The NSW Government has announced changes to saltwater and freshwater fishing rules after extensive consultation with NSW recreational and commercial fishers.
A number of changes to size limits, bag limits and fishing methods are being introduced to recreational fishing rules. These changes are summarised below and will apply from 3 September 2007.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said the bag and size limits for recreational fishing are reviewed periodically to ensure a sustainable future for high quality recreational fishing in NSW. The size limits also apply to commercial fishing.
'These changes reflect the findings of scientific assessments, the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, the Palmer inquiry into illegal fishing, advice from expert committees of fishers and more than 3300 public submissions,' Mr Macdonald said.
The changes to freshwater fishing include –
• Increasing the minimum legal length for Murray cod and a new closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch to protect breeding fish.
• Leaving a line unattended will now be prohibited but the distance a fisher can be from each line has been increased.
• Simplifying the trout water classifications.
The changes to saltwater fishing include –
• New minimum legal length limits for pearl perch, yellowtail kingfish, luderick (blackfish) dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), blue groper and morwong.
• Bag limit reductions from 20 to 10 for bonito, dolphin fish, octopus, rubberlip and jackass morwong and a new combined bag limit of 20 for bream and tarwhine.
• Bag limit reductions from 2 to 1 for popular billfish species, including marlin.
Mr Macdonald said a number of changes would also be made to improve the management of fishing competitions, including developing a voluntary code of practice.' he said.
'About one million people enjoy recreational fishing each year in NSW.
'These changes are about working with the community to progressively improve fishing rules to ensure the future sustainability and viability of our valuable fisheries resources'
The changes will start on September 3, 2007. NSW DPI will undertake an extensive public advisory campaign over the coming months to promote the changes, including new fishing guides and updated signage around NSW waterways.
New Recreational fishing rules - additional background information.
The major changes to freshwater fishing include –
• Leaving a line unattended will now be prohibited; this aims to reduce the injury, stress and death of fish and invertebrates that result from being caught on unattended lines. However the distance a person can be from each line will increase from 10 metres to 50 metres.
• Increasing the minimum legal length for Murray cod, to provide better protection for immature fish. The current legal length will increase to 55cm after 1 December 2007 and to 60cm after 1 December 2008.
• A new closed season for Australian bass and estuary perch from June 1 to August 31 each year to allow the fish to spawn.
• Simplifying the trout water classifications to two categories; artificial fly and lure only waters and general trout waters.
• The bag limit for unlisted native fish, which previously had no limit, will now be set at 10.
The major changes to saltwater fishing include –
• Introducing a new minimum legal length of 30cm for pearl perch.
• Increasing the minimum legal length for yellowtail kingfish from 60cm to 65cm.
• Increasing the minimum legal length for luderick (blackfish) from 25cm to 27cm.
• Introducing a minimum legal length of 60cm for dolphin fish (mahi-mahi). Additionally, only one fish may measure over 110cm.
• Introducing new combined bag limit of 20 for bream and tarwhine.
• A bag limit reduction from 20 to 10 will now apply to bonito, dolphin fish, octopus, rubberlip and jackass morwong.
• A bag limit reduction from 2 to 1 will now apply to highly prized billfish species, including sailfish and swordfish. A bag limit of 1 will also apply to each species of marlin. Reducing the bag limit will still allow for a trophy fish to be taken.
• A minimum legal length of 30cm will be introduced for blue groper. These fish mature as females between 24 and 34cm and change sex to males at about 60cm. The new size limit will protect females prior to maturity.
• The legal length for rubberlip morwong has been increased by 2cm to 30cm and the bag limit reduced to 10.
• The minimum legal length for red morwong will be increased from 25cm to 30cm. This aims to improve protection of small fish in shallow water.
• A combined bag limit of 5 will now apply to all shark and ray species, including only 1 tiger, mako, blue shark, hammerhead and whaler species. A zero bag limit will now apply to wobbegong sharks.
A full list of changes are detailed here.
A number of changes to size limits, bag limits and fishing methods are being introduced to recreational fishing rules. These changes are summarised below and will apply from 3 September 2007. NSW DPI will be undertaking an extensive public advisory campaign over three months to promote the changes. Updated information will be available from recreational fishing fee agents (most tackle shops) and DPI fisheries offices from 3 September or check out www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 550 474.
Saltwater
All changes are indicated in bold.
Finfish Bag and Size Limits
|
Species |
Size Limits |
Bag Limit |
|
Australian bass and estuary perch |
Only 1 fish longer than 35cm |
2 in total.* 4 in possession.
Zero bag limit in rivers and estuaries from 1 June to 31 August each year. |
|
Bonito |
- |
10 |
|
Bream and tarwhine |
Bream 25cm
Tarwhine 20cm |
20 in total* |
|
Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) |
60cm |
10. Only 1 fish over 110cm |
|
Eel (long finned) |
58cm |
10 in total |
|
Flounder and sole |
25cm |
20 in total* |
|
Garfish (eastern sea) |
- |
20 |
|
Groper (blue, red / brown) |
30cm |
2 by line only. Only 1 fish over 60cm. |
|
Kingfish (yellowtail) |
65cm |
5 |
|
Leatherjackets |
- |
20 in total* |
|
Luderick (blackfish) |
27cm |
20 |
|
Mackerel (Spanish)
Mackerel (spotted) |
75cm
60cm |
5 in total* |
|
Marlin (striped, black and blue) |
- |
1 of each species |
|
Morwong (grey / rubberlip) |
30cm |
10 |
|
Morwong (jackass) |
30cm |
10 |
|
Morwong (red / sea carp) |
30cm |
5 |
|
Mullet: small poddy (under 15cm)
all others |
-
30cm sea (bully) only |
20 in total* (for live bait only)
20 in total* |
|
Pearl perch |
30cm |
5 |
|
Red rock cod |
- |
5 |
|
Sailfish |
- |
1 |
|
Samsonfish and amberjack |
- |
5 in total* |
|
Sharks and rays |
91cm school shark only. |
5 in total.* Only 1 tiger, mako, blue, hammerhead and whaler shark species. Zero bag limit applies to wobbegong. |
|
Spearfish |
- |
1 |
|
Swordfish |
- |
1 |
|
Trevallies |
30cm for silver trevally only. |
20 in total* |
Baitfish Bag Limits
|
A bag limit of 50 applies to each of the following baitfish: |
|
Australian anchovy |
Maray (or round herring) |
Southern herring |
|
Pilchard |
Slimy mackerel |
|
|
Blue sprat (or bluebait) |
Sandy sprat (or whitebait) |
|
|
A bag limit of 50 comprised of any single species or combination of species applies to the following baitfish: |
|
Garfish (other than eastern sea garfish) |
Jack mackerel and yellowtail |
Hardyhead and silverfish |
# the above baitfish bag limits do not apply to charter boat operators.
Invertebrate Bag Limits
|
Species |
Size Limits or Legal Length |
Bag Limit |
|
Saltwater pink nippers |
- |
100 in total* |
|
Soldier crab # |
- |
100 in total* |
|
Squid and cuttlefish |
- |
20 in total* |
|
Octopus |
- |
10 in total* |
|
Worms (other than beach worms) # |
- |
100 in total* |
# denotes bag limits which do not apply to charter boat operators.
* a bag limit comprised of any single species or a combination of listed grouped species.
Freshwater
Native fish
All changes are indicated in bold.
|
Species |
Fishing Closure |
Size Limit |
Bag Limit |
|
Australian bass and estuary perch |
Zero bag limit in rivers and estuaries from 1 June to 31 August each year |
Only 1 fish longer than 35cm in streams. |
*2 in total.
Only 1 fish longer than 35cm in streams. |
|
Catfish (freshwater or eel-tailed) |
Fishing prohibited in all western flowing streams and unlisted western dams |
30cm (in listed dams)
30cm (in all other waters) |
5 (in listed dams)
2 (in all other waters) |
|
Eel (long finned) |
- |
58cm |
10 in total |
|
Murray cod |
Zero bag limit September – November inclusive. |
From 1 December 2007 the minimum legal length will be increased to 55cm, followed by a further increase to 60cm on 1 December 2008 |
2. Only 1 over 100cm. |
|
River blackfish |
Fishing prohibited in all waters. |
0 |
0 |
|
Unlisted native species (except invertebrates) |
N/A |
N/A |
10 in total |
Invetebrates
|
Species |
Size Limits |
Bag Limit |
|
Eastern freshwater crayfish |
9cm carapace length. Only
1 specimen over 12cm |
Bag limit of 5 |
* a bag limit comprised of any single species or a combination of listed grouped species.
Fishing methods & closures
Line fishing
Unattended lines will no longer be permitted in any non-tidal waters in NSW. This means that you must not set a fishing line or leave it unattended. The number of attended lines permitted in all non-tidal waters (other than in some notified trout waters) will now be two. The distance a fisher may be from an attended line will be increased from 10 metres to 50 metres and within line of sight.
Fishing gear
A maximum set time of 24 hours will apply for all fishing gear (e.g. hoop nets, yabby traps). This means that fishing gear must be lifted at least once within a 24 hour period.
The prohibition on the use of gaffs to take trout will be extended to all freshwater species and waters. This means that a gaff cannot be used to take any fish in inland waters. A landing net is a suitable alternative for retrieving fish that have been legally caught.
Bag and possession limits
Previously, freshwater bag and possession limits only applied to fishers that were in, on or adjacent to waters. This will now be extended to include the transport and storage of freshwater fish to provide clarification and ease with compliance. This rule does not apply to the purchase of fish from a registered fish receiver (e.g. a fish shop).
Fishing closures
1. To protect breeding Eastern cod, fishing will be prohibited from 1 August to 31 October inclusive in the Mann River and its tributaries upstream of its junction with the Clarence River and including the Nymboida River and its tributaries from its junction with the Mann River upstream to Platypus Flat. This closure excludes notified trout waters.
2. Existing recreational fishing closures such as trap closures, net closures, dam / weir closures and species closures have been simplified and consolidated into one new Closure Notification. This will make it easier for fishers to find information on inland fishing closures and trout waters.
Trout fishing
Trout water categories
The number of trout water categories has been simplified, namely:
(1) Artificial ure and fly only waters - incorporating the former blue ribbon streams, catch and release streams, trophy trout dams and trout spawning streams.
(2) General trout waters - incorporating the former general trout streams and dams, where bait fishing is allowed.
The total fishing closures in three trout streams: Khancoban Creek, Wilde’s Meadow Creek and Tumbledown Creek will be removed. These streams will be managed as artificial fly and lure only waters.
Bag and size limits
A bag limit of 5 will continue to apply in general trout waters. A bag limit of 2 will apply in artificial fly and lure waters, except spawning streams (Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers from 1 May to the end of the June long weekend) where the bag limit is 1. In all other waters, the bag limit for trout and salmon will remain at 10 per day. Size limits for trout and salmon remain unchanged (25cm in all notified trout waters other than spawning streams, where the size limit is 50cm).
Fishing methods
One rod and line will be permitted in artificial lure and fly and lure waters and general trout streams. Two rods and lines are permitted in general trout dams. The current limit of 2 hooks per line will continue to apply in all notified trout waters except trout dams, where the number of hooks per line has been increased from 2 to 3 (where hooks are artificial lures or flies) to allow for loch style fishing.
Summary of new trout and salmon fishing rules
All changes are indicated in bold.
|
Waters |
Rods and Lines (attended) |
Hooks permitted |
Size Limit |
Bag Limit |
|
Artificial fly and lure streams |
1 |
up to 2 |
25cm |
*2 |
|
Trout spawning streams - (applies May to June only. Artificial fly and lure streams at all other times) |
1 |
up to 2 |
50cm |
*1 |
|
Artificial fly and lure dams |
1 |
up to 3 (being artificial flies or lures) |
25cm |
*2 |
|
General trout waters (streams) |
1 |
up to 2 |
25cm |
*5 |
|
General trout waters (dams) |
2 |
up to 2 (or up to 3 being artificial flies or lures) |
25cm |
*5 |
|
All other |
2 (hand lines permitted. General rules apply) |
up to 2 |
25cm |
*10 |
* a bag limit comprised of any single species or a combination of listed grouped species. The possession limit is equivalent to the twice the daily bag limit unless otherwise stated.
by NSW Government
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