Updated fishing guide now available
Wednesday 6 February, 2008
An updated version of the State’s most widely read fishing guide is now available free of charge from a number of outlets including fishing tackle shops.
PIRSA Fisheries, Executive Director, Mr Will Zacharin said recreational fishing continues to be one of our most popular pastimes with an estimated 320,000 South Australian recreational fishers.
The 69 page Recreational Fishing Guide provides fishers with an easily understood summary of the State’s fishing rules.
“To support sustainability of our fisheries and sharing of the State’s fish stocks, it is important that all fishers abide by the rules put in place to regulate fishing,” Mr Zacharin said.
“These rules represent an opportunity for the fishing community to play their part in the preservation of fish stocks while ensuring that their fishing experiences are successful and enjoyable.
“PIRSA Fisheries has invested in a range of communication strategies aimed at providing fishers with easy access to information about the rules that apply to fishing in South Australia.
“And top of the list is the very popular Recreational Fishing Guide booklet.”
Some of the changes in the 2008 Recreational Fishing Guide include;
- changes to razorfish bag and boat limits,
- changes to bag and boat limits for Murray cod, minimum size limits and an extension to the annual closed season,
- changes to the rules that apply to berleying including baiting in crab nets and
- changes to the names of some fish species in South Australia.
“The majority of recreational fishers fish responsibly and the Recreational Fishing Guide makes the process for being aware of the many rules and regulations as easy as possible,” Mr Zacharin said.
Changes at a glance
Murray cod
Size limits – min 60cm (was 50cm), max 100cm
Bag limit – 1 (was 3)
Boat limit (where three or more are fishing from the boat) – 3 (was 6)
Closed season – 1 August (was 1 September) to 31 December
Razorfish
Bag limit – 25 (was 50)
Boat limit (where three or more are fishing from the boat) – 75 (was 150)
Berleying regulations
Berleying is a method used to attract fish and is generally an accepted fishing practice. The use of certain berley may attracts sharks and has the potential to endanger the lives of swimmers, divers and other water users in the same area.
For this reason, blood, bone, meat, offal or the skin of an animal, including birds, may not be used as berley when fishing in any marine waters of the State.
Fish and fish based products may be used.
When fishing for crabs, fishers are permitted to use fish or fish based products only. It is illegal to use bone, meat, offal or the skin of an animal including birds as bait in crab nets.
Changes to fish names
The South Australian Government has adopted the Australian Fish Names Standard, which will change the common names of some fish species commonly caught in South Australia.
The standards have been implemented to ensure each fish species is known by one name in Australia and to prevent confusion amongst consumers about their purchases.
Below is a table of the names that will be affected.
| Current common name | Scientific name | New common name |
|---|---|---|
| Callop, Yellow Belly | Macquaria ambigua | Golden Perch |
| Goolwa cockle | Donax deltoides | Pipi |
| Nannygai, Red snapper | Centroberyx gerrardi | Bight Redfish |
| Tommy ruff | Arripis georgianus | Australian Herring |
| Salmon, salmon trout | Arripis truttaceus | Australian Salmon |
PIRSA Fisheries web site
An electronic version of the Recreational Fishing Guide can be viewed at the PIRSA Fisheries web site - www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing.
