August 2004: NEW WHITING FISHERY RESTRICTIONS

The State’s peak industry body for recreational boating, representing over 50 000 boaties, the Boating Industry Association of SA (BIASA) with representatives of its national bodies today finalised their consultations with the South Australian Recreational Fishing Advisory Council (SARFAC), with its 300 000 anglers, the peak industry body representing the interests of the recreational fishing industry in South Australia and concluded their meetings with other respected industry bodies within the tourism and recreational sectors in South Australia in respect to the new King George Whiting Fishery Restrictions, proposed by the present Labor Government.

After consultation and discussion the key industry groups:

“In consideration of the substantial negative economic impact, of at least $35 million annually, that would be delivered to the tourism and leisure sectors of all South Australian coastal regional communities”

Unanimously agreed to

‘Reject, outright, the government’s new recreational whiting fishery regulations”

And proposed the following position, to protect and enhance whiting stocks and to protect and enhance South Australian regional economies:

That the minimum size limit of whiting be increased to 32cms statewide (for the purpose of allowing female fish to reach sexual maturity in line with recognised/published Sexual Maturity Policy for King George Whiting).

That the minimum size limit of whiting be further increased in incremental stages over the next several years following monitoring, evaluation and biological assessment of the effects of the new 32cms size limit.

That the personal bag limit of whiting be fixed at 15 fish per person.

That the boat limit of whiting be fixed at 45 fish when three or more persons are on board.

That the 75 whiting per person restriction currently deemed as a “commercial quantity” be changed to a “possession limit outside a person’s principle place of residence” but with no reduction in the number of fish.

That the mesh size of commercial nets be increased to allow for the escapement of whiting below the 32cms minimum size limit.

That commercial net fishing is prohibited in Gulf St Vincent.

That the government provide PIRSA with the appropriate funding and human resources to enforce the abovementioned proposals and existing regulations.

We seek your assistance to correct the policy issues delivered by the Government and to assist this office to manage a large convoy of recreational craft through the streets of Adelaide in mid September.