NRE Tas will be proposing changes to the Scalefish Fishery Management Plan (the Scalefish Rules) through the Scalefish Rules Remake.
The Scalefish Rules govern scalefish and scalefish fishing gear. They apply to recreational, commercial and Aboriginal fishers. A remake is an opportunity to improve how we manage the fishery.
New timeline
NRE Tas has extended the
Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015, to provide continued operation of the management plan whilst policy development and consultation information and processes are finalised.
Thank you for your patience as we work through the extended process. The proposed rule changes are expected to be
open for public consultation from late 2026 to early 2027, with
new rules to commence on 1 July 2027.
The updated timeline will ensure:
- A more thorough review and modernisation of the rules.
- More time for stakeholders to be able to have their say on proposed changes.
- More time to consider submissions received during consultation.
- More time for the community to familiarise themselves with any rule changes before they take effect.
Our priority is to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and supported to have their say during the consultation period.
Aims of Scalefish Rules Remake
The main aim of the Scalefish Rules Remake is to support the recovery of depleted and depleting species.
Species like southern calamari and striped trumpeter fall into this category. Fishing pressure for these species is likely too high for recovery, so management changes are needed.
The Remake may also consider changes to:
- make sure that other species, including emerging species, remain sustainable into the future.
- make rules more effective.
For information on the stock status of scalefish species, see the:
Next steps
We're currently preparing the Draft New Rules to release for Statutory Public Consultation. You can have your say on these proposed changes during public consultation. Any rule changes that are made will take effect 1 July 2027.
Please note: The timeline below reflects our current expectations for the Scalefish Rules Remake. Dates are subject to change and may be adjusted in response to consultation outcomes, or operational requirements.
| Stage 1 - Early Engagement
| Completed
|
| Stage 2 - Consider Feedback and Draft New Rules for Public Consultation | In Progress
|
| Stage 3 - Draft New Rules Released for Statutory Public Consultation | Late 2026
|
| Stage 4 - Consider Feedback and Finalise Rules | Feb 2027
|
| Stage 5 - New Rules Presented for Minister Approval | April 2027
|
| Stage 6 - New Rules Announced | June 2027
|
| Stage 7 - New Rules Take Effect | 1 July 2027
|
| Stage 8 - Ongoing Monitoring and Research | 2027 and beyond
|
Summary of feedback received through early engagement
Between 22 October 2025 and 19 November 2025, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) undertook early engagement on the Scalefish Rules.
We appreciate the valuable input provided by fishers, stakeholders and the wider community. The feedback received has helped identify key issues, priorities and perspectives that will inform future decision-making for Tasmania's scalefish fishery.
View the Summary Feedback Report for insights into key themes, stakeholder sentiment and the number of submissions received:
What We Heard-Scalefish Early Engagement (PDF 245Kb)
Submission FAQs
Other than indicate, submissions will be treated as public information and may be published on our website. No personal information other than an individual’s name or the organisation making a submission will be published.
Accessibility of submissions
The Government recognises that not all individuals or groups are equally placed to access and understand information. We are therefore committed to ensuring Government information is accessible and easily understood by people with diverse communication needs
Where possible, please consider typing your submission in plain English and providing it in a format such as Microsoft Word or equivalent. The Government cannot however take responsibility for the accessibility of documents provided by third parties.
Important information to note
-
Your name (or the name of the organisation) will be published unless you request otherwise.
- In the absence of a clear indication that a submission is intended to be treated as confidential (or parts of the submission), the Department will treat the submission as public.
- If you would like your submission treated as confidential, whether in whole or in part, please indicate this in writing at the time of making your submission clearly identifying the parts of your submission you want to remain confidential and the reasons why. In this case, your submission will not be published to the extent of that request.
- Copyright in submissions remains with the author(s), not with the Tasmanian Government.
- The Department will not publish, in whole or in part, submissions containing defamatory or offensive material. If your submission includes information that could enable the identification of other individuals then either all or parts of the submission will not be published.
The Right to Information Act 2009 and confidentiality
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 treated as confidential, your statement detailing the reasons may be taken into account in determining whether or not to release the information in the event of an RTI application for assessed disclosure. You may also be contacted to provide any further comment.
How will your feedback be considered?
Your feedback will help inform what changes we propose as part of the 2026 Scalefish Rules Remake.
Whether we can action your feedback as part of the Remake will depend on:
- if the suggested change is supported by the latest fisheries science;
- if it is fair for all users of the fishery;
- if the identified issue is a priority;
- if the proposed solution can be appropriately resourced by the Department; and
- if the Remake is the right place to address the issue. For example, an issue may be better addressed through policy changes or need more research.
Public consultation is a critical input to decision-making on public issues. However, it does not replace the final decision-making power of delegates under legislation, such as the Minister, Secretary or their delegates. You can learn more about how we engage with you in our
Marine Resources Public Engagement and Consultation Policy (PDF 491Kb)
If your feedback is not addressed as part of the Remake, it may be considered in future policies or legislative reviews.
What is managed under the Scalefish Rules?
The Scalefish Rules manage the recreational, commercial and Aboriginal fisheries for:
- All fish with scales (e.g. sand flathead, striped trumpeter).
- Sharks
- Squid, octopus and calamari
- Shrimps and prawns
- Swimming crabs and shore crabs
The Scalefish Rules also include the rules for scalefish fishing gear (e.g. nets, lines, bait traps, spears).
Summary of 2023 Scalefish Rules Review
The Scalefish Rules were last changed in 2023 after extensive consultation.
The main changes included:
- Changes to size limits and bag limits for the depleted sand flathead
- Banning commercial fishing for sand flathead
- Changes to recreational and/or commercial rules for other depleted species, including:
- striped trumpeter
- bastard trumpeter
- blue warehou
- southern garfish
- jackass morwong
- Changes to recreational gillnetting rules.