Protected Species

Some fish species are protected and must not be taken:

  • at all times
  • during certain stages of their life cycle, for example during their reproductive period
  • during certain times of the year
  • from particular closed areas or reserves. 

If protected species are caught they must be returned to the water immediately. Make sure your know how to handle your catch and safely release fish back into the water so they have the best chance of survival. Any person who takes or causes harm to a protected species can face a heavy fine.

Freshwater species 

Ambassis, Mogurnda, Nannoperca genus

(including spotted gudgeon, chanda perch and pygmy perch)

 Protected at all times
  A Agassiz' Chanda Perch
A Southern Gudgeon  A Ewen Pygmy Perch  A Southern Pygmy Perch
Blackfish, River Murray
 Protected at all times
  A River Blackfish
Catfish, River Murray
 Protected at all times
  A River Murray Catfish
Crayfish, River Murray Freshwater
 Protected at all times
  cray_fw
Murray Cod
 Closed season from 1 August to 31 December inclusive
  A Murray Cod
Silver Perch
 Protected at all times
  A Silver Perch
Trout Cod
 Protected at all times
  A Trout Cod
Yabbies
 Protected when eggs attached (it is an offence to physically remove eggs)
  yabbie
  

Marine species

 
Abalone

Protected at all times in:

  • the waters of Waterloo Bay
  • intertidal reefs
  • all aquatic reserves.
 abalone1
Blue groper Protected at all times in Gulf St Vincent, Spencer Gulf, Investigator Strait, Backstairs Passage. This area includes all the waters north of a line from Newland Head (southern Fleurieu Peninsula) to Cape Willoughby (eastern end of Kangaroo Island) and north of a line from West Bay (western end of Kangaroo Island) to Cape Carnot on southern Eyre Peninsula. groper
Bream (all species) Closed season 1 September to 30 November inclusive in the Onkaparinga River upstream of the Main South Road Bridge, Noarlunga bream
Crab, blue swimmer Protected when carrying external eggs Blue Crab
Crab, giant Protected when carrying external eggs crab_giant
Crab, sand Protected when carrying external eggs crab_sand
Cuttlefish Protected in the waters of False Bay, Whyalla A Cuttlefish

Great white sharks

 Protected at all times

Rock lobster

Protected at all times in all aquatic reserves, and in:

  • Cape Jaffa
  • Margaret Brock Reef (within 0.55 nautical miles of the light)
  • Rivoli Bay, including Penguin Island (from Glen Point to Cape Martin)
  • Gleeson landing

 Northern zone
(west from longitude 139o0’4.80” including Kangaroo Island to the Western Australia border)

Closed season from 6.00 pm 31 May to 12 noon 1 November

Southern zone
(east from longitude 139o0’4.80” to the Victorian border)

Closed season from 6.00 pm 30 April to 6.00 am 1 October

 A Southern Rock Lobster
Snapper Closed season from 12 noon 1 November to 12 noon 30 November Some Snapper
Squid Protected in the waters of False Bay, Whyalla A Squid

Syngnathids family (all seadragons, seahorses, pipefish, pipehorses)

 Protected at all times (a penalty of up to $4000 applies to anyone taking these fish) A Seahorse the Leafy Seadragon
 

Location coordinates
All coordinates given for locations are based on the Australian Geocentric Datum GDA94, which coincides almost exactly with WGS84. Some adjustments might be needed depending on the GPS navigational system used.

Marine mammals

All marine mammals including whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins are protected at all times in South Australian waters.

Any person causing harm to a marine mammal is liable to a heavy fine.

For more information or to report an offence phone FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522 (24 hours).