Who’s fishing these days in South Australia? Where are they fishing? What, and how many, are they catching and how are they catching it?

Answers to these questions, and more, are outlined in the results of SA’s most comprehensive Recreational Fishing Survey, which has been released last week by Fisheries Minister Paul Caica.

More than 10,000 recreational fishers took part in the survey in the 12 months to November 2008 and Mr Caica says it provides detailed statistics on state wide recreational fishing activities and boosts our knowledge of local fish populations.

“The State Government is committed to supporting our recreational fishing sector,” he said. 

“Getting a good handle on their fishing effort will enable us to include recreational fishing in the State’s regional planning and help us to ensure SA continues to have well-managed and sustainable fisheries.

Mr Caica says the survey shows the State’s recreational fishers are releasing more fish back into our waterways including Blue Swimmer Crab, Southern Rocklobster and Murray Cod.

“This is very heartening as it shows the sustainable fishing message is hitting the mark, with growing numbers of recreational fishers returning undersize fish and berried (pregnant) females to the water.”

Other results show:

• 16.2% of South Australians take part in recreational fishing, representing 236,463 people;
• Eyre Peninsula has the most recreational fishers as a proportion of its population, followed by the Yorke Peninsula/Mid North region.
• While most recreational fishers live in metropolitan Adelaide, our capital city has the lowest proportion of its population engaged in recreational fishing compared with other regions around the State;
• There is equal participation in boat-based and shore-based fishing;
• The most popular region for recreational fishing (in terms of days spent fishing) is the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island region, followed by the Spencer Gulf;
• The most important species for the recreational sector (in terms of estimated tonnage harvested) is King George Whiting, Blue Swimmer Crabs, Southern Calamari and Snapper.

The survey includes:

• What species recreational anglers are taking in the state’s coastal waters and the River Murray;
• Information on fishing activities and catch rates for popular fish species caught throughout metro and regional areas using various types of gear from lines to diving, pots and nets;
• Data on more than 100 species of finfish, shellfish and crustaceans, including the 12 key species - King George Whiting, Snapper, Southern Garfish, Southern Calamari, Mulloway, Blue Swimmer Crabs, Southern Rock lobster, Greenlip Abalone, Blacklip Abalone, Pipi, Golden Perch and Murray Cod.

“Understanding the people who engage in recreational fishing in SA and their impact on our fisheries resources is vital to ensure that management arrangements are sustainable, and that there are equitable opportunities for people to catch fish,” Mr Caica said.

“It also ensures that recreational fishers are informed about and engaged in making those management decisions.

An interactive Recreational Fishing Atlas has also been developed using the survey data.

The online tool provides anglers, students and other members of the public with easy to search information relevant to their own individual fishing habits.

A copy of the full survey report and access to the Recreational Fishing Atlas is available on the PIRSA Fisheries website

In an effort to protect the long-term future of South Australia’s Murray Cod population, PIRSA Fisheries announced in early December that the fishery will remain closed during 2010.

This latest closure comes into effect from New Year’s Day and will run through until 31 December 2010

Executive Director PIRSA Fisheries, Martin Smallridge said that with drought conditions continuing right across the Murray-Darling Basin, the State Government has had to make the tough decision to close the fishery for a further 12 months.

“The information we have available indicates that Murray Cod are dependent on environmental flows for successful recruitment and current conditions in the River Murray do not support this,” he said.

“Rather than sit back and wait for flows to improve, the Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) will investigate different management options in a bid to protect the existing Murray Cod stock.

“This will include an investigation into the feasibility of a stock enhancement program for Murray Cod in South Australian areas of the River Murray.
 
“PIRSA historically hasn’t supported fish stocking, however given the bleak outlook for the species at this time the Department will objectively weigh up the risks and benefits of a restocking program in South Australia.

To coincide with the closure, PIRSA Fisheries have also released for public comment a discussion paper outlining possible options for the future management of Murray Cod in South Australia.

The paper, titled ‘Management Options for Murray Cod in South Australia’ outlines a number of possible options for the future sustainable management of the iconic freshwater fish.

“We understand how important Murray Cod is to the community, but we need their input as to what they view as the best management options going forward,” Mr Smallridge said.

“A series of public meetings will also be held early in the new year to give the community an opportunity to express their views in a public forum.”

The options paper and information on how to submit comments can be found on the PIRSA Fisheries website. A feedback form is included with the paper.  Submissions close at 5:00pm on 31 March 2010.

A 12 month investigation by PIRSA Fisheries has resulted in two men being arrested for allegedly killing Great White Sharks and allegedly selling their teeth and jaws for profit.

A charter fisherman from Whyalla and another male from Whyalla were arrested by Fisheries Officers and Whyalla police for alleged offences under the Fisheries Management Act, 2007.  A third man, has also been reported for similar offences.

It will be alleged that the three men were involved in the unlawful killing of a Great White Shark, and the sale of jaws and teeth. The two arrested men have been bailed to appear in the Whyalla Court at a later date and the third is expected to be summonsed to court.

As part of the operation, Fisheries Officers seized a commercial charter fishing vessel, a vehicle and various fishing equipment, all valued in excess of $120,000 as well as Great White Shark jaws and teeth.

Great White Sharks are a protected species in SA and have been so since 1 January, 1998.

PIRSA Fisheries Officers are urging all recreational fishers to stick to the rules while fishing for blue swimmer crabs following a patrol of popular crabbing beaches during the last weekend of September.

Fisheries Officers checked more than 250 fishers and as a result, over 30 expiation notices were issued. In excess of 1500 blue swimmer crabs were seized and returned to the water from fishers who had either taken crabs under the legal size or exceeded the bag limit.

The recent operation covered all beaches from St Kilda in metropolitan Adelaide, around the top of Gulf St Vincent to Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula. 

PIRSA Fisheries Regional Manager, Paul Faithow said while the majority of recreational fishers were found to be doing the right thing, it was disappointing to see some weren’t abiding by the rules.

“People who think that it is acceptable to take undersize crabs and exceed the bag limit are damaging the fishery for everyone,” he said.

With Christmas just days away, PIRSA Fisheries is reminding local families and businesses to ensure that any seafood purchased comes from a legitimate source.

Christmas is traditionally a busy time of the year for the seafood industry with families stocking their fridges and freezers with marine species such as rock lobster and abalone.

Regional Manager Limestone Coast, Mel Snart, said it was vital that the public ensure any local seafood they purchase comes from a licensed or legitimate operator.

“It is an offence to buy fish that has been obtained illegally, or to sell fish without the necessary license,” she said.

“By ensuring that any fish purchased comes from a legitimate source, we can eliminate those members of the public unlawfully profiting from the sale of fresh seafood. “

“It’s important that recreational fishers therefore understand that it is illegal for them to buy, sell or trade any of their catch.”

PIRSA Fisheries would like to wish all our regular FishFacts readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

If you’re planning on fishing over the holidays be sure to arm yourself with an up-to-date copy of the SA Recreational Fishing Guide, available at most tackle shops or on the PIRSA website.

If you haven’t already done so, remember to put the SMSFish number 0427 767 995 into your mobile. SMSFish allows anglers to simply text the name of a particular fish species and receive an immediate response detailing the size, bag and boat limit that applies to that particular fish as well as any closed season information.