Marine scalefish fishery
The commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) is a multi-species and multi-gear fishery. Commercial fishing can be undertaken for more than 60 species of scalefish using a range of gear types in South Australian coastal waters.
Marine scalefish species
There are over 60 species of marine scalefish taken commercially. The main species taken are:
- King George whiting
- Southern garfish
- Southern calamari.
Those species make up 60% of the total fishery production weight, and 70% of the total fishery value.
Not all species taken by this fishery are scalefish. Others include:
- squid
- worms
- sharks.
Only permitted species of scalefish may be taken by licenced commercial fishers in South Australia. The full list of permitted species, including families and classes of species, is in Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fisheries) Regulations 2017.
Fishery area
The Marine Scalefish Fishery operates in all coastal waters of South Australia between the Western Australian and Victorian border. For some species the Offshore Constitutional Settlement extends the fishery area out 200 nautical miles to the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone miles.
The fishing area includes gulfs, bays, and estuaries, excluding the Coorong.
Gear types
There are 21 gear types that can be registered on a marine scalefish fishery licence. Gear includes:
- hook and line
- longline
- haul nets
- mesh nets
- jigs.
Hand collection, handlines, rod and lines do not need registration.
Licensing
The Marine Scalefish Fishery is a limited entry fishery. There are no new licences available.
Expiry
Marine Scalefish Fishery licences are issued for the term of the 10-year management plan.
Fees
Commercial licence fees must be paid each financial year. Invoices are issued annually in early June and payments can be made:
- up-front
- in a lump sum
- in quarterly instalments.
Licence transfer
Marine scalefish licences can be transferred, subject to the licence amalgamation scheme. All licence transfers are governed by the Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fisheries) Regulations 2017.
Amalgamation
The licence amalgamation scheme reduces the number of licences, and therefore the maximum amount of fishing effort, within the fishery. The amalgamation scheme requires at least two licences to be joined together, with one of those licences being removed from the fishery as a consequence. Once a licence has amalgamated it can be freely transferred without having to be amalgamated with another licence, subject to all other conditions and regulations.
See the Application to transfer an MSF or Restricted Marine Scalefish Fishery (RMSF) licence form ( ) or the management plan for more information.
Boat registration and de-registration
All boats used for commercial fishing must be registered.
To register or de-register use the Application to vary a boat registration endorsement form ( ).
Master registration
Licence holders must be registered as the master of the licence. The Marine scalefish fishery is an owner operator fishery. There are exceptions listed below.
See the Application to change registration of a master – Marine Scalefish Fishery ( ) for more information.
Owner operator exceptions
- When a licence holder owns more than 1 licence and registers a master on a second licence. See the Application to change registration of a master – Marine Scalefish Fishery ( ).
- When a master is sand crab pot fishing only. See the Sand crab sector application to change registration of master ( ).
- When a master is ocean leather jacket trap fishing only. See the Sand crab sector application to change registration of master ( ).
- Where consent to use a replacement master has been provided. See the Replacement Masters Guidelines July 2021 ( ).
Licence holders must have all people who will act as a boat master registered and endorsed on their licence.
Quota trading
Licence holders can temporarily or permanently transfer their quota entitlements to another licence holder using the Quota Trading Service.
Marine scalefish fishery management
Management plan
- Management Plan for the South Australian Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery ( )
- 2024 ESD Risk Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery ( )
- Policy statement - Use of multiple licences from one registered boat in the Marine Scalefish Fishery ( )
Stock assessment reports:
- King George Whiting (Sillaginodes punctatus) Fishery. Stock Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture
( ) - Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2023–24. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture ( )
- Snapper fishery stock assessment and management
- Snapper fishery (Chrysophrys auratus) Stock Assessment Report 2022 ( )
- Summary of key results for snapper prior to the harmful algal bloom ( )
- Southern Garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir) Fishery. Stock Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture ( )
Economic indicator reports:
- South Australian Commercial Fisheries Reports by BDO Australia
Key Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) industry representatives and stakeholders, supported by PIRSA, have developed an industry-led Blueprint for the Future Directions of the Marine Scalefish Fishery ( ).
The South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (MSFMAC) provides advice to guide the management of the state's largest and most diverse shared-access fishery.
Determinations
Marine Scalefish Fishery:
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 29, 32, 32A, 32B and (RL) 25A, 25B, 25C - Providing Information on Quota Species ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 24, 25A, 25C and (RL) 21, 21A, 21C - Providing Information on Quota Species ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 30 – Catch and disposal, pipi ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 25 – Provide information, taking pipi ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 31 – Catch and disposal, blue crab ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 35 – Periodic returns ()
Miscellaneous fishery:
Electronic reporting
As of 1 July 2025, licences holders are required to submit their catch and disposal and catch and effort electronically through the Commercial Fishing SA application. Fishers can also access the myPIRSA portal and directly report their catch and disposal and catch and effort electronically into eCatch (Digital Reporting) service.
Department of Environment
The Australian Government Department of the Environment requires that all commercial fisheries that export product be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Product from the Marine Scalefish Fishery is currently approved for export.
For more information, see South Australian managed fisheries.
Rules and regulations
The fishery is licenced under the Fisheries Management Act 2007.
Fishing activities are regulated under the:
- Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fisheries) Regulations 2017
- Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2017.
See the Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery User Guide ( ) for more information on:
- permitted species
- size limits
- commercial limits
- gear rules
- closures
- licence transfers
- demerit points.
Species identification
Dusky Whaler vs. Bronze Whaler Shark identification guide ( )
Notices to commercial fishers
See the notices to commercial fishers
Contact
Yolande Markey – Fisheries Manager
Phone: (08) 8683 5315
Email: yolande.markey@sa.gov.au
Pat Tripodi – Executive Officer, Marine Fishers Association
Phone: 0429 000 282
Email: enquiries@mfasa.org.au
Ben Barnes – Chairperson, South Australian Professional Fishers Association
Phone: 0438 886 862
Email: sapfafishers@gmail.com