On 28 September 2019, the Minister for Primary Industries and
Regional Development announced a full ban on snapper fishing in the
Spencer Gulf, West Coast and Gulf St Vincent until 31 January 2023.
The move effects all commercial, charter and recreational fishers.
Once the ban comes into place, commercial and recreational fishers
in the South East may continue to take snapper, subject to the
usual seasonal bans (November-January each year) and a new total
allowable catch limit.
How can the Government do this?
As at the time of writing, the Government has taken no
regulatory action to implement the proposed ban. However,
information provided by PIRSA as part of the announcement states
that 'initially the changes will be implemented through a
Notice issued under section 79 of the Fisheries Management Act
2007...until other regulations are implemented.'
