New Closures For Calamari, Garfish And Whiting From May 1
Fishing restrictions are tightening across South Australia’s gulfs from May 1, with new closures and limits now in place for several key species.
- Southern calamari TOTAL CLOSURE across both gulfs for commercial, recreational and charter fishing
- Garfish TOTAL CLOSURE to recreational, charter and commercial fishing in Gulf St Vincent
- King George whiting
– SPAWNING CLOSURE in Southern Yorke waters (pictured below) across both gulfs until July 31
– Recreational and charter fishing LIMITS RETURN for the remainder of Spencer Gulf on May 1 - Blue crab RESTRICTIONS LIFTED in Gulf St Vincent following improved stock levels
All other restrictions remain in place and will be reviewed quarterly.
The changes come as the algal bloom that impacted much of the state’s coastline continues to ease.
Conditions have improved, with most sites now recording low or zero levels of the algae, but the impact on fish stocks is still playing out.
Dead marine life washing up on beaches has dropped sharply, with clean-up crews now collecting less than 50 kilograms a week, down from more than 9,400 kilograms a week at the peak in December.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said while conditions are improving, recovery is still ongoing.
“It is pleasing that the vast majority of South Australia’s coastline has recorded zero or low levels of Karenia for the past three months,” he said.
“However, the possibility of future blooms cannot be discounted and we must remain vigilant.”
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said the decisions were based on updated stock assessments and industry input.
“While the latest water monitoring results give some cause for optimism, there is still much work to be done to ensure the long-term recovery of our marine environment,” she said.
Full details and updates to fishing rules can be accessed at the official PIRSA page.
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