Information Sheet on Pipi Fishing in South Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

Q. Is there a minimum legal size for pipi?

Yes. The minimum legal length for every pipi taken is 3.5 centimetres, measured across the widest part of the shell. The size limit will be reviewed this season, with a view to potential changes next season.

Q. What can I use to collect pipi?

Recreational fishers may use a cockle rake, bait spade, bait fork or collect by hand. Commercial fishers may use a cockle rake endorsed on their fishery licence or collect by hand.

Q. Why have the recent changes for the pipi fishery been introduced?

The new restrictions have been introduced to equitably reduce the impacts of both commercial and recreational fishing on the pipi resource due to possible overfishing and poor environmental conditions in the lower Murray region.

RECREATIONAL FISHING

Q. When can I take pipi?

For recreational fishers, Pipi may be taken from 1 November until 30 May each year. The taking of pipi is prohibited during the seasonal closure, which extends from 1 June to 31 October (inclusive) every year.

Q. Can I take pipi from the Coorong beach?

Recreational fishers are permitted to take Pipi from a small section of the Coorong Beach, between 28 Mile Crossing and the Kingston SE jetty. The taking of pipi by recreational fishers is still prohibited along the Younghusband Peninsula (Coorong Beach) from the River Murray mouth to 28 Mile Crossing.

Q. Can I take pipi from Goolwa beach?

Yes. Recreational fishers may take pipi along the Sir Richard Peninsula (Goolwa Beach).
Commercial pipi fishing between the River Murray mouth and Port Elliot is prohibited.

Q. How many pipi can I take?

The daily recreational bag limit east of the line of longitude 136°E (Cape Catastrophe) is a maximum of 300 pipi per person per day. As of 1 November 2011 a reduced daily recreational bag limit applies west of the line of longitude 136°E of a maximum 100 Pipi per person per day.

Q. Can I sell or trade pipi?

No. Recreational fishers are not permitted to sell or trade their catch. The Fisheries Management Act 2007 specifies penalties for illegal fishing activities and the illegal sale of fish. These offences may attract heavy fines, as well as seizure and forfeiture for equipment, including boats and vehicles.

COMMERCIAL FISHING

Q. What are the management arrangements for pipi this season?

The Total Allowable Commercial Catch for 2011/12 Pipi season has been set at 400 tonnes. All licence holders will be sent updated fishery licences endorsed with quota entitlements and invoices for licence fees shortly.

Q. When can I take pipi?

The start of the 2011/12 commercial fishing season will commence 1 November 2011. The taking of pipi is prohibited during the seasonal closure, which extends from 1 June to 31 October (inclusive) every year.

Q. Who can take pipi?

Pipi may only be taken for the purpose of sale if a fishery licence is endorsed with a pipi quota entitlement according to the Fisheries Management (Lakes and Coorong Fishery) Regulations 2009 and Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fisheries) Regulations 2006. The unit entitlement and maximum number of kilograms of quota that may be taken are listed on extract from the Registrations and Entitlements Register for each licence.

Q. I do not have quota. Can I take any pipi?

You may only take pipi for use as bait for fishing activities under your own fishery licence. You may take a maximum of 10 kilograms per day. You are not permitted to sell or trade pipi.

Q. I have caught all my pipi quota but I want to take pipi for bait. Can I do this?

No. If a licence holder has held a quota entitlement during the fishing season they cannot take pipi for personal bait using the 10 kg maximum daily limit.

Q. Can I transfer any of my pipi quota entitlement?

Yes. Pipi quota entitlements are transferable on a temporary and permanent basis.

Q. Can I take pipi from the Coorong beach?

Yes. Commercial fishers may take pipi along the Younghusband Peninsula (Coorong beach) from the River Murray mouth to Kingston SE. Recreational pipi fishers can access the beach from 28 Mile Crossing to Kingston SE jetty.

Q. Can I take pipi from Goolwa beach?

No. Commercial pipi fishing is prohibited on Sir Richard Peninsula (Goolwa beach) between the River Murray mouth and Port Elliot.

Q. How many agents can assist me when taking pipi?

The ability to use up to four agents has been reintroduced under fisheries legislation to allow for licence holders to employ two agents as rakers in addition to a grader and a buckety.

Q. I have pipi a quota entitlement. What do I have to do when taking pipi?

All licence holders who have a pipi quota entitlement have been provided with information
explaining the requirements for quota monitoring, which are implemented through the new regulations. These requirements include prior reporting, completing and lodging catch disposal records (CDRs) and the use of approved bags and tags.

Q. I do not understand the conditions about quota monitoring. Who should I contact to find out more?

PIRSA Fisheries Compliance should be contacted about quota monitoring arrangements. Please call Randel Donovan, Regional Manager Central South on 0408 845 733 or David Grant, Senior Fisheries Officer on 0408 859 481.

Q. What appeal rights do I have if I don’t agree with the new conditions on my licence?

All licence holders have rights of appeal against the imposition of licence conditions. These rights are set out in sections 111 and 112 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007. You should seek your own legal advice in relation to appeal rights.

 

This information sheet is intended as a guide only and does not replace the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Any views expressed about the meaning of particular provision of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 or regulations made under that Act are those of PIRSA Fisheries alone and are relied upon by the reader at his or her own risk. When in doubt about the meaning of legislation, readers are advised to seek their own legal advice.