Fishers getting ready for some summer fishing are now able to pick up the 2024-25 Recreational Sea Fishing Guide from Service Tasmania outlets or online, while recreational sea fisheries licences will also become available to purchase from 21 October.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the Tasmanian Government is committed to ensuring our state's recreational fisheries can be enjoyed for generations to come.
"The Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and Fishing Tas app include all the information anglers need regarding sea fishing rules in Tasmania. This year's guide includes some changes for sand flathead, gillnetting in Macquarie Harbour and recreational rock lobster catch reporting which will be in effect from 1 November 2024," said Minister Abetz.
"Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, the recovery of sand flathead remains a priority for the Tasmanian Government and minor changes to sand flathead management have been made to ensure our precious shared resource recovers and is sustainable well into the future.
"Unfortunately, Tasmania Police checks last summer reported significant compliance issues, particularly in the southeast, where stocks are most depleted. From 1 November, there will be an on-water possession limit for sand flathead equal to fishers' daily bag limit for the East and South East of Tasmania. This means while on water, fishers cannot have more fish in their possession than the daily bag limit for the zone they are in. The on-land possession limit remains unchanged at 10 fish and bag limits also remain unchanged.
"To improve catch reporting and make compliance easier, rock lobster catch reporting procedures have also changed. From the opening of the season, fishers must report their catch immediately after tail-marking their last lobster or if no catch, immediately after pulling their pot, checking their ring or finishing their dive. So please remember to measure, mark and report your catch.
"Recreational gillnetting will also no longer be permitted in Macquarie Harbour from 1 November 2024, as part of the Government's policy to phase out all recreational gillnetting statewide by 2030."
Compliance is important to ensure ongoing access and effective management of our wild fisheries into the future. As we approach the busy summer period, Tasmanians can expect fisheries officers to be out performing compliance checks ensuring we are all are doing the right thing; fishers are also encouraged to update their Fishing Tas app before they hit the water.
