Fishing for sharks and rays
Sharks and rays play an important role in our aquatic ecosystem.
The ethical and humane treatment of sharks and rays is vital to their survival and conservation.
Sharks and rays are vulnerable to injuries during capture and landing fishing activities. Sharks and rays die slow death when left on the jetty or shore.
If you are keeping fish, make sure they are killed:
- humanely
- as quickly as possible
- following the national code of practice for recreational fishing.
If you are not keeping a shark or ray for consumption, return it immediately to the water.
Gear restrictions
Metropolitan shark fishing
Daily fishing gear restrictions
Daily restrictions apply from 5 am to 9 pm from the southernmost breakwater at Outer Harbor to Lady Bay Shacks, south of Normanville, from Mean High Water Springs to a distance of 500 metres seaward.
During these times you cannot use:
- any wire trace
- a monofilament trace exceeding 1 mm in diameter
- hooks with a length greater than 56 mm or a gape greater than 23 mm
- combination or gang of hooks joined by threading the point of one through the eye of another.
View the restriction area on the map ().
Statewide restrictions on hook size and trace size
At all other times and anywhere in South Australia you cannot use the following gear together:
- wire trace with a gauge of 2 mm or greater
- fishing hooks of size 12/0 or greater.
Handling procedures for sharks and rays video transcript
[Music]
[Voiceover]
Sharks and rays play important roles in marine ecosystems.
The ethical and humane treatment of sharks and rays is vital to their survival and conservation.
All sharks or rays not caught for consumption should be immediately returned to the water. An easy handling guide applies.
[Dr. Paul Rogers, PIRSA]
When catch-and-release fishing for sharks and rays, it's important to consider human safety is a key priority. Some of these animals are potentially dangerous.
[Voiceover]
When catch and release fishing human safety and the welfare of the animal must be considered carefully.
If possible, release the shark or ray while it is still in the water and cut the line as close as possible to the hook.
Never lift a shark or a by its tail. The venom in a raised barb is toxic.
Use a soft, knotless net for landing small sharks and rays.
A large wet cloth over the eyes of a landed shark or ray will keep them cool and calm.
Do not expose them to sun for long periods.
Resuscitate the animal by running salt water across the gills, or if a shark is still in the water move it backwards and forwards.
Release the shark or ray unharmed back into the water as soon as possible.
[Dr. Paul Rogers]
Fish sharks and rays are really important marine resources and they're critical to the health of our marine ecosystems. We all need to play a role to ensure we have fish sharks and rays in the future.
[Voiceover]
To find out more visit the PIRSA website.
[Music]
Follow the guidance below to safely catch, handle and release sharks and rays:
- Always consider both human safety on the vessel and the welfare of the shark or ray.
- Have all the necessary fishing gear before you start fishing.
- Release the shark or ray without landing it and whilst it is still in the water.
- Use a soft knotless landing net to land small sharks and rays.
- If the shark or ray is hooked inside the mouth, cut the line as close as safely possible to the hook and release it immediately.
- Never lift a shark or ray by its tail.
- Do not squeeze the gills as these are delicate structures that can easily be damaged.
- Large rays can use their tail and barbs to strike around their own head. Do not enter the radius of a tail length during handling and release.
- Do not touch rays on the tail as the venom in the barbs is toxic and can cause painful injuries.
- Avoid placing sharks and rays on warm or dry surfaces. Do not expose them to the sun for extended periods.
- Place a large, soft, wet cloth over the eyes of the shark or ray. This helps calm the animal and keeps you safe.
- Resuscitate landed sharks and rays by running water across the gills. You can do this using salt water deck washes, buckets, or by moving the animal slowly forwards in the water.
- Reduce the chance of shark bites by keeping your hands behind the pectoral fins when handling.
- Release the shark or ray back into the water as soon as possible.
For more information download the Sharks and Rays handling procedure brochure ()
Identifying sharks and rays
In South Australia, there are around 65 different species of sharks and rays.
Some species of sharks and rays have daily fishing limits.
White Sharks are protected at all times in South Australia.
