Fishing for sharks and rays
Sharks and rays play an important role in our aquatic ecosystem. Treating them ethically and humanely is vital to their survival and conservation.
There are rules around the fishing gear you can use and how to handle sharks and rays, as they can become injured during capture and landing activities.
No take of endangered species
No take of endangered species
Combined bag limit of 1 and boat limit of 3
Combined bag limit of 1 and boat limit of 3
Combined bag limit of 2 and boat limit of 6
Combined bag limit of 2 and boat limit of 6
- Gummy Shark
- Port Jackson Shark
- Southern Eagle Ray
- Southern Fiddler Ray
- Western Shovelnose Ray
- Wobbegong – Cobbler, Banded, Spotted
- any other species of shark, ray, or skate that are not protected and do not have a bag limit of 1.
Maximum size limits
Maximum size limits
100 cm disc width applies for:
- Smooth Stingray
- Black Stingray
- Southern Eagle Ray.
80 cm total length applies for:
- Southern Fiddler Ray
- Western Shovelnose Ray.
It is an offence to fail to immediately return a fish, that is not of a noxious aquatic species, to the water with the least possible injury or damage, unless the fish is being lawfully retained.
Gear restrictions for 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.
Find out more about fishing for sharks and rays.
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]
Before fishing for sharks and rays make sure you have the necessary fishing gear, including:
- non-stainless steel circle hooks
- wire cutters
- suitable gloves
- soft knotless landing net.
Always consider both human safety on the vessel and the welfare of the shark or ray.
If you are not keeping a shark or ray for consumption, return it immediately to the water. These species will die a slow death when left on the jetty or shore. Release the shark or ray without landing it and whilst it is still in the water.
If the animal is hooked inside the mouth, cut the line as close as safely possible to the hook.
If you are keeping your catch, use a soft knotless landing net for small sharks and rays. Make sure it is killed humanely and as quickly as possible per the National code of practice for recreational fishing.
Safety considerations
Safety considerations
Remember the following to keep yourself safe and to minimise damage to sharks and rays:
- Never lift a shark or ray by its tail.
- Do not squeeze the gills as these are delicate structures that can easily be damaged.
- Place a large, soft, wet cloth over the eyes of the shark or ray to help calm the animal.
- Avoid placing sharks and rays on warm or dry surfaces. Do not expose them to the sun for extended periods.
- Resuscitate landed sharks and rays by running water across the gills. You can do this using saltwater deck washes, buckets, or by moving the animal slowly forwards in the water.
- 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.
- Reduce the chance of shark bites by keeping your hands behind the pectoral fins when handling.
For more information, download the Shark and ray fishing in SA brochure ()
