The Coorong

Permitted devices
Marking of devices
Device specifications
Netting closures


Permitted Devices

Each person can use:
  • up to two rods; or
  • two handlines; or
  • one of each.


Each line can have:

  • up to three hooks attached; or
  • up to five hooks joined eye to shank or threaded together (this will be considered as one hook).


In addition to a rod and handline, a person can only use at any one time no more than:

  • 1 mesh net (registered in your name); or
  • 1 hand net; or
  • 10 hoop nets; or
  • 3 hoop nets and 1 mesh net; or
  • 3 hoop nets and 1 hand net.


Recreational fishers are not permitted to use a hauling net.


Marking devices

All permitted devices (other than those designed to be held in the hand, for example rod and line or handlines) which are left unattended must be marked with a tag and, in some cases, a buoy.

Tags

All registered devices must be marked with a tag showing the registered owner’s name and registration number.

Devices designed to be held in the hand and drop nets set from the shore do not need a tag if the person responsible is in attendance. This means that the person responsible for the device is no more than 50 metres away from any part of it at all times.

If a permitted device is left unattended at any time it must be marked with a tag showing the name and address of the owner of the device.

Tags must:
  • show the name and address of the owner of the device
  • be made of a material that is durable in water
  • be 10 cm x 5 cm in size.


A buoy with a name and address correctly inscribed is considered to be a tag.

Buoys

Many devices must be marked with buoys.
Buoys must:
  • be durable
  • have a volume not less than two litres (15 to 20 cm diameter) if used in the waters of the Lakes and Coorong
  • be of the correct colour for a particular permitted device and particular waters.



Device specifications

Check that any device you already have, or that you intend buying or constructing, conforms to legal specifications. Devices that do not conform might be seized and subsequently forfeited.

 
Hand net
Hoop net
Mesh nets

Hand net

A hand net consists of conical-shaped netting joined to a hoop that is attached to a rigid handle. It can be a dab net, dip net or shrimp net. Only one hand net per person can be used. Hand nets do not need to be registered.

Specifications
Maximum hoop diameter: 100 cm (1 metre)
Maximum depth of net: 100 cm (1 metre)


A Hand Net



Hoop net

This consists of one hoop holding a cone-shaped net bag. Note that hoop nets are not the same as drop nets and regulations vary. Hoop nets do not need to be registered but must be buoyed and tagged correctly.
Link to marking devices page

Specifications
Maximum hoop diameter: 107 cm
Maximum depth of net bag: 92 cm

Maximum number permitted: Up to 10 hoop nets if no other device is being used

Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear
Marking: 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume

1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended
Note: The use of hoop nets is prohibited in the main stream section of commercial fishing reaches of the River Murray.
   

A Hoop Net





Mesh nets


The use of mesh nets is not permitted in marine coastal waters of South Australia.

Mesh nets can be used in some circumstances in the Coorong region, but all recreational mesh nets must be registered. Contact your local Fisheries Office for more information.


Specifications
Maximum length: 75 m
Minimum mesh size: 50 mm
Maximum mesh size: 64 mm
Mesh panel: No more than one metre in depth
Marking: 2 black buoys at one end, one yellow buoy at the other

If the net exceeds 50 metres in length it must be marked with floating red buoys at intervals not exceeding 50 metres
Setting: The net must float when set

The operator must be within at least 50 metres of the net at all times

The net must not be set within 200 metres of any other net

 

Note that the specifications for mesh nets used in the waters of Lake Albert, Lake Alexandrina and in Lake George (when permitted) differ.

 

Netting Closures


There are some restrictions on the use of mesh nets in some areas of the waters of the Coorong, For the purpose of using a mesh net, the waters of the Coorong have been divided into Area 1 and Area 2.

Map of the Coorong

Area 1
Defined as: The waters of the Coorong separated from the Lower Murray and Lake Alexandrina
by the Goolwa, Mundoo, Boundary Creek, Ewe Island and Tauwitchere Barrages and by a straight line drawn westerly from Pelican Point to Gnurlung Point and separated from the ocean by the Murray mouth.
Closure: The use of a mesh net in Coorong Area 1 is prohibited from 1 November to 31 March
Inclusive.


Area 2
Defined as: The waters of the Coorong commencing from a straight line drawn westerly from Pelican Point to Gnurlung Point, then extending south easterly to the most southerly limit of the lagoon proper.
Closure: You can use a registered mesh net in Coorong Area 2 at all times of the year.



Other permanent netting closures
Mesh nets are prohibited:
  • in all coastal marine waters 
  • within a 500 metre radius of the Murray Mouth
  • within 150 metres of all barrages
  • in the Goolwa channel

(a)    from A.G.A. light on Mundoo Island across to Hindmarsh Island then upstream to the south east corner of Allotment 109, section 601 Hundred of Nangkita then across the Murray Mouth to Younghusband Peninsula then back to the A.G.A. light
(b)    between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday in Goolwa channel in the waters between the Goolwa barrage and the area described in (a) above