacts Issue 5, October 2006


Issue 5, October 2006
PIRSA logo. (Links to PIRSA website)

www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing


Overhaul for State’s Fisheries Management
A new management structure and tougher penalties for fishing offences are key aspects of a new bill introduced into state parliament recently.

The Fisheries Management Bill 2006 will adopt contemporary management practices and promote ecologically sustainable development within the state’s recreational and commercial fisheries. The legislation makes it clear that marine resources are owned by the state and managed on behalf of the community as a common property resource.

Key aspects of the new legislation include:

  • Establishing a new Fisheries Council as the peak management advisory committee reporting to the state government.
  • Offences and penalties have been increased to reflect the increasing value of our fish resources and to assist in tackling organised crime with maximum penalties increased from $60,000 to $120,000, and up to four years imprisonment.
  • New powers for Fisheries Officers to search a person suspected of hiding important evidence if they’re suspected of committing an offence
  • A new system of demerit points for anyone found guilty of consistent offences under the legislation and
  • Strict new possession limits for recreational anglers to be prescribed by regulation following further public consultation. This is aimed at reducing the level of illegal fishing and fish sales, as well as allowing our fish resources to be more evenly shared within the recreational sector.

Snapper closure
A reminder to all fishers that the month long snapper closure commences at 12 midday Wednesday 1 November and continues through until 12 midday Thursday 30 November.

During that time it will be unlawful to take snapper from any waters of the State. Any snapper accidentally caught during the closure must be returned immediately to the water.

Fisheries Officers will step up patrols during the closure to ensure all fishers abide by the ban.

Fishing tips – squid
If the squid are proving to be fiddly and won’t take a jig, try rubbing the jig with the juice of a pilchard. This will make the jig more appealing and improve your chances of a catch.

Abalone warning
PIRSA Fisheries has asked fishers in the south-east to refrain from using abalone as bait following fears that a virus that has affected wild abalone in Victoria may spread to the multi–million dollar industry in South Australia.

The ganglioneuritis virus, which has damaged both wildstock and farmed abalone, has spread west and east from its Port Fairy, Victoria quarantine zone.

PIRSA Fisheries in South Australia is working closely with their Victorian counterparts to ensure early detection and control.

Compliance round-up
  • A common practice amongst some blue swimmer crab rakers is to keep all crabs caught and only measure them when they return to shore.

    Fishers are reminded that this practice is illegal and they are required to measure their catch immediately and return any undersize crabs to the water.

    Fisheries Officers will continue to target the crabbing beaches checking for any fishers with undersize or over the bag limit of crabs. For more information go to the catch limit page on the PIRSA web site.

  • Two men have pleaded guilty to a number of abalone related fisheries offences in the Ceduna Magistrates Court recently.

    A 19 year old from Croydon pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of abalone taken for the purposes of sale. He was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond and required to pay prosecution costs of $2,000. No conviction was recorded.

    The second man, a 56 year old from Coorabie, west of Ceduna, also pleaded guilty to a number of charges including possessing a commercial quantity of abalone and taking abalone for the purposes of sale whilst not the holder of a licence in respect of that fishery. He will be sentenced at a later date.

    The trial in relation to a third person continues.
Daily bag and boat limits
Fishers are reminded that bag and boat limits that apply to recreational fishing in South Australia are daily limits. A day is considered to be the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight.

This means that once you have caught your daily bag limit of a regulated species, you must wait until after midnight before you can catch more of the same species.

You are able to continue fishing for other species.

Fishing tips – garfish
Berlying is an important part of fishing for garfish. Once you have attracted garfish to the berly stream, reduce the stream to a slow trickle. That way the garfish will move closer to the boat and not become overfed and ignore your baited hook.

Shark patrols
The State Government has announced that aerial shark patrols along Adelaide beaches will operate between North Haven and Normanville, from 11am to 7.45pm seven days a week. Patrols will commence on 1 December 2006 until March 30 2007.

All water users are reminded to report any shark sightings, where the sharks pose an immediate threat to humans, immediately to SA Police on 000. Any other positive sightings of large sharks should be reported to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522 or SA Police on 131 444. For more information go to the PIRSA shark sighting web page.


PIRSA Fisheries produces Fishfacts as an information service to commercial and recreational fishers. Information about regulations and other laws is provided as a summary only and does not replace the legislation. It is the responsibility of fishers to ensure that they are aware of the law and comply with it.
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