SA rec fishing review: Have your say

The SA State Government is looking at a range of measures – including changes to size, bag and boat limits – in order to manage recreational fishing.

Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said three papers which outlined the proposals would be released for community consultation. They are:

>> Draft management plan for recreational fishing in South Australia;
>> Review of size, bag and boat limits in South Australia’s recreational fishing sector, marine and freshwater; and
>> Management options for King George Whiting in South Australia (commercial and recreational)

"Each year more than 277,000 men, women and children take part in recreational fishing in South Australia and catch more than 12 million fish, crustaceans and molluscs," he said.

"We want to ensure there is enough fish for future generations and to do this we need to undertake regular assessments of our fish stocks and review management arrangements.

"Fishing is an important part of the South Australian way of life and recreational fishing is also a strong economic driver, with more than one in six South Australians and interstate and international visitors enjoying recreational fishing on our seas, rivers and estuaries each year.

"Fish stocks are constantly changing and require continual monitoring and we want the community to read through the documents and have their say on the future management of our recreational fishing sector."

RecFish SA Executive Director David Ciaravolo said it was important for fishers to engage with issues and the proposals put forward.

"We encourage all interested fishers to have their say and to send in their feedback during the consultation period."

"RecFish SA will also be consulting widely with the recreational fishing community over the next three months, in order to inform our official positions on the proposals presented," he said.

The Draft management plan for recreational fishing in South Australia sets out a framework for the management of the recreational fishery, while the Review of size, bag and boat limits in South Australia’s recreational fishing sector, marine and freshwater outlines proposed changes for some species on the limits on the number and size of fish.

The options outlined in the King George Whiting paper cover both recreational and commercial fishery management options in Spencer Gulf and the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island region.

The public consultation period begins today until Friday April 29.

Public meetings will also be held in February and March in Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Whyalla, Wallaroo, Adelaide, Renmark, Millicent, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island.

To view the documents, community meeting dates and details on how to provide feedback, go to the www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/community_engagement/recreational_fishing_review page.