In 2026, NRE Tas will be proposing changes to the
Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015 (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.
The main aim of the 2026 Scalefish Rules Remake is to support the recovery of depleted and depleting species.
Species like sand flathead, 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 remain sustainable into the future.
- make rules more effective.
For information on the stock status of scalefish species, see the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery Assessment 2023/24 (PDF)
Snapshot of Tasmania's Depleted and Depleting Species
Learn about depleted and depleting speicies, the management challenges they face, their life cycles, catch trends in recreational and commercial fisheries, and historical management that has shaped the fishery today.
Take a closer look at Tasmania’s depleted and depleting scalefish species:
Next steps
We're currently considering your early feedback before drafting specific proposed changes to the Scalefish Rules. You can have your say on these proposed changes during public consultation in 2026. Any rule changes that are made will take effect 1 November 2026.
| 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 | 2026
|
| Stage 4 - Consider Feedback and Finalise Rules | 2026 |
| Stage 5 - New Rules Presented for Minister Approval | 2026 |
| Stage 6 - New Rules Announced | 2026 |
| Stage 7 - New Rules Take Effect | 1 November 2026 |
| Stage 8 - Ongoing Monitoring and Research | 2026 and beyond
|
Submission FAQs
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Important information to note
-
Your name (or the name of the organisation) will be published unless you request otherwise.
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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 Public Engagement and Consultation Policy (PDF).
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.