South-east sand flathead fishery to close

The Sand Flathead recreational fishing zone in southeastern waters will close from March 1 due to critically low stock levels, and it is likely to remain closed for years.

This is despite Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce saying the closure is a temporary measure.

The south-eastern zone covers waters between Whale Head and Cape Pillar.

It is unclear how long exactly the fishery will be closed for, with information on the Fishing Tasmania website saying it “will reopen when data indicate that the size and structure of the sand flathead population in the area can sustainably support fishing again”.

“We are prioritising the speed of recovery,” Fishing Tasmania said.

“Rebuilding a fishery is a naturally slow process.

“Sand flathead need time to breed and grow large to rebuild the stock, which may take many years.

“Our aim is for our actions now to help the fishery recover in a number of years and not decades.

“The closure, combined with the stock enhancement program, is the fastest foreseeable way for all of us to return to fishing.”

Mr Pearce said the closure follows research from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), which found critically low Sand Flathead stock levels in south-eastern waters.

“The science is clear, and we must listen to it,” he said.

“We want to see our future generations fishing for Sand Flathead, and that’s why we are implementing a temporary closure of the South East Sand Flathead zone.

“While this will be tough for some, I believe our recreational fishers will understand why this decision has been made.”

It is also now a requirement in other fisheries for all species of flathead to be landed whole or as fillets accompanied by intact frames, including a head and tail attached.

The state government has invested $1.2 million for IMAS to conduct a Sand Flathead stock enhancement program in the South East.

“This program, paired with the zone closure, will accelerate the rebuilding of the fishery,” Mr Pearce said.

“We want to see our future generations fishing for Sand Flathead, and that’s why we have acted.

“It is this important work that will determine when the South East zone reopens.”

Labor primary industries spokeswoman Janie Finlay said mismanagement by the government was the cause of the fishery closure.

“As the Primary Industries and Water Minister in 2015, Premier Rockliff was made aware of the critically depleting sand flathead stocks based on the science presented to him by (IMAS),” Ms Finlay said.

“Instead of following IMAS advice – and information provided to him by the government’s own recreational and scalefish advisory committees – Premier Rockliff ignored the recommendations to put more stringent measures in place to preserve the stocks.

“The government has also been missing in action since, with Flathead for the Future recovery program funded in 2022 resulting in no tangible improvements to the stocks.

“Like usual, the Liberals kicked the can down the road, and as a result a favourite past time has been taken away from Tasmanians, with no certainty about when they’ll be able to fish for sand-flathead again.”