Rules for Filleting Fish at Sea
- You can clean and fillet fish at sea, but special rules apply for all flathead species, striped trumpeter and shark. See below.
- For fish that have been filleted, two fillets are deemed to be the equivalent of one fish.
All flathead species and striped trumpeter
All flathead species and striped trumpeter must be landed whole or as fillets with intact frames (head and tail attached).
Shark
Dorsal and pectoral fins must remain attached to all shark species until they are brought above the high-water mark.
Refer to the diagram below for details of which fins you can remove to bleed the shark.
What should I do with 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 take out to sea on next fishing trip to the same area for disposal
- Freeze and dispose of in your garbage or FOGO (food organics and other organics) bin on pickup day.
Please keep fish filleting stations, landing areas, boat ramps and jetties clean.