MEDIA RELEASE                                                               

Thursday, 22 December 2011

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has introduced a commercial daily trip limit for Snapper as an interim measure to protect local stocks, while a long term review of Snapper fisheries management continues.

The change will come into effect 1 January until 30 June 2012 and will constrain commercial fishers to an 800 kg daily commercial trip limit within the waters of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.

Executive Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Professor Mehdi Doroudi, said the interim measure was necessary to address increasing concerns from all sectors.

“Fishers from both commercial and recreational sectors have raised concerns about the increase in commercial catches and a concentration of targeted fishing activity that is placing growing pressure on Snapper stocks,” Professor Doroudi said. 

“The introduction of a commercial daily trip limit will ensure a reasonable catch for commercial fishers remains, while affording greater protection to larger breeding Snapper in local waters.

“Importantly, the new limit responds to calls to protect the sustainability of Snapper stocks from industry body, the Marine Fishers Association, who have worked closely with us to develop this temporary measure.”

Executive Officer of the Marine Fishers Association, Peter Welch, said the association welcomed the move to restrain commercial catches pending the outcome of the formal review into Snapper management arrangements.

“We fully support the measure and are pleased that PIRSA has listened to the concerns raised by a large number of our members, and have taken the major step of implementing an interim solution while a longer term review is underway,” Mr Welch said.

“The introduction of an interim daily commercial trip limit is a reasonable and appropriate solution that maintains the sustainability of the fishery without having a significant commercial impact.”

In addition to the daily trip limit, commercial fishers targeting Snapper outside of the Gulfs will also be required to prior report their activities at least one hour before leaving port. Commercial fishers affected by the changes will be notified in writing this week.

The draft Management Options for Snapper in South Australia was released in November and sets out options for the future management of the Snapper fishery.

Currently open for public consultation, the end result of the review will see the introduction of new management arrangements that effectively control the impact of commercial fishing activities on Snapper stocks, optimise Snapper spawning and recruitment and ultimately support a sustainable Snapper fishery.

The Options Paper and a related Background Paper are available online at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing The public consultation period closes 31 January 2012.