MSF management arrangements

The State Government has finalised management arrangements for the reformed Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF), with new and amended regulations under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 effective 1 July 2021.

See the Marine Scalefish Fishery reform – Stage 3 information package (PDF 433.6 KB).

Key reform changes

  • Establishment of four fishing zones – West Coast, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island, and South East. See the map of MSF management zones (PDF 640.5 KB).
  • Establishment of individual transferable quota (ITQ) management systems for King George Whiting, Snapper, Southern Garfish and Southern Calamari for the Marine Scalefish Fishery and the Rock Lobster Fisheries, managed by a total allowable commercial catch.
  • Separation of the commercial taking of Vongole and Sardine from the Marine Scalefish Fishery and the creation of the new fisheries under their own regulations.

Priority elements of the red tape reduction recommendations have been adopted and others continue to be progressed.

Changes to regulations and determinations

Effective 1 July 2021, a number of amendments to regulations under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 were made as part of the fishery reform. These changes were necessary to operationalise key elements of the reform. These include:

  • Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fishery) Regulations 2017
  • Fisheries Management (Sardine Fishery) Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Vongole Fishery) Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Rock Lobster Fisheries) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Demerit Points) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Blue Crab Fishery) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Fish Processors) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (General) (Miscellaneous) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Lakes and Coorong Fishery) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Miscellaneous Developmental Fishery) (Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform) Variation Regulations 2021
  • Fisheries Management (Vessel Monitoring Scheme) (Sardine Fishery) Variation Regulations 2021.

See all variation regulations:

These regulatory changes required existing Ministerial determinations to be revoked or varied, and new determinations made.

See the full list of Marine Scalefish Fishery determinations.

See the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 123.1 KB) relating to new rules in the fishery (eg. quota):

  • CDR’s
  • sale of fish
  • reporting
  • zones.

Transferring quota for primary species

The implementation of a quota system for four important fish species in the Marine Scalefish Fishery enables quota to be transferred.

The Marine Scalefish Quota Trading system is now available through the myPIRSA portal. The system enables licence holders to advertise, buy and sell quota for permanent transfers and will be available until 30 June 2022.

See the options for transferring quota.

Reporting requirements

Reporting requirements about the take of quota managed species include:

  • Prior to fishing report – required at least 30 minutes before fishing for quota managed species. If the report has not been made, quota managed species cannot be landed.
  • Prior to landing report – required at least 30 minutes before departing the point of landing to report catch of quota managed species, by reporting the tag numbers used or weight of quota managed species.
  • A Marine Scalefish Fishery Catch and Disposal Record (CDR) must also be completed.

Prior reports can be made via the Commercial Fishing SA app or to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.

Download the Marine Scalefish Fisheries operator user guide: Quota (PDF 963.1 KB).

Page last reviewed: 17 Feb 2023

 


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