SA rolls out ‘urgent’ snapper bans, seasonal closures
Outright ban in the state's south-west, seasonal one to the south-east as SA maps out a three-year fish stock recovery planIt’s official: South Australia will introduce a three-year blanket ban on snapper fishing along its western coastline from November 1 as it takes “urgent action” to protect stocks of the fish.
The ban will apply to waters in the West Coast, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent regions of the state until February 2023.
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In the south-east, annual snapper fishing closures will kick in from November to January, with fishers who deliberately hook up or take snapper liable for a $315 on-the-spot fine.
“For the remainder of the year, the south-east region will be open to fishing,” Primary Industries and Regions SA said.
“However, to ensure protection of the south-east snapper stock, a total allowable catch will be set and shared between all fishing sectors – commercial, recreational and charter.
If the TAC is reached, the fishery will be closed,” it warned.
Commercial fishers will be allowed to take up to 81 per cent – or eight out of every 10 snapper caught – under the arrangement.
Tag system
The SA government said it would also look at a snapper “recreational harvest” tag system to replace the current bag limit. The current size limit would remain, it said.
“Before a recreational fisher can target snapper, they will be required to have a recreational harvest tag,” it said.
“Any legal-sized snapper caught will have to be tagged upon capture. Full details on the harvest tag system will be released prior to the fishery opening on February 1, 2020.
“When the south-east fishery reopens on February 1, 2020, recreational fishers will be required to use methods to maximise the survival of releasing snapper, including using release weights.”
Fish weights
Fish weights are devices used to reduce barotrauma, or the damage caused to fish as they are pulled from deep in the water to the surface.
The weight is fixed to a barbless hook that is run through the lip of the fish and helps it to drop back to the reef quickly, minimising trauma. A release line then detaches the weight.
The announcement introducing the SA snapper fishing bans also reveals the state will increase penalties for illegal fishing.
“With few exceptions, the current expiation fees under the [Fisheries Management Act 2007] have not increased for over 15 years,” it said.
“In many cases the Victims of Crime Levy exceeds the amount of the fine. Increased fines on illegal fishing is expected to raise $1.4 million over four years.”
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