Managing Recreational Fishing

To ensure the long-term health of our fish stocks, it is critical that enough fish of each species remain in the water to reproduce and replace the numbers removed each year by fishing.

To achieve this rules and regulations are applied to control the numbers of fish taken, by both commercial fishers and by recreational fishers. The laws controlling fishing activities (Legislation) are contained in the Fisheries Management Act 2007 (external site) and Regulations made under the Act.  This Act replaces the Fisheries Act 1982 (external site).

The rules and regulations are based on ecological and biological knowledge of fish stocks and the environment. They provide for:
  • restrictions on the number and type of gear that can be used when fishing for particular species
  • the need for permits or exemptions to be able to undertake some activities, for example harvesting sea-grass and marine algae and collecting fish for broodstock or research.

If you are not sure about the rules that apply to recreational fishing in South Australia, contact any of the following:
  • PIRSA Fisheries Licensing on 08 8347 6107 (during office hours)
  • FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522 (freecall, 24 hour)
  • your local Fisheries Office.


You can read more about the strategic goals that underpin the regulation of recreational fishing in South Australia in fishing in Review of Recreational Fishing in South Australia: A management strategy for the sustainable development of recreational fishing in South Australia.


You can read more about fishing activities in South Australia (for example catch and effort data, participation rates and attitudes and awareness in recreational fishing activities) in 2000-01 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (published July 2005) or phone PIRSA Fisheries on 08 8347 6100 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.


SA Fisheries Resources - Current Status and Recent Trends 2006

This report is a reference for the community on the status of South Australia's major fish stocks and the current management measures in place to ensure their long-term sustainability.


Public Register


Under section 116 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 a Public Register of all holders of fishery licences, registrations (commercial and recreational) and permits must be kept and made available for public inspection.

The information to be contained on the Register is outlined in the Policy directive no. 2 of 2004. You can download a copy of the Request for Information form or phone PIRSA Fisheries Licensing on 08 8347 6107 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Fisheries Council


The Fisheries Management Act 2007 provides for the establishment of a Fisheries Council.  More information about the Council is available.
Under section 65 of