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Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) has written to the City of Whyalla to help spread the word on localised fishing closures to protect Snapper.
Recognising the importance of recreational fishing activity in the Whyalla region, PIRSA has advised that localised fishing closures are now in place in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent to protect important Snapper aggregation sites while stocks recover. Waters outside of the closures are open for Snapper fishing.
The new fishing closures in certain areas of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent came into effect on Saturday December 15, 2018 when the statewide snapper fishing closure ended.
The closures are part of a review of Snapper management arrangements by PIRSA and were agreed to at a joint meeting between the commercial, charter and recreational fishing sectors, and State Government, to manage our State’s iconic Snapper stocks and protect important Snapper spawning aggregations.
While anglers can still fish for Snapper outside the closure areas, fishers are encouraged to target a variety of other species in the gulfs including Tommy Ruff, Snook, Yellowfin Whiting, Silver Trevally, Western Australian Salmon, Flathead and Leather Jackets that all offer great eating and enjoyable catching experiences.
You can view full details of the changes, including maps, on the PIRSA website at www.pir.sa.gov.au/snapper
Spencer Gulf – fishing closures to protect snapper
From midday 15 December 2018 to midday 15 December 2019, 5 closures in Spencer Gulf will be in effect.
The 5 closures each cover a 4km radius, centred around their coordinates:
- Estelle Star: latitude 33° 58.900' S, longitude 136° 50.900' E
- Jurassic Park: latitude 33° 54.700' S , longitude 137° 19.100' E
- Santa Anna: latitude 33° 36.300' S, longitude 137° 36.300' E
- Illusion: latitude 33° 28.900' S, longitude 137° 32.600' E
- Port Lowly: latitude 33° 01.000' S, longitude 137° 48.300' E
Rules within the closure areas of Estelle Star, Jurassic Park, Santa Anna and Illusion:
- fishing for any species is prohibited.
- possession of snapper is prohibited. Do not carry snapper you have caught in other waters into these closure zones.
Rules within the Point Lowly closure:
- only snapper fishing is prohibited.
- other fishing activities are allowed.
- possession of snapper is allowed only to enable transit to the Point Lowly boat ramp.
Gulf St Vincent – Snapper fishing closures
From midday 15 December 2018 to midday 31 March 2019, 2 spatial closures in Gulf St Vincent will be in effect.
The 2 new closures each cover a 4km radius, centred around their coordinates:
- part of Tapley Shoals: latitude 35° 06.100' S, longitude 137° 56.200' E
- an area off Sellicks Beach: latitude 35° 19.900' S, longitude 138° 19.000' E
Rules within these closures:
- fishing for Snapper is prohibited.
- possession of Snapper is prohibited. Do not carry Snapper you have caught in other waters into these closure zones.
- other fishing activities are allowed.
