Recreational Marine Fishing News — Talking Flathead

RECREATIONAL SEA FISHERIES NEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Lets Talk Flathead

What’s happening with flathead stocks?

Flathead is the backbone of the Tasmanian recreational fishery accounting for 70% of all recreational fish caught each year. Most of the 100,000 or so people who go fishing in Tasmania started out catching a flattie as their first fish.

The latest survey showed that recreational fishers keep over 700,000 flathead every year, the majority of which is sand flathead. In recent years, many fishers have been experiencing declining catches.

The relative recreational catch of the main flathead species and their stock status was reported in the latest IMAS Scalefish Fishery Assessment:

96% are sand flathead: Stock status = Depleting

3% are tiger flathead: Stock status = Sustainable Why are sand flathead stocks declining?

While tiger flathead stocks are assessed as sustainable, unfortunately sand flathead are assessed as depleting.

The relatively easy catchability of sand flathead in inshore waters and an increasing number of fishers are putting stocks are under immense fishing pressure. Over 50% of flathead are caught in the south-east.

The lower bag limit and increased size limit introduced in 2015 has reduced the rate of stock decline. Fishing pressure remains high however, particularly on faster-growing females.

We are working with IMAS to gather more information including applying for funding to improve stock monitoring and review whether environmental changes are influencing flathead biology in combination with current fishing levels.

What can recreational fishers do?

• Only take what you need for a feed • NEVER use undersize flathead for bait. • Release small flathead so they survive - use a dehooker or wet hands. • Target other species. Instead of sand flathead, try for tiger flathead in deeper water. Target species such as gurnard, Australian salmon and mullet. Challenge yourself and spend time catching a new species such as yellowtail kingfish or snapper. • Spread out your fishing activities. Fish away from popular areas.

Remember, sand flathead are mainly caught by recreational fishers. If you look after them, recreational fishers benefit.

The breakdown of the total commercial catch of flathead in state waters out to three nautical miles offshore is: • Sand flathead – 2% of total catch (or 4 tonnes); and • Tiger flathead – 28% of total catch (or 16 tonnes).

Catch figures are from IMAS 2018-19 Scalefish Report.

Tiger flathead are also taken by Commonwealth Danish seiners in Commonwealth waters (generally more than three nautical miles offshore) adjacent to Tasmania’s east coast. In recent years this has been an average of around 170 tonnes.

How are flathead caught commercially?

They are mainly taken by Danish seining. This gear catches by encircling a net and herding fish, not dragging heavy gear across the sea floor. A small amount is taken by hook and line.

Two to three Danish seine vessels operate in Tasmanian waters between 1 - 3 nautical miles offshore, mainly in the south east. They target school whiting and tiger flathead.

There are no trawlers in Tasmania. Trawling was banned in 2001. Danish seine fishing is not trawl fishing - see how it works at: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/ danish-seine

The breakdown of the total commercial catch of flathead in state waters out to three nautical miles offshore is: • Sand flathead – 2% of total catch (or 4 tonnes); and • Tiger flathead – 28% of total catch (or 16 tonnes). Catch figures are from IMAS 201819 Scalefish Report. Tiger flathead are also taken by Commonwealth Danish seiners in Commonwealth waters (generally more than three nautical miles offshore) adjacent to Tasmania’s east coast. In recent years this has been an average of around 170 tonnes.

Where do Danish seiners operate?

Danish seiners cannot fish within one nautical mile of the coast or in Great Oyster Bay, Mercury Passage, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, River Derwent** and Anderson Bay at Bridport.

Commonwealth vessels can only operate outside Tasmanian scalefish waters – generally three nautical miles off the coast. All Commonwealth vessels are monitored by vessel monitoring systems (VMS). **Except whiting fishing in a small area just inside the mouth of the Derwent.

As we did last year, Fishcare is conducting a Summer Fishing Program in January and February with free fishing clinics for individuals and groups around the state. It’s a great activity to keep the kids busy at the end of the holidays before school goes back. Rods and gear are available to use. The aims of the program are: • To impart basic fishing skills including casting, knot tying and rigging to children and new fishers. • To teach responsible fishing practices such as measuring, handling and releasing your catch. • To promote recreational fishing as a fun outdoors activity.

Keep an eye out for dates and details coming to our Summer Fishing webpage at:

Danish seiners cannot fish within one nautical mile of the coast or in Great Oyster Bay, Mercury Passage, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, River Derwent** and Anderson Bay at Bridport.

Commonwealth vessels can only operate outside Tasmanian scalefish waters – generally three nautical miles off the coast. All Commonwealth vessels are monitored by vessel monitoring systems (VMS). **Except whiting fishing in a small area just inside the mouth of the Derwent.

Summer Fishing Clinics

Free fishing clinics are here again as we approach summer, some are public clinics and others are preorganised with Fishcare by schools and community groups.

www.fishing.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/ community-resources/fishcare-tasmania/summerfishing-program. You may also be interested in helping out at one of our summer clinics. Fishcare often need extra assistance and it’s a great way to see whether you’d enjoy joining us as a longer-term volunteer.

If you’re from a community group, contact one of our Coordinators to enquire about organising a clinic at email fishcare@dpipwe.tas.gov.au or ring 6165 3039.

Need more information? • Get a copy of the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide from Service Tasmania • Download the Tasmanian Sea Fishing Guide app • Go to www.fishing.tas.gov.au or www.facebook. com/FisheriesTasmania • Phone: 1300 720 647 or 03 6165 3233 • Email: fishing.enquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

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