Scalefish Fishery Rule Changes

Scalefish rules consultation re-opened – August 2023

Proposed rule changes for the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery have re-opened for a further period of consultation to meet the legislative requirements of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 and to facilitate additional consultation with local councils.

Some rule changes proposed in the original consultation undertaken from 19 April to 6 June this year have been withdrawn - see below.

All other proposals remain unchanged. A decision on these proposals will occur after the second consultation period and will take into consideration all submissions received since 19 April.

If you participated in the earlier consultation, you do not need to resubmit your previous submission.  Earlier submissions will be carried forward and considered as part of this round of consultation.

Proposed changes

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; and
  • reviewing recreational gillnetting arrangements.

Species that are assessed as depleted or depleting include sand flathead, calamari, striped trumpeter, bastard trumpeter, blue warehou, garfish and jackass morwong.

Proposed changes that have been withdrawn

Proposed changes that have been withdrawn from the consultation process are marked in red in the Public Consultation Paper.

To provide certainty to fishers, the Minister has determined that the following changes will not proceed:
  • Calamari - introduction of two new limited commercial calamari licence types, reduction of recreational bag and possession limits and the introduction of boat limits.
  • Spearfishing - banning the spearing of banded morwong, sand flathead, bastard trumpeter, and striped trumpeter.
  • Charter fishing - the introduction of rules relating to charter operators, to enable further consultation.
  • Depleted and depleting species - the proposed rule allowing the introduction or amendment of catch limits and/or size limits that apply to any part of a fishery by published notice.

Public comment is open until 11:59pm on Monday, 25 September 2023.


Consultation documents

 Public Consultation Paper - Scalefish Rules Review August 2023

 Draft Legislation - Fisheries (Scalefish) Amendment Rules August 2023

 Fact Sheet - Scalefish Changes Not Progressing

 Fact Sheet - Tasmanian Calamari Fishery



Make a submission

Please read the consultation documents and make a submission on the proposed changes before 11:59pm on Monday, 25 September 2023.


Online:

​Use the online form

​Email:​Email your submission to scalefish.review@nre.tas.gov.au
Post:​​Wild Fisheries Management Branch, NRE Tas, PO Box 44, Hobart, Tas 7001.​


Contact

Wild Fisheries Management Branch
Level 3, 134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 44
Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6165 3000, 1300 368 550
Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

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Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au