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 Fishery Reform
South Australia's commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery has undergone a substantial reform with the goal of strengthening the long-term financial and ecological sustainability of the industry. Major changes to the fishery were implemented on 1 July 2021. View details regarding the development of the reform and management changes.
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.
Marine Scalefish 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.
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.
Marine scalefish fishery management
Management plan:
- Notice of intention to prepare a management plan for the South Australian commercial marine scalefish fishery
() - Management plan for the South Australian commercial marine scalefish fishery () – published in 2013
- Ecologically Sustainable Development Risk Assessment Report ()
Stock assessment reports:
- Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2021–22. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture ()
- Snapper fishery research findings 2022
- Snapper fishery (Chrysophrys auratus) Stock Assessment Report 2022 ()
The South Australian Research and Development Institute undertake a range of other projects to support the management of the Marine Scalefish Fishery. See SARDI research reports.
Economic indicator reports:
Determinations
Marine Scalefish Fishery:
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 24 – Information to be provided, taking King George whiting ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 25 – Provide information, taking pipi ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulations 25A–C – Information to be provided, snapper, southern calamari, southern garfish ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 25A and 32 – Possession of snapper and catch and disposal, snapper closure area ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 29 – Record and provide information, deal with King George whiting ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 30 – Catch and disposal, pipi ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 31 – Catch and disposal, blue crab ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 32 – Record and provide information, deal with snapper ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 32A – Record and provide information, deal with southern calamari ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 32B – Record and provide information, deal with southern garfish ()
- Determination (MSF) Regulation 35 – Periodic returns ()
Miscellaneous fishery:
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.
See the Frequently Asked Questions () relating to new rules in the fishery (e.g. quota):
- CDR’s
- sale of fish
- reporting
- zones.
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: bencarfisheries@live.com.au