Fish bites: Flatty slot limits proposed for NSW

Under the proposed changes from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries department, recreational fishers will only be able to take duskies measuring more than 36cm and less than 70cm.

The current rules allow fishers to take fish over 36cm, with at least one measuring more than 70cm.

As well, the proposed changes will reduce the dusky flathead daily catch limit from 10 to just five.

The department said the proposed changes were in response to community calls for the introduction of a slot limit and a reduction of the daily bag limit – many larger fish are returned to the water to be recaught and become trophy fish for anglers.

“These changes to recreational fishing rules for dusky flathead have been proposed to help boost the stock of bigger fish and ultimately provide better fishing opportunities for recreational fishers for this highly popular species in the future,” it said.

Also up for change is the daily bag limit for rock lobster, which if approved will jump from two to three.

The increase reflects a bump in the total allowable commercial rock lobster take to 180 tonnes based on a threefold increase in stocks following years of careful management of the species. The annual recreational catch of lobster in the state is currently estimated to be around 18 tonnes.

NSW recreational fishers can read a consultation paper and then have their say on the proposed changes. Submissions close on November 26.

Victoria throws off a significant number of its COVID-19 shackles today, meaning the state’s entire waterways are now open to anglers.

From 6pm today – and once a severe low pressure system sweeping the southern part of the state has passed out of range anglers can travel freely throughout Victoria with no boundary between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Victorians will also be able to engage in outdoor recreational activities such as boating or fishing off a pier in groups of up to 30 people including dependants.

Masks will no longer be required outdoors, however, it’s recommended to use them where you may not be able to keep a safe distance from others, which may include jetties and boat ramps.

South Australian recreational anglers are claiming victory after complaining that they were being locked out of south-eastern snapper fisheries to the benefit of commercial fishers.

RecFish SA yesterday welcomed a decision by SA Premier and Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister David Basham to open up recreational fishing in line with commercial fishing, allowing recreational fishers to catch snapper over the Christmas holiday period.

“Providing equitable access to snapper is the right decision,” RecFish SA said. “It’s great that recreational fishers will again be able to put a snapper on the table at Christmas time; it’s a South Australian tradition.

“There’s a lot we don’t know about this stock and more research is needed.”

The first of the second-generation Arvor 625 Sportsfish has arrived in Australia.

The new model features an uncluttered cockpit that allows its owners to get on with the job of fishing, without any trip hazards or snags.

The 5.9-metre enclosed wheelhouse model features toe rails, a high freeboard, and a starboard walkway to the bow.

The boat is available with a Simrad GPS NSS evo3 fishfinder in the wheelhouse, with another unit mounted at the deck helm.

The boat comes with two large fish lockers and an optional fish pack that includes an integrated bait well and raw-water washdown.

Twin berths below decks allow the Arvor 625 Sportsfish to overnight so the day’s fishing can extend when conditions suit.