A recent study in Victoria has suggested the high quality of snapper fishing on offer in Port Phillip Bay will continue into the future.
Information from Victorian Fisheries monitoring and research conducted in 2009 and 2010 has pointed to another very good snapper season in the popular Melbourne waterway. This year’s catch of large snapper, known by some as “big reds”, is likely to be dominated by 10-year-old fish originating from the successful spawning in 2000-01.
Strong year classes spawned in 2003-04 and 2004-05 are expected to provide excellent catches of smaller snapper this season and reliable catches of larger snapper over the next few years. However, catches of small snapper, known as “pinkies”, are expected to moderate slightly over the next few years due to smaller spawnings since 2005.
Port Phillip Bay anglers are encouraged to comply with the minimum legal length of 28cm and the daily bag limit of 10 snapper, of which only three may equal or exceed 40cm. Fishers should also only take what they need for personal use and are reminded that it is illegal for them to sell or trade their catch.
Anglers found exceeding their catch limits or selling their catch face significant penalties. Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing, including multi-tripping, can report vehicle and vessel details to Fisheries Victoria’s 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (133 474).
