Fish processors have a duty to check for undersize fish as soon as possible after the consignment is received.
If an undersized fish is found, a written record detailing the species and quantity must be kept. The fish must be rendered unsuitable for sale and then disposed of appropriately.
Minimum and maximum legal size limits for some fish species are in place to allow fish to:
- reach maturity
- complete their breeding cycle
- contribute to sustainable fish stocks.
Commercial fishing size limits
Any species that is not listed below does not have a size limit.
Blacklip Abalone
Measured across the widest part of shell / meat weight.
- Southern Zone – Spatially managed areas, please consult local Fisheries Officers.
- All other waters – 13 cm / 113 gm
Black Bream
- 30 cm
Blue Morwong
- 38 cm
Blue Swimmer Crab
Measured across the carapace from the base of the largest spines.
- 11 cm
Bugs (Ibacus spp)
Measured at widest part of the carapace.
- 10.2 cm
Flathead
- 30 cm
Flounder
- 25 cm
Garfish
Measured from upper jaw to the tip of the tail.
- 25 cm
Giant Crab
Measured from top to bottom of the carapace.
- 15 cm
Greenlip Abalone
Measured across the widest part of shell / meat weight.
- Western Zone – 14.5cm / 140 gm
- All other waters – 13 cm / 113 gm
Gummy Shark
Measured from the 5th gill slit to the base of the tail.
- 45 cm
King George Whiting
- East of longitude 136° - 32 cm
- West of longitude 136° - 30 cm
Mullet
- 21cm
Mulloway
- Coorong – 46 cm
- All other waters – 82 cm
Pipi (Goolwa Cockle)
Measured at the widest part of the shell.
- 3.5 cm
Redfish, Bight Redfish and Swallowtail
- 30 cm
Samsonfish
- 88 cm
Sand Crab
Measured at widest part of the carapace.
- 10 cm
Scallop
- 6.5 cm
Salmon
- 21 cm
School Shark
Measured from the 5th gill slit to the base of the tail.
- 45 cm
Silver Trevally
- 24 cm
Snapper
Juvenile
Female
Male
- 38 cm
Snook
- 41 cm
Southern Rock Lobster
Measured along the middle and on the top of the carapace (the main body shell) from the front edge of the groove between the antennae (frontal tubercule) to the rear edge of the carapace (but not including any hairs attached to the carapace). The measuring device used must be able to fit firmly into the groove between the antennae.
- Southern Zone - 9.85 cm
- Northern Zone – 10.5 cm
Sweep
- 24 cm
Vongole (Mud Cockle)
Measured at the widest part of the shell.
- Coffin Bay (Yellows and Whites only) - 3.5 cm
- All other species / waters - 3.0 cm
Wrasse
Female
Male
Excludes Western Blue Groper which cannot be taken.
- 25 cm
Yellowfin Whiting
- 24 cm
Yellowtail Kingfish
- All other waters - 60 cm
- Spencer Gulf - 45 cm