Lakes and Coorong fishery
The Lakes and Coorong fishery is a multi-species and multi-method fishery.
The native species taken are:
- Black bream
- Golden perch
- Greenback flounder
- Mulloway
- Pipi (Goolwa cockle)
- Yellow-eye mullet
- Bony bream.
Exotic species are European carp and Redfin.
Licensing
There are currently no new licences available for commercial fishing in the Lakes and Coorong fishery.
Expiry
Lakes and Coorong fishery licences are issued for the term of the management plan. The current management plan is effective to 2027.
Fees
Commercial licence fees must be paid each financial year. Invoices are issued annually in June and payments can be made:
- up-front
- in a lump sum
- in quarterly instalments.
Licence transfer
Licences can be transferred from one person to another.
Use the application to transfer Lakes and Coorong Fishery licence form ().
Boat registration and de-registration
Every boat that is used for commercial fishing must be registered.
To register or de-register a boat use the application to vary a boat registration endorsement ()
Boat master registration
All people who act as a commercial fishing boat master must be registered by the license holder. Multiple boat masters can be registered using the same form.
Application to change registration of a masters ().
Quota trading
Licence holders can temporarily or permanently transfer their quota entitlements to another licence holder using the Quota Trading Service or by using the application to transfer Pipi quota units form ().
Lakes and Coorong fishery management
- Management Plan for the South Australian Commercial Lakes and Coorong Fishery – March 2022 ().
- Lakes and Coorong Fishery User Guide ()
Lakes and Coorong fishery area maps:
- Map 1 Coorong Area 1 (Murray Mouth – Pelican Point) ()
- Map 2 Coorong Area 1 (Goolwa Barrage – Murray Mouth) ()
- Map 3 Coorong Area 1 (Goolwa Channel Closures) ()
- Map 4 Coorong and Murray Mouth Closures ()
- Map 5 Lakes and Coorong Barrage Closures ()
Stock status reports:
- Assessment of the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery in 2022-23 ()
- Black Bream stock assessment report 2016 ()
- Coorong fish condition monitoring 2015-16 ()
- Golden Perch stock assessment report 2012 ()
- Greenback Flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) Stock Assessment Report 2014-15 ()
- Mulloway stock assessment report 2014 ()
- Pipi (Goolwa Cockle) stock assessment report 2016-17 ()
- Yelloweye mullet stock assessment report 2013 ()
Black Bream recovery strategy:
Economic indicator reports:
Econsearch also created a Fishery Gross Margin modelling framework to help with the harvesting strategy in the Lakes and Coorong Pipi fishery:
Determinations
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 Lakes and Coorong Fishery is currently approved for export.
For more information, see South Australian managed fisheries.
Marine Stewardship Council
The Lakes and Coorong Fishery is active in promoting improved environmental practices in the fishery including receiving in June 2008 third party accreditation for the fishery’s operation under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment framework.
Regulations
Fishing activities in the Lakes and Coorong Fishery are regulated under the:
- Fisheries Management (Lakes and Coorong Fishery) Regulations 2024
- Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2017.
Commercial fishing zones
Lakes and Coorong commercial fishing zones map ()
Closures
See fishing closures in South Australian waters.
South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP)
The Pipi fishery is monitored by the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program to provide public health protection for consumers of South Australian shellfish.
See the current SASQAP harvesting areas.
Contact
Sam Stone – Manager, Community Fisheries
Phone: (08) 8429 2101
Email: sam.stone@sa.gov.au
