RECREATIONAL SEA FISHERIES NEWS

Flathead Fishery Update

Flathead are the most popular recreational fisheries species, accounting for 70% of Tasmanian recreational fish catches each year. In fact, around 98% of the statewide sand flathead harvest is by recreational fishers. However, many fishers are noticing that it’s harder to catch a legal-size sand flathead, particularly around the southeast and east coasts. These observations indicate a fisheries stock under increasing pressure and are reflected in ongoing scientific monitoring by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The IMAS assessment is based on fishery independent sampling and analysing many thousands of sand flathead from many locations around Tasmania.

The status of the fishery

The most recent Scalefish Assessment Report (2020-2021) from IMAS has classified the sand flathead as depleted, with fishery biomass down to 17% in some regions. This is below the internationally recognised level of 20% of unfished biomass that normally triggers urgent management action to rebuild the fishery.

From concerns about the health of the fishery, IMAS commenced a project to monitor it in 2012. Since then, the number of legal-size sand flathead and the average size of sand flathead has continued to decrease. This is because so many fish are being removed soon after reaching legal size. In some areas, around 70% of fish are caught within a year of reaching legal size. Large breeding females are depleted in most areas and are not being replenished.

These trends are the result of unsustainable fishing pressure, particularly from recreational fishers who catch around 98% of the overall statewide catch. As and added concern, there is evidence that fishing is driving a selection pressure on the sand flathead population. Because smaller and slower growing fish tend to mature earlier than larger, faster growing fish, they get more chances to breed before reaching legal size. Over time, this forces the evolution of smaller, slow-growing flathead. Compared with larger flathead, these fish produce a lot less eggs and their offspring tend to have a reduced chance of survival

Size limit changes and a bag limit reduction in 2015 resulted in a slight improvement in some areas. However, this was not enough to stabilise the sand flathead fishery which is facing prolonged and unsustainable fishing pressure.

The IMAS has assessed the sand flathead fishery as depleted. It is worthwhile noting that Tiger Flathead which are found in more deeper waters are sustainable.

What are we doing about this?

The Flathead for the Future program is now underway to help recover sand flathead stocks. As part of the program, NRE Tas representatives will be out and about in the community to educate fishers about sustainable and responsible fishing. NRE Tas are also hosting a series of interactive events to promote sustainable flathead fishing, including Flathead Discovery Days. So keep an eye out on the fishing.tas.gov. au/flathead web page for an event near you.

Tiger flathead

Stock status = Sustainable

Scan the QR code for more flathead information.

• Flathead Discovery Days - talk flathead science with DR FLATHEAD test your flathead species ID skills on real fish, see dissections, upskill your fish handling and filleting techniques, learn how to fish for and cook other tasty species, and see flathead in their underwater environment. Suitable for all ages and fishing abilities.

• Fishing Clinics - learn how to fish for, identify and handle flathead responsibly.

• Community Patrols - talk to our team at your local boat ramp or jetty and share your experience of flathead fishing in Tasmania.

What can fishers do to help flathead stocks recover?

Other than complying with bag and size limits, there are many ways recreational fishers can fish more responsibly and limit their impact on flathead stocks. These include:

• Only taking what you need for a feed –limit your catch, don’t catch your limit.

• Never retain undersized flathead – not even for bait.

• Using a de-hooker or wet hands when releasing fish to increase the survival rate of released fish