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South-eastern zone closure FAQs
Why has the south-eastern zone been closed?
Fishing pressure for sand flathead is highly unsustainable in most of Tasmania, but it is most severe in Tasmania's south-east due to a higher population of fishers.
Over half of sand flathead are caught in the south-east and recent sampling found only 1 in 100 sand flathead in the area were larger than the minimum size.
The south-eastern zone closure was necessary to protect this critical area of the fishery and allow it to rebuild more quickly.
Read more about the results from the latest IMAS sand flathead stock assessment (PDF).
The closure is also critical to support an exciting new IMAS-led stock enhancement program in south-east waters.
When will the south-eastern zone re-open?
The south-eastern zone will re-open when data indicate that the size and structure of the sand flathead population in the area can sustainably support fishing again.
We are prioritising the speed of recovery.
Rebuilding a fishery is a naturally slow process. Sand flathead need time to breed and grow large to rebuild the stock, which may take many years. Our aim is for our actions now to help the fishery recover in a number of years and not decades. The closure, combined with the stock enhancement program, is the fastest foreseeable way for all of us to return to fishing.
Every Tasmanian can contribute to a faster, more successful rebuild by:
- Following the rules.
- Using responsible handling and release techniques.
- Choosing to fish for
a mixed bag of sustainable species instead of sand flathead.
- Reporting suspicious or illegal fishing to Tasmania Police on 131 444.
Work is underway to predict specific rebuilding timeframes as IMAS advance their modelling techniques for data-poor contexts.
As a recreational fisher, if I catch sand flathead in other zones, can I travel through the south-eastern zone to bring them to shore?
No. The south-eastern zone has an on-water possession limit of 0. That means recreational fishers cannot have any sand flathead in their possession (including parts of sand flathead as bait or berley) while on the water in this zone, even if the fish were caught in another zone.
Without this rule, the closure of the south-eastern zone could not be effectively managed or enforced.
Can I use sand flathead for bait or berley in the south-eastern zone?
No. The south-eastern zone has an on-water possession limit of 0. That means recreational fishers cannot have any sand flathead in their possession (including parts of sand flathead as bait or berley) while on the water in this zone, even if the fish were caught in another zone.
I live in the south-east. Can I still have sand flathead in the freezer at home?
Yes. You are still allowed to possess up to 10 sand flathead on land anywhere in Tasmania. However, these sand flathead must have been caught prior to the closure or outside the closure area.
Can I still catch other species of flathead in the south-eastern zone?
Yes. The south-eastern zone closure only applies to sand flathead. You can still catch and possess other species of flathead in this area. However,
all species of flathead must be landed whole or as fillets with intact frames (head and tail attached).
How do I know what species of flathead I have caught?
You are responsible for properly identifying your catch. If you think you've caught a fish that
could be sand flathead in the south-eastern zone, play it safe and put it back.
You can find advice for identifying your catch at: How you can help sand flathead rebuild or on the Fishing Tas app.
Where are the boundaries of the south-eastern zone?
The south-eastern zone is all water between a north-south line at Whale Head (146°52'15") and north-south line at Cape Pillar (148°00'41"), including the entirety of the previous D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Derwent River, Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays Zone.
The northern boundary of the south-eastern zone is the southern end of the Dunalley Canal. The southern boundary of the south-eastern zone is 200 nautical miles from shore.
Landing flathead whole FAQs
Can I still clean my flathead at sea?
Yes. You can still fillet and clean your fish at sea (and you can discard the gills and guts), but you must keep the intact fish frame (head and tail attached) with the fillets until you have returned to land.
What does 'intact frame' mean?
A fish frame is the skeleton, including the head and tail, that is left after filleting a fish. Under this rule, a fish frame must be 'naturally intact'. This means the frame must be in one piece, with head and tail attached.
All species of flathead must be landed whole or as fillets with intact frames (head and tail attached).
Example 1: Allowed - whole fish or fillets with intact frame
Example 2: Not Allowed - flathead fillets and no frame
Example 3: Not Allowed - flathead fillets and frame not intact
When is flathead considered 'landed'?
A flathead is considered ‘landed’ once it has been brought ashore, whether that’s at a jetty, boat ramp or beach.
What should I do with my fish frames and fish waste?
- Use more of your fish for cooking
- Cook fish whole
- Take extra cuts (e.g. wings and roe)
- Use the frames to make fish stock and soups
- Re-use as bait or berley
- Use as crayfish bait on a future fishing trip in the same area
- Chop/grind up and use as berley on your next fishing trip in the same area
- Use as garden fertiliser
If you don't plan to use your fish waste, it's important you dispose of it responsibly:
- Freeze and dispose of in your garbage or FOGO (food organics and other organics) bin on pickup day
Do not dump fish waste at boat ramps.
How does the requirement to land flathead whole work if I'm fishing overnight or for multiple days?
You must have flathead fillets with the accompanying frames when on the water. This means that if you are fishing overnight or for multiple days, you must keep your fish whole, or as fillets and frames until you have landed your catch.
If you’re fishing for multiple days, it’s also important to make sure you’re complying with the on-water possession limit for the zone you are in and for any zone you will be moving through. The on-water possession limit is the maximum amount of fish you as an individual can have in your possession when you’re on water (e.g. in a boat). It applies regardless of the number of days you have been fishing.
Can I eat flathead at sea?
You may cook and eat flathead on board your boat (except sand flathead in the south-eastern zone). However, you must keep the frames until you have eaten the fillets. Once you have eaten the fillets, you can dispose of the frames at sea, you do not have to land them.
Why has this rule been introduced?
This requirement helps Tasmania Police accurately enforce sand flathead rules.
Landing fish whole, or as fillets with frames, allows officers to clearly identify the flathead species caught and confirm compliance with bag and size limits.
Commercial sand flathead fishing FAQs
Commercial fishing for sand flathead has been banned for Tasmanian-licenced fishers since 2023. Any by-catch (which is minimal) must be returned to the water.
How much sand flathead do commercial fishers catch?
Since 2023, commercial sand flathead fishing has been banned for Tasmanian-licenced commercial fishers.
Before 2023, commercial fishing made up very little of total sand flathead catch - only about 2%, most of which was taken by handline.
A comparison of commercial and recreational sand flathead catch from 1995-96 to 2022-23.
Fishing for sand flathead is still permitted in the Commonwealth fishery targeting tiger flathead, which operates 3 nautical miles or further offshore. However, sand flathead is not a target species of this fishery.
The Commonwealth fishery rarely catch sand flathead because they fish in deep waters, and sand flathead are more typically found in shallower, inshore waters.
Why can I still buy flathead from stores or restaurants?
Other species of flathead, like tiger flathead can still be commercially caught and sold in Tasmania.
If you see flathead for sale, it is likely tiger flathead (a sustainable species) or an imported species.
Has trawling caused sand flathead depletion?
No. Trawlers have not been permitted to operate in Tasmanian State waters (within 3 nautical miles of shore) since 2001.
Trawlers do operate in the Commonwealth fishery (3 nautical miles or further offshore). These vessels may land fish in Tasmania, but they can’t fish in State waters. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) uses many methods to monitor the compliance of fishing activities and collect data on fish stocks, including onboard observers, satellite tracking and electronic monitoring (i.e., cameras).
Other commercial fishing methods, like Danish seining are allowed in State waters and can look like trawling from a distance. However, Danish seining is not trawling and does not plough the bottom. The Danish seine fishery does not target sand flathead and independent observers found sand flathead by-catch was very rare (less than 0.01% of catch).
If you’re concerned you’ve seen illegal fishing, whether recreationally or commercially, you can report it to Tasmania Police on 131 444.
General sand flathead FAQs
How long will it take sand flathead stocks to rebuild?
Rebuilding a fishery is a naturally slow process. Sand flathead need time to breed and grow large to rebuild the stock, which may take many years. The goal of actions taken now is to help the fishery recover in years and not decades.
Everyone can contribute to a faster, more successful rebuild by:
- Following the rules.
- Using responsible handling and release techniques.
- Choosing to fish for a mixed bag of sustainable species instead of sand flathead.
- Reporting suspicious or illegal fishing to Tasmania Police on 131 444.
Work is underway to predict specific rebuilding timeframes as IMAS develop more sophisticated stock assessment models.
Has salmon farming had an impact on sand flathead?
There is almost no doubt that historic, recreational fishing pressure has been the main impact on sand flathead stocks. Research indicates that regional differences in sand flathead health are closely related to fishing pressure.
The size structure of sand flathead populations across different areas, including salmon farming areas, supports this - there are good numbers of juvenile fish, but the numbers decline dramatically once fish reach legal size.
If salmon farming was affecting the fishery, you would more likely see a low number of fish of all sizes.