​Seasonal spawning closures for garfish will apply to recreational fishers for the first time from 15 November 2022. Closures have applied in the commercial fishery for several years.
There are two separate closure periods:
- Southern Waters, 15 November - 14 December: All waters south of a line from Cape Grim east to Cape Naturaliste (the same line used for the North Coast squid closure, see map below).
- Northern Waters, 15 January - 14 February: All waters north of the above line.
The closures are a precautionary measure to restrain catch and limit disturbance during peak spawning activity to help maintain garfish stocks into the future.
Fishers can not take or possess any species of garfish during the closures.
More information:
Fishing seasons
Southern garfish