Gummy Shark

Guide to symbols

Bag Limit

Possession Limit

Boat Limit

Rules

See Detailed Rules below for all rules that apply

Bag limit and possession limit applies to school and gummy shark combined.
Boat limit applies to all shark, skate and ray species combined, excluding elephantfish.

Minimum size

75cm (or 45cm headed and tailed)

Measuring

Measure shark species either from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, or for headed and tailed shark, from the back gill slit to the base of the tail. More information.

Other names

gummy, southern gummy shark, grey gummy shark, flake, sweet William

Scientific name

Mustelus antarcticus

Grows to

Up to

Females 175cm, males 145cm. Up to 40kg

Identifying features

Gummy shark are bronze to grey with small white spots along the body and a pale belly. There are two dorsal fins of a similar size.

Responsible fishing tips

Sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because they are long-lived, slow to mature and produce few offspring compared with other fish. Responsible fishers should return all unwanted shark to the water alive and undamaged. Using circle hooks will ensure the shark is predominantly jaw hooked and easier to release using a sturdy de-hooking device. Consider using fewer hooks on longlines in areas where gummy sharks are prevalent to avoid exceeding catch limits.

Detailed Rules

Bag limits

Applies to school and gummy shark combined.
You cannot take shark if you are in a Shark Refuge Area.

Size limits

75cm or 45cm headed and tailed.

Possession limits

Applies to school and gummy shark combined.

Boat limits

Applies to all shark, skate and ray species combined, excluding elephantfish.

Area restrictions

Shark Refuge Areas

Shark Refuge Areas are important breeding habitat for sharks, skates and rays. When in a Shark Refuge Area:

You cannot take shark, skates or rays (except elephantfish).
You cannot deliberately fish for shark, skates or rays (except elephantfish) even if you intend to release what you catch.
If you accidentally catch a shark, skate or ray, you must return it to the water as soon as possible.

Other gear restrictions apply in Shark Refuge Areas. See Area Restrictions for more detail.

Many bays and estuaries on the east and south-east coast of Tasmania are Shark Refuge Areas. The River Tamar and Port Sorell on the north coast are also Shark Refuge Areas.

Removing shark fins

The dorsal and pectoral fins must remain attached to all shark until they are brought above the high-water mark. The diagram shows which fins may be removed to bleed a shark.

More Information

Measuring shark

You can measure shark species either:

from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, or
for headed and tailed shark, from the back gill slit to the base of the tail.

Habitat

Gummy sharks are widely distributed around the southern half of Australia including Bass Strait and Tasmania. Found mainly over sandy areas and will come close inshore to beaches at night in search of food items. Can be caught from 2-80m but may go much deeper. Gummy sharks depend on inshore nursery areas including sheltered bays and estuaries as habitat for birthing females and for juveniles.

Fishing information

These sharks are becoming increasingly targeted by anglers fishing at night from beaches around Tasmania. Sturdy fishing gear is required and try baits such as fish flesh or squid. The most popular method for fishing gummy sharks in Tasmania is by longline, their use being almost exclusively to target this species. Occasionally caught from boats by anglers fishing for flathead.

Handling

These sharks have flattened teeth that are turned inwards such that the points and edges are not exposed, hence their name ‘gummy’ sharks. All large sharks should be handled carefully as they tend to thrash about when landed.

Cooking

The flesh is firm and tasty though it should be well bled. Keeping fillets in fridge overnight improves their eating quality.

Recipe: Sesame Baked Flake:

1 kg flake fillets; salt and pepper; ½ cup melted butter; 2 cups soft breadcrumbs; ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds.

Place fish in shallow greased baking dish. Sprinkle with salt. Combine breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, butter and season to taste. Spoon over fish. Bake in moderate oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes.