Southern Sand Flathead (sand flathead) are Tasmania's favourite recreational catch. Almost every Tasmanian's first fishing story features a flattie.
But our fishing has been more than the population can sustain. Fishing for sand flathead is now
highly unsustainable in most of Tasmania.
If we don't take significant action, particularly in the south-eastern zone, it's unlikely stocks will rebuild in the near future. Putting sand flathead on the path to rebuilding will take Government, scientists and fishers working together.
The Tasmanian Government is taking strong new measures to rebuild the sand flathead fishery, including:
- New rules to protect sand flathead that are being implemented from
1 March 2026.
-
A breeding and stock enhancement program in the south-east.
But the real place rebuilding starts is on the water – with the decisions made by everyday fishers like you.
Recovery is in our hands. Be a part of a sand flathead rebuilding success story so every Tasmanian can have Flathead for the Future.
Rebuilding our sand flathead fishery
Understanding the sand flathead fishery
Most flathead are
caught within a year of reaching legal size in heavily fished areas.