AS of next month, anglers targeting mulloway in NSW will be restricted to a two-fish bag limit with a 70cm minimum size – a significant increase from the current 45cm minimum size for the popular sportfish.
The increased size limit which is expected to have the support of the majority of conservation-minded anglers, was officially announced today in Sydney by NSW Department & Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson and Executive Director Fisheries NSW Dr Geoff Allan.
Under the new mulloway rules in NSW, commercial fishers will also have to abide by the 70cm minimum size limit, although mesh netters will still be permitted a by-catch allowance of 10 fish between 45 to 70cm in length and a 500kg limit for commercial Ocean Hauling endorsement holders. These commercial restrictions though don’t appear to address the targeting of large aggregations of spawning fish, as the 500kg possession limit applies per endorsement holder; if a team of netters working together are all Ocean Hauling endorsement holders, the total catch multiplies.
In a statement released as part of today’s announcement, DPI says it is allowing commercial by-catch of mulloway as “some catches of mulloway below the new legal size is inevitable in mesh nets. Requiring small amounts of incidentally caught mulloway to be discarded which are already dead or in poor condition when brought to the boat will not benefit the stock and is a waste of the resource.”
DPI says the new regulations follow extensive community consultation and submissions to last year’s discussion paper which had showed strong public support for a 70cm minimum size and reduced bag limit.
“Mulloway stocks across NSW are currently assessed as being overfished and a recovery program is required to assist with rebuilding the population,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“The new rules, for commercial and recreational fishing sectors, are based on scientific advice and information sourced from extensive consultation with the fishing community.”
While there had been a push for a moritorium on mulloway fishing to help stocks recover, the Minister says that wasn’t a realistic option.
“The new rules do not include a total ban on take. A total ban would have driven a faster recovery, however, it was considered preferable to balance the rate of recovery with the impacts on recreational and commercial fishers,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
In the lead-up to today’s announcement, Dr Geoff Allan said Fisheries NSW had received around 500 “pretty comprehensive submissions” that had pushed for everything from a total moratorium on the species to a complete ban on the sale of mulloway.
“The most important thing we can do is to change the size limit … this is what is going to help allow fish to spawn, so we’re lifting that to 70cms,” Dr Allan said.
With female mulloway known to not reach sexual maturity until at least 70cm in length, upping the minimum size is clearly a logical step for helping the longterm viability of this important species.
“The objective of this recovery program is to assist the sustainability of the species which will in turn contribute towards ensuring quality recreational fishing and long-term viable commercial fishing,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“It is important that all fishing sectors play a role in these new arrangements to ensure the population has a rapid recovery.
“Monitoring of commercial landings of mulloway will continue to measure the impact of the new arrangements on commercial catches and stock levels.
“New research programs, such as the state-wide recreational fishing catch survey, will be implemented in conjunction with the new rules to improve information on the recreational catch.
“This recovery program will be kept under regular review to ensure its effectiveness in building stock levels and will be required until the mulloway stock reaches a sustainable level,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
The new rules will be implemented on November 1. Dr Allan told Fisho that he expects there will be a “grace period” until anglers become accustomed to the new laws.
Executive Director NSW Fisheries Dr Geoff Allan (right) and Peter Turnell, Director Recreational and Indigenous Fisheries at today’s announcement in the Sydney CBD.
For more information contact the local fisheries office or visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/sw-species/mulloway/rules
Stay tuned to Fisho for detailed analysis on the new mulloway regulations.