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Description of recreational fisheries by State and Territory
- Introduction
- Tasmania
- Queensland
- South Australia
- New South Wales
- Western Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory
- Victoria
- Recreational fishing interactions with Commonwealth-managed fisheries
Introduction
Under the Australian Constitution, jurisdiction over Australia’s fisheries resources involves a complex mix of Commonwealth and State/Territory responsibility. A package of uniform Commonwealth and State laws known as the Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) provides a basis for the Commonwealth and the States/Territories to agree on management of particular fisheries under a single law, either Commonwealth or State/Territory, or under Commonwealth law by a joint authority comprising the Commonwealth and State/Territory Minister(s) concerned. However, other fisheries continue to require collaborative management among these governments. State/Territory governments manage freshwater fisheries, aquaculture and recreational fisheries.
The map illustrates that Australia provides a diverse range of recreational fishing experiences. A wide variety of species is available in Australia's many marine and freshwater habitats, as is evident from the following brief overview of State/Territory recreational fishery components.
Queensland
Sunshine, surf, sand, blue
sky—and always the chance
of a fish
(Photo: Albert Caton)
The Queensland region provides numerous fish habitats ranging from estuaries and beaches, to rocky reefs, coral reefs, islands, shallow gulfs and bays, and deep oceanic waters. There are also many freshwater inland rivers and impoundments. These habitats exist in both tropical and subtropical regions. Rivers of the Queensland tropics have high, wet-season, rainfall-driven flows that lead to periodic flood conditions in many northern rivers. The estuaries and rivers of Queensland have varying levels of tidal flows at different regions along the coast, further diversifying the habitat conditions.
In keeping with this broad range of habitat types, recreational fishing in Queensland is particularly diverse, covering a large number of species distributed over a wide geographical area. In addition, unlike other states with large coastlines, Queensland has a number of large regional centres that provide access to a large proportion of the available fishing area. Barramundi fishing is popular in the Gulf of Carpentaria and in rivers of the northeastern coast. There is a multi-species Great Barrier Reef fishery, where coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), sweetlip emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) and red emperor (Lutjanus sebae) are among the most targeted species. Deep-water game fishing is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with the use of charter boats, for highly prized fish such as blue and black marlin (Makaira mazara and M. indica respectively), and for other billfish and tunas (for example yellowfin tuna; Thunnus albacares). Cairns is the base for the major fishery but activities are also expanding in more southern regions. Recreational fishing is especially prolific in the shoreline/inshore and estuarine regions, where the most-targeted species are tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix), bream (Acanthopagrus spp.), whiting (Sillago spp.), flathead (Platycephalus spp.) and mackerels (Scomberomorus spp.). Mud crabs (Scylla serrata) are often sought in the mangrove areas of estuaries and sand crabs are targeted extensively in the bay and coastal areas. Increased stocking of a number of impoundments has developed a growing recreational fishery in these areas. The main freshwater species targeted are yellowbelly (golden perch; Macquaria ambigua), Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), barramundi, Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), sooty grunter (Hephaestus fuliginosus) and saratoga (Scleropages leichardti).
Recreational fishing has always been popular in Queensland and continues to be an iconic activity of the Queensland way of life. It is a key tourist attraction for the State and provides significant tourism related revenue for many regional centres. Management measures, such as stocking of impoundments and the imposition of bag limits, size limits, and some area and seasonal closures, have been implemented to ensure the recreational fishery is sustainable and will continue to be an important component of the Queensland fishery. At present, permits are only required in a limited number of stocked dams, where revenue generated from permit sales is used to fund the purchase native fish fingerlings.
State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
New South Wales
Recreational fishing covers
a wide range of pastimes,
yabbie trapping included
(Photo: Albert Caton)
New South Wales has cool high country and warm interior freshwater systems; a narrow continental shelf; and a coastline typically interspersed with rocky headlands, beaches and estuary systems. Six main recreational fishery components are recognised, namely freshwater; estuarine and coastal; diving; sportfish; charter boat; and gamefish.
A general recreational fishing licence covering both salt and freshwater was introduced in March 2001 to replace the New South Wales freshwater angling licence. Licence fees go into a trust dedicated to improving recreational fishing for New South Wales anglers. An angler expenditure committee made up of recreational fishers and major recreational fishing organisations oversees the trust.
The freshwater fishery targets a number of species using lures and baits in rivers and reservoirs. The fishery may be subdivided into eastern, western and alpine regions. Depending upon the region, the main species caught include Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and yabbies (Cherax destructor). In the late 1990s there were about 140 000 anglers with licences for this fishery.
The estuarine fishery is a multi-gear and multi-species fishery. The prominent species caught include bream (Acanthopagrus australis), flathead (Platycephalus fuscus), whiting (Sillago ciliata), luderick (Girella tricuspidata), tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix), mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) and various baitfish. Fishing effort is high and it is estimated that more than 250 000 anglers take part. In addition, estuaries are utilised by many other users; hence, the allocation of resources is topical in these ecosystems.
The diving fishery harvests a number of species mainly by hand or spear in coastal marine waters, often near rocky headlands. Species harvested include red morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus), rock blackfish (Girella elevata.), leatherjackets (Monacanthidae), luderick, abalone (Haliotis rubra), rock lobster (Jasus verreauxi) and other shellfish.
Setting up for an attack on bream
(Photo: Albert Caton)
The sportfish fishery is a multi-gear fishery operating from the shore and in inshore areas. Species targeted include tunas (Thunnidae), mackerels (Scombridae), kingfish (Seriola lalandi), flathead, snapper (Pagrus auratus), trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex), morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus), leatherjackets and various baitfish. Because of its proximity to densely populated areas and its inexpensiveness, the sportfish fishery is estimated to cater to over 150 000 anglers and catch in excess of 1000 t of fish per annum.
The charter boat fishery cuts across the different habitats described previously (i.e. freshwater-offshore), with species caught varying accordingly. The fishery mainly involves the hire/charter of a professional guide who enhances fishing opportunities for less skilled fishers. There are in excess of 200 charter vessels operating along the NSW coast and the industry has the capacity to expand rapidly.
The gamefish fishery occurs mainly in deeper waters adjacent to the edge of the continental shelf, where billfish (black, blue and striped marlin), tuna (albacore, yellowfin, striped) and sharks (whalers, mako, blue) are target species. Gamefishing has a strong and well-organised club component and fishing activities under the auspices of angling clubs involve an increasing emphasis on the tagging and release of caught fish, rather than their retention.
Recreational fishing in NSW is managed by catch controls (bag and size limits), restrictions on the type of gear (no fish traps or nets), closed areas and seasons and protected species. In 2002, 30 areas within estuaries were designated as recreational fishing havens, waters where no commercial fishing is allowed. Funds from recreational fishing fees were used to buy out commercial fishing licences operating in these locations. A range of additional activities is conducted to enhance recreational fishing including fish stock enhancement programs, fishing clinics and habitat conservation. Government and industry communicate and consult through meetings of statutory advisory councils, regional groups and angling associations.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory offers a mix of cool, high-country- as well as lowland-freshwater angling. Angling licences are not required, but gear restrictions, bag limits seasonal and area closures apply. Seasonal closures are to protect Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) when spawning. Freshwater anglers pursue golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), Murray cod, carp (Cyprinus carpio), redfin (Perca fluviatilis), rainbow trout and brown trout in season. Closed waters help to protect threatened species, and the taking of trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis), Macquarie perch (Macquaria macquariensis), silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus), two-spined blackfish (Gadopsis bispinosus) and Murray River crayfish (Eustacus armatus) is prohibited. Australian Capital Territory residents enjoy ready access to river and small stream angling. They also have access to urban lakes and impoundments that are stocked with native species on a regular basis. Many anglers travel to adjacent New South Wales or Victorian freshwater or beach/estuary areas.
Victoria
Kids like fishing—especially
from a wharf, where there are
always interesting things
(Photo: Albert Caton)
Victoria’s recreational fishing opportunities are diverse, covering rivers and freshwater lakes; estuaries; inlets; bays; and beach fishing. Most of the offshore region is represented by the relatively shallow submerged land bridge that once connected Tasmania to the mainland (Bass Strait). Reasonably accessible waters beyond the continental shelf—‘oceanic’ waters that are the realm of larger gamefish like tunas and billfish—are restricted to an exposed section of the western coast and a similarly short stretch off the eastern coast where sheltered ports or launching areas are sparse.
Licences are required both for freshwater and marine angling. In marine and estuarine waters, sand flathead, black bream and Australian salmon (Arripis trutta; ‘bay trout’ when small) are generally the most widely fished species. King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) and garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir) are eagerly sought in Port Phillip Bay, Westernport and Corner Inlet. Snapper is a very popular angling species in Port Phillip Bay and on inshore reefs off eastern Victoria. Jigging for squid (southern calamary; Sepioteuthis australis) is popular from jetties. Gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus) are fished from surf beaches and boats. Divers take abalone, and pot fishers take rock lobster (Jasus edwardsi), along sections of the rocky coast more exposed to wave action.
In inland waters, prime target species are brown and rainbow trout, yabbies and redfin. There are stocked fisheries for golden perch in Lake Mokoan and for Murray cod in Lake Hume. In the western half of the State, freshwater fishing occurs in lakes and impoundments that are stocked with salmonids (trout and Chinook salmon—Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), Murray cod and golden perch.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
Tasmania
Dinner won't be long
(Photo: Albert Caton)
Tasmania is characterised by an exposed and rugged southwestern marine sector and a more hospitable north-eastern sector, especially the waters of southern Bass Strait. Cool temperate rivers, natural lakes and impoundments are prolific on the island.
Sea fishing is a popular annual pastime for about a quarter of Tasmania’s population. Species that are targeted in estuaries and along the shore include flathead, silver trevally, yellow-eye mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri), black bream, flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) and Australian salmon. In reef areas or further offshore, popular fish species are bastard trumpeter (Latridopsis forsteri), striped trumpeter (Latris lineata), blue warehou (Seriolella brama), blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica), tuna and sharks.
In addition to the use of lines, anglers may use nets (gillnets and beach seines), and may also target rock lobster with pots and rings. Diving for rock lobster and abalone is also popular. Marine angling licences are not required for line and hook fishers; however, input controls are used—size restrictions, gear restrictions, area closures and the prohibition of the taking of certain species. Licences are necessary for high-value species (for example abalone, rock lobsters, and scallops (Pecten fumatus) and for the recreational use of nets. As well as releasing a code of conduct for sea fishing, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water is working in collaboration with the community to develop recreational-fishery components, as appropriate, in rock lobster, scale-fish and abalone management plans.
Tasmania’s freshwater recreational fisheries are primarily centred on salmonids, which were first introduced in 1864. They are well established throughout the State, and provide prime angling in habitats including wilderness areas, wild rivers, small streams, natural lakes, reservoirs and farm impoundments. Recreational fishing for whitebait (Lovettia sealii; Galaxias spp.) in northern estuaries was popular historically but was prohibited in the 1970s when stocks collapsed. An Inland Fisheries Licence is required for freshwater fishing.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
South Australia
Anticipation increases at
sunset on a surf beach
(Photo: Albert Caton)
In South Australia, King George whiting is the single most important target species of recreational fishers, comprising almost one-third of total boat catches in the State. The species is pursued with zeal from a flotilla of small craft, particularly in the calm waters of Gulf St Vincent—especially around the Adelaide metropolitan area— and Spencer Gulf, but also in the several, large, sheltered bays along the west coast of the State. Other major target species of the boat sector are snapper and garfish. Jetty and shore fishers by contrast rely more heavily on the migrating schools of Tommy ruff (Arripis georgianus), yellow-eye mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) and the western species of Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea). Diving for abalone and rock lobster is popular, and the unique, warm, sheltered waters at the tops of the gulfs form ideal habitat for ‘crabbing’ for blue swimmer crabs (Portunus pelagicus). ‘Dabbing’ for garfish at night and squid ‘jigging’ are other major features of this fishery. ‘Big game’ angling for record-size great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in the Streaky Bay area of the west coast was popular in the mid twentieth century, with specimens over a tonne taken. However, its take is now prohibited. The increased presence of southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) at Port Lincoln in southern Spencer Gulf, accompanying the establishment of ‘tuna ranching’ operations there, has provided a popular angling opportunity.
Trout have been introduced to several streams in the Adelaide region and provide limited angling opportunities, but the major freshwater resource in the State is the Murray River. While golden perch, and Murray cod were popular, their availability declined. Modification to water flows to provide irrigation supplies and for flood mitigation has had a negative impact on native fish breeding patterns, which are linked to flood cycles. This has been exacerbated by the spread of European carp, which seem to have acclimatised well under the modified river flow and impoundment conditions, causing greater habitat modification and displacing native species.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
Western Australia
Grey days are fine for a bit of solitude
(Photo: Albert Caton)
Western Australian coastal waters span tropical to temperate latitudes and provide a wide range of target species. This large area has been divided up into four broad marine bio-geographic regions—the Kimberley/Pilbara; Gascoyne; West Coast; and South Coast—and two inland fishing regions, located in the northwest and southwest of the State respectively. Management strategies are being developed, with extensive consultation with the community. Western Australia was the first state to introduce a saltwater recreational fishing licence—for gill net fishing and the taking of rock lobster. An annual recreational fishing licence is now also mandatory for abalone and marron, and for freshwater angling in the southwest. Licence revenue is placed in a recreational fishing trust account and used for recreational fisheries management.
The major finfish species taken include Australian herring (Arripis georgianus), tailor, whiting, mackerel, barramundi and various reef fish including Westralian dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum) and baldchin groper (Choerodon rubescens). Considerable effort is also directed each year at crustaceans and molluscs such as blue swimmer crabs (‘blue manna crabs’ locally), prawns, rock lobsters, marron (Cherax tenuimanus) and abalone. Trout, which have been introduced in the southwest, provide inland angling opportunities and there are important barramundi-fishing opportunities in inland creek and river systems in the Kimberley.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
Northern Territory
An angler returns at dusk
after a day's fishing
(Photo: Albert Caton)
Barramundi fishing is the most popular angling pursuit in the Northern Territory and draws anglers from interstate and overseas. The species is widely regarded as one of Australia's premier native sportfish and is pursued throughout the many waterways of the Top End and Gulf region from coastal waters to the uppermost permanent waters of inland rivers. Barramundi are caught mainly from small boats, either using lures or by trolling depending on the season. Mud crabs are another highly prized recreational species and in response to this a number of heavily fished areas near Darwin have been declared open exclusively for the use of recreational crabbers.
Reef fishing is also very popular in Top End waters. Species include golden snapper, saddletail snapper, red-finned emperor, red emperor, estuarine rock-cod, coral trout, moonfish, mangrove jack, bream and black jewfish. The most popular reef fish is the golden snapper. Gamefishers catch queenfish, Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna, giant trevally, threadfin salmon and barracuda in coastal waters. There is an increasing recreational black marlin fishery off northeastern Arnhem Land and in the western Gulf of Carpentaria.
Click here for links to the web sites of State/Territory fisheries agencies.
Click here for statistics from the 2001 National Recreational Fishing Survey.
Recreational fishing interactions with Commonwealth-managed fisheries
Management responsibility for recreational fisheries rests with each State or Territory. However, there are Commonwealth-managed fisheries that interact with recreational fisheries or that have recreational components. The table below provides a brief overview on a fishery-by-fishery basis.
| Commonwealth Fishery | Recreational Interaction |
|---|---|
| Northern Prawn | Anglers fishing in Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory or northern Western Australian waters target sharks and other species that are represented in the prawn fishery bycatch, some in considerable quantities. There could also be interaction with indigenous fishery catches. Trawling may impact fish habitat relied on by many fish species. |
| Torres Strait Prawn | There is no recreational component in this fishery. Fishing by island communities tends to be a subsistence activity. Many species targeted by subsistence fishers are also trawl bycatch. |
| Torres Strait Lobster | There is no recreational component in this fishery. Fishing by island communities tends to be a subsistence activity. Many species targeted by subsistence fishers are also trawl bycatch. |
| Eastern Tuna and Billfish | A major recreational fishery is based on stocks fished commercially within and beyond the Australian Fishing Zone. The world-renowned Cairns black marlin season is popular with private and charter boat gamefishers. Sailfish and smaller black marlin are targets in the Cape Bowling Green area. Black marlin, striped marlin and blue marlin are targets further south, along with tunas such as yellowfin and skipjack, and commercial bycatch species like sailfish, mahi mahi and wahoo. Albacore, sharks and southern bluefin tuna catches are represented in catches in the cooler areas off southern New South Wales and northeastern Tasmania. Recreational fishing is popular in many areas beyond the AFZ, tagged fish movements of some species indicating that these wider Pacific activities target representatives from the same stocks. There is also competition off New South Wales for baitfish such as yellowtail scad and blue mackerel, between anglers on the one hand, and commercial longliners and purse seiners on the other. |
| Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark | |
| Commonwealth Trawl and Gillnet Hook and Trap Sectors | Many line-caught species taken by anglers around southeastern Australia are represented in trawl, Danish seine, line and gillnet operations of the SEF. Common or popular species in the angling catch are flathead, jackass morwong, redfish, ling, John dory, ocean perch and silver trevally. Trawl bycatch species like jack mackerel and leatherjacket are also taken. |
| Southern Shark Sector | Anglers target school and gummy shark along eastern Victorian surf beaches, and there are catches of them more broadly around southeastern Australia, especially incidental catches of juveniles from pupping and nursery areas. |
| Great Australian Bight Trawl | Most boat anglers in South Australia concentrate on King George whiting in the Gulfs and West Coast bays; however, some venture offshore when weather permits to target snapper and larger whiting. Then, they may occasionally take species such as Bight redfish and leatherjacket that are represented as targets or bycatch in the GABTF catch. |
| Southern Squid Jig | The recreational squid catch consists mostly of southern calamary that are targeted in inshore areas. Arrow squid are also taken as a bycatch of line fishing. |
| Southern Bluefin Tuna |
Southern bluefin tuna occurred seasonally off southern New South Wales and were fished by anglers between Sydney and Eden. Regular annual appearances ceased in the mid 1980s and occurrences are now spasmodic and sparse. Nevertheless, when showings occur, anglers take catches on shelf grounds. Trolling for southern bluefin tuna has been a popular angling activity in the Eaglehawk Neck area off eastern Tasmania, and despite seasons when abundance was poor, persists. Similarly, southern bluefin tuna are caught by trolling in deeper shelf waters off western Victoria and South Australia. Anglers also fish for southern bluefin tuna in the vicinity of the tuna pens around Boston Island off Port Lincoln. Like the aquaculture operations, the recreational catches of southern bluefin tuna have been State-managed. |
| Western Tuna and Billfish | As is the case in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, the species taken in the longline fishery off Western Australia—especially sailfish and black marlin in the Exmouth Gulf area and blue marlin off Fremantle—are also popular with game anglers, albeit with less intense levels of effort. |
| Heard Island and McDonald Islands | There is no recreational fishery component to activities off Heard Island and Macdonald Islands. |
| Northern Finfish Trawl | Tropical snappers and other shelf finfish targeted by this fishery are part of stocks that also support some recreational angling activities around northern Australia. |
| Northern Shark | Mackerels and sharks targeted by this fishery are part of stocks that also support some recreational angling activities around northern Australia. |
| Western Australian Southern Demersal Gillnet and Longline | This fishery targets sharks but takes a range of bycatch species, such as blue groper and even Australian salmon and tailor, which are popular among Western Australian line anglers. |
| The small-scale and artisanal fisheries of Torres Strait | There is potential for tourists/anglers reef-browsing or angling in the Torres Strait area to take species that also support indigenous/commercial fishery catches. Furthermore, Spanish mackerel stocks extend into more southern regions where they support commercial and recreational activities. |
| Coral Sea | The wide range of species involved in this fishery provides considerable scope for interaction with recreational angling or collection activities. Aquarium species and reef angling species are the primary targets of both components. In addition, some of the smaller pelagic species may be common to both. |
| Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop | Recreational fishing/diving activities do not extend to interact with Central Bass Strait beds. |
| Small Pelagic | Recreational catches of jack mackerel and blue mackerel are common around southern New South Wales and eastern Tasmania, some of them taken for bait. |
| South Tasman Rise Trawl | There is no recreational fishery component to South Tasman Rise activities. |
| Macquarie Island | There is no recreational fishery component to activities off Macquarie Island. |
| Western Deepwater Trawl | Some recreational species with distribution extending to the shelf break may be represented to a limited degree in trawl catches, but the interaction is probably minimal. |
| North West Slope Trawl | The species taken are not recreational species, and it is unlikely that any interaction occurs. |
| Norfolk Island | The handline and troll fishing subsistence/charter activities overlap with tourist angling activities. |
| Christmas Island | The limited commercial operations merge with subsistence and tourist angling activities. |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | The limited commercial operations merge with subsistence and tourist angling activities for lagoon and reef species. |
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