THE Tasmanian Government has announced a sand flathead closure for recreational anglers in South-Eastern waters from 1 March 2026.
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, said this is a tough decision to make, but it is the right one.
“The science is clear, and we must listen to it,” Minister Pearce said.
“We want to see our future generations fishing for Sand Flathead, and that’s why we are implementing a temporary closure of the South East Sand Flathead zone.
“While this will be tough for some, I believe our recreational fishers will understand why this decision has been made.”
In a statement on its website, TARFish, the Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing, said it acknowledges and accepts that there are issues with sand flathead stocks, however it doesn’t there is an “emergency” that requires an immediate fishery closure in the south east
“What we have right now isn’t a review, it’s a fishery recovery experiment at our expense cooked up in secret based on flawed information,” said a spokesperson from TARFish.
“This decision requires the closest scrutiny by us as recreational fishers, a fully independent review of the current sampling program and assessment approach, and for the Government to deliver on the commitments it made to us less than a year ago.”
For all other Tasmanian waters, all species of flathead will be required to be landed whole, or as fillets accompanied by intact frames including a head and tail attached.
Minister Gavin Pearce said the temporary closure of the South East recreational fishing zone will allow for the new IMAS-led stock enhancement program to take effect.
“Our Government has invested $1.2 million for IMAS to conduct a Sand Flathead stock enhancement program in the South East – an essential part of getting Sand Flathead levels back to what they once were,” Minister Pearce said.
“This program, paired with the zone closure, will accelerate the rebuilding of the fishery, he said.
More information available at www.fishing.tas.gov.au
