Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
South Australia may ease snapper fishing ban from July
South Australia closed its snapper fishery in 2019 after stocks fell to a critical level.
Research now estimates stocks have recovered above 20 per cent in the West Coast, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.
The ban was due to end this year, but the government extended it for 12 months because the effects of a harmful algal bloom were unknown.
Summer checks will determine whether easing can start in July; stocks must remain above 20 per cent and younger fish must be joining the population.
Under the rebuilding plan, commercial and charter fishers would report all snapper caught, while recreational fishers would report only fish they keep.
Fishers have raised concerns about data and past management, even as some say snapper numbers have increased.
The government is reviewing whether to buy back licences from marine scale fishers, but no decision has been made on licence changes.
South Australia may begin easing its snapper fishing ban from July if summer assessments show stocks have recovered sufficiently.
The ban was imposed in 2019 after snapper stocks fell to a critical level.
Research indicates stocks have recovered to more than 20 per cent on the West Coast, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.
The ban’s planned lifting was delayed by 12 months because of uncertainty about the effects of a harmful algal bloom.
A proposed rebuilding plan would introduce catch quotas and reporting requirements, while some fishers question whether the fishery is being properly monitored and managed.
- Who
- South Australia’s government is considering easing the ban; fishers and researchers have commented on the fishery’s recovery and management.
- What
- The government may begin easing the snapper fishing ban, subject to stock assessments and sufficient recruitment of younger fish.
- When
- From July, if the required conditions are met. The article does not specify the year.
- Where
- South Australia, including the West Coast, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.
- Why
- Snapper stocks fell to a critical level, prompting the 2019 closure. The proposed reopening depends on evidence of recovery.
Fishers hopeful about reopening
Fishers concerned about monitoring and management
Reopening
Fishers hopeful about reopening
Some fishers are hopeful the ban will be lifted, and tackle shop owner Alicia Bolitho said customers believe snapper levels have increased greatly.
Fishers concerned about monitoring and management
Charter fisher Ryan Valente said limited data collection left him with little confidence in the available data.
Management
Fishers hopeful about reopening
South Australian Research and Development Institute research indicates stocks have recovered to more than 20 per cent in three regions.
Fishers concerned about monitoring and management
Commercial fisher Hugh Bayly said the fishery had been mismanaged and could be mismanaged again.
The snapper fishery was closed after stocks fell to a critical level.
The ban was due to be lifted but was extended by 12 months because of uncertainty about a harmful algal bloom’s effects.
Stock assessments are due to check whether snapper biomass exceeds 20 per cent and whether enough younger fish are being recruited.
The government will start easing the ban if the assessment conditions are met.
- Closure
- 2019
- Stock recovery threshold
- More than 20 per cent
- Regions with reported recovery
- West Coast, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent
- Proposed catch rules
- Quota for fishers; catch reporting requirements
- Recreational reporting
- Fishers would report catch they keep, not catch they discard
What people are saying
We are seeing signs of recovery, which is really, really positive,
There's snapper riddled through that entire area and the level of data collection that goes on out there is extremely limited, so it just leaves me with very little confidence in the data that they're getting,
Obviously we need to work with the government to ensure we keep the fishery sustainable,
The snapper had to be closed because it was in a really bad state from overfishing from both sectors, and mismanagement from PIRSA and SARDI not getting a handle on it anywhere near early enough,