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Fishers urged keep up the good work during snapper closure

Thursday 26 November, 2009

PIRSA Fisheries has commended both commercial and recreational fishers for their vigilance during the annual snapper closure, which comes to end at midday on Monday 30 November.

PIRSA Fisheries Officers regularly patrolled known snapper fishing locations during the closure.

PIRSA Fisheries Manager Regional Operations, Peter Dietman, said that it was great to see both recreational and commercial fishers embracing the snapper closure.

“The month-long closure has been put in place to firstly reduce fishing effort on snapper which inturn reduces the overall catches and allows a proportion of larger, mature snapper to remain in the fishery longer,” Mr Dietman said.

“It’s pleasing from not just a compliance standpoint but also in terms of sustainability, to see that South Australian fishers are doing the right thing.

“It’s important however to remind fishers that the closure ends at midday on Monday 30 November, and therefore anyone caught taking snapper on the morning of 30 November will face the risk of being fined.

“Our officers will continue to be on the lookout and it would be most disappointing to have to issue fines and expiations to fishers who jump the gun and start targeting snapper before the midday opening.”

If fishers are unsure of the regulations that apply to Snapper they can send a free text message with the name of the fish to the SMSFish number 0427 767 995 and receive an immediate response listing the official size, bag and boat limit that applies to that particular species.

Anyone can report illegal fishing activity through the 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 065 522.  Callers can choose to remain anonymous.