My big catch

South Australian Government bans snapper fishing

THE South Australian Government has announced a state-wide snapper ban running from November 1 this year until 2023, excluding south-eastern waters over winter.

The South Australian Government is concerned after recent data revealed the fish population had been decimated.

With stocks in the Gulf of St Vincent decreasing by as much as 23 per cent, while in the Spencer Gulf, stocks have declined by 87 per cent and are already considered to be depleted, which means the snapper population is not able to replenish itself.

South Australian Minister Tim Whetstone said there was a possibility that a limited season could be opened in the south-east.

However, he said if urgent steps were not taken now, this iconic species could vanish from South Australian waters altogether.

“It will show us that if we can put full closure of water in South Australia in place, we can protect one of the iconic species here in our waters”

The state’s commercial catch fell from a peak of 1,035 tonnes in 2010 to 339 tonnes in 2017, according to the department.

About 62 per cent of snapper caught in the state are snagged by commercial fishers, and the rest by recreational fishers.

What does this mean for Victoria fisheries and our snapper catches? Well, only time will tell. Without the pressure of commercial fisherman in South Australia waters on snapper, it is possible that this could certainly help our own snapper fisheries

The new snapper management measures will be effective from 12.01am on November 1.

The following fishing limits are in place until midnight on October 31:

• Minimum legal length – 38 cm
• A daily boat limit applies when three or more people on board: snapper 38 to 60 cm – 15; snapper over 60 cm – 6
• Personal daily bag limit: snapper 38 to 60 cm – 5; snapper over 60 cm – 2

I would also like to remind everyone also to keep those photos coming in of your big catch.

Photos: Please forward them to the email address below, with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch. Email photos to [email protected].

Also, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity at any time, phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

 

Fishing Reports

 

Anglesea:

• Some good reports of salmon being caught off local beaches
• Reports of a few pinkies when fishers mange to get out
• The same applies to flathead being caught offshore
• A few whiting are being caught but in general they are scarce

Thanks to the Rusty Angling Club Anglesea   

 

Barwon Heads

• Still seeing a few snapper and pinkies offshore
• An occasional gummy catch is also being reported
• Offshore, when fishers do get out, there are reports of a few flathead catches
• A few reports from the river of a few whiting, trevally, and salmon
• Salmon continue to be caught off most local beaches

 

Torquay

• Reports of a few King George whiting being caught in close
• When people can get out, reports of a few pinkies and snapper continue offshore
• Reports of a few flathead are still being received as above
• Salmon are still being caught off local beaches
• Spring Creek still providing some bream

Thanks to the Torquay Angling Club

 

Queenscliff:

• St Leonards reports pretty are still much the same: King George whiting, flathead and squid are being caught
• Clifton Springs is still seeing reports of a few whiting, flathead and some calamari
• Reports from Corio Bay are seeing a number of sand whiting being caught
• Queenscliff has some whiting, flathead, and pinkies being reported
• The Creek reports a few trevally
• Swan Bay has a few Calamari and Whiting are being caught
• Point Lonsdale reports a few Trevally and Salmon being caught off the pier
• The White Lady continues to still produce a few Whiting and Calamari
• Indented Head report a few Flathead, King George Whiting and Calamari

 

Club Corner

 

Leopold Snapper Competition

Where: Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club, 711-729 Portarlington Road, Leopold

When: 5am October 12 to 5am October 13.

Prizes: Biggest Snapper – Male, Female, Junior (16 years and under). Fishing gear to the value of $200 in all divisions

Entrance fees: Free for adult and junior members, $15 for adult non-member, $15 for junior non-members $15

Registration: Closes at 7pm on October 11 at the Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club clubhouse

Contact: Leopold Angling & Aquatic Club – phone 0400 105 365, email [email protected]

Remember – if you are a angling club and you wish to let people know what’s going on within your club as well as help promote your club, just email [email protected] and we will post your club news here.