In 2021, the Tasmanian Government committed to phasing out the use of recreational gillnets by 2030.
This commitment was driven by a growing recognition of the impacts
of gillnets on target and non-target species (including marine mammals and
seabirds), the conflict between gillnets and other water users, and changing community
values.
Reducing impacts from high-risk fishing gear is also consistent
with principles outlined in the Tasmanian Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy.
Beginning to phase out recreational gillnetting
The phase out of recreational gillnetting will occur in three stages, and the first stage has been proposed as part of the Scalefish Rules Review.
The proposed changes include:
- Reducing the maximum soak time from 6 to 2 hours;
- Requiring recreational nets set in Shark Refuge Areas to be attended by the licence holder at all times;
- Prohibiting the use of recreational gillnets in water greater than 20 metres in depth;
- Prohibiting the use of recreational gillnets in waters further than 250 metres from the high-water mark; and
- Implementing the interim gillnet management arrangements for Macquarie Harbour into the Scalefish Rules.
You can have your say on these proposed changes during the public consultation period of the Scalefish Rules Review, which is open until midnight on Monday, 5 June. The later stages of the phase out of recreational gillnetting will be for a future review process, and are not part of the Scalefish Rule Review.
2025 onwards
In 2025, it is proposed to:
- Prohibit the use of recreational gillnets in Shark Refuge Areas; and
- Require recreational nets set in waters where recreational gillnetting is allowed to be attended by the licence holder at all times.
In 2027, it's proposed to restrict recreational netting for the targeting and retention of Atlantic Salmon only following notifiable escape events.
After 1 January 2030, all recreational gillnetting activity will no longer be permitted.
A recreational fisher setting a gillnet.
How the arrangements were developed
The arrangements to transition away from gillnetting were developed in coordination with a reference group comprised of recreational fishers plus representatives from NRE Wild Fisheries, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), the Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing (TARFish), the Tasmania Police and the NRE Marine Conservation Program.
A scoping paper covering all relevant information was drafted to provide the group with the necessary information to propose transitional management arrangements.
Recreational Gillnetting in Tasmania - Transitional Arrangements