Proposed rule changes for the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery are now open for public comment.
The proposed amendments to the
Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015 apply to commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fishing and include:
- reviewing size, bag and possession limits for depleted and depleting species for all fishers;
- introducing regional and statewide rules for depleted and depleting species;
- introducing two new commercial calamari licence types;
- reviewing recreational gillnetting arrangements; and
- introducing registration of charter fishing operations and reporting requirements.
Species that are assessed as depleted or depleting include sand flathead, calamari, striped trumpeter, bastard trumpeter, blue warehou, garfish and jackass morwong.
The proposed changes aim to improve the long-term sustainability of the scalefish fishery and modernise how it is managed.
We are seeking your views on the proposed rule changes. Public comment is open until 5 June 2023 (extended by a week).
|
Interim measures for sand flathead including changes to recreational catch limits have been introduced to alleviate fishing pressure while the rules review is undertaken. |
Consultation documents
Public information sessions
Date
|
Location
|
Venue
|
Session Time
|
26 April
| Strahan | Theatre Room, Risby Cove, Esplanade
|
7:00pm session -
Book |
28 April
| Hobart |
L1 Truwana/Cape Barren Room, Lands Building, 134 Macquarie Street
| 12:00pm session -
Book
1:00pm session -
Book
|
1 May
| Orford
| King Diego Room, Eastcoaster Resort
|
5:30pm session -
Book
|
2 May
| Bicheno | Bicheno Memorial Hall Annex, Burgess Street
| 12:30pm session -
Book
|
2 May
| St Helens
| Panorama Hotel, Quail Street
| 5:30pm session -
Book
6:30pm session -
Book |
3 May
| Launceston | Room 10, Launceston Conference Centre, Glen Dhu Street
| 5:30pm session -
Book
7:00pm session -
Book |
Thu, Fri & Sat,
May 4 - 6
| Agfest Fish Hub - Have your say
| Fishing Hub, Cnr Seventh and North Sts, Marine Precinct
| 8:00am - 4:00pm daily
|
8 May
| Hobart | Iluka Room, Hobart Function and Conference Centre, Elizabeth Street Pier
| 5:30pm session -
Book
7:00pm session -
Book
|
10 May
| Hobart | Level 1 Truwana/Cape Barren Room, Lands Building, 134 Macquarie Street
| 12:00pm session -
Book
1:30pm session -
Book
|
10 May
| Smithton |
Hall of Fame, Circular Head Community & Rec Centre, Cnr Nelson & Grant Sts
|
5:30pm session -
Book
|
| 11 May | Devonport | Function Room, Devonport Surf Lifesaving Club
| 12:30pm session -
Book
|
| 11 May | Burnie | Function Room, Cradle Coast Authority, 1-3 Spring St | 6:30pm session -
Book |
19 May
| Flinders Island | Council Office Hall, Whitemark | 5:15pm session - Book |
24 May
| Eaglehawk Neck
| Eaglehawk Neck Community Hall, Arthur Highway
| 5:30pm session -
Book
(Rescheduled time)
|
25 May
| Geeveston | Geeveston Community Hall
| 6:30pm session -
Book
(Rescheduled time)
|
26 May
| Huon/Channel area
| Brookfield Shed, 1640 Channel Highway, Margate
| 6:30pm session -
Book
(Rescheduled time)
|
What happens now?
Public submissions form part of a summary report of community responses to the proposed changes. This report, including how the Wild Fisheries Branch will address community feedback, is provided to the Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee and Scalefish Fisheries Advisory Committee for their advice and recommendations.
In consultation with the FACs and considering scientific advice, NRE Tas then identifies whether the proposed changes can be modified in response to community feedback, without compromising fisheries outcomes. A formal report is then submitted to the Minister containing:
- submissions received during the public consultation period,
- SFAC and RecFAC recommendations, and
- final NRE Tas advice.
The Minister makes the final determination about proposed rule changes and the report is made public after any management changes are announced.
Information about submissions
All submissions, including the names of individual respondents, will be treated as public information, and will be made available on the Fishing Tasmania website.
The following information will not be published:
-
private addresses and contact details (including mobile phone numbers)
- defamatory or offensive material
- submissions which breach any laws
- submissions that do not substantively comment on issues relevant to the consultation.
A submission may be publicly withheld when it is not in the public interest to release it—for example—to protect personal and other sensitive information (including that of a commercial nature). A request can be made for all or part of a submission (including the name of the submitting person or organisation) to be publicly withheld. Reasons to withhold must accompany a request.
The Right to Information Act 2009 and confidentiality
By law, information provided to the Government may be provided to an applicant under the provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI). If you have indicated that you wish all or part of your submission to be confidential, the statement that details your reasons will be taken into account in determining whether to release the information in the event of an RTI application for assessed disclosure.