NSW DPI has revealed that it is undertaking community consultation on proposed changes to recreational fishing rules for dusky flathead.
The proposed changes for recreational fishers includes the introduction of a slot limit of 36 centimetres – 70 centimetres (previously only 1 over 70 centimetres) and a reduction of the bag limit from 10 to 5 per person.
Similar slot limits for dusky flathead have been widely accepted in Queensland and Victoria where their current slot limits have been in place since 2009 and 2012, respectively.
It is not proposed for the new slot size limit to apply to commercial fishing activity. This is due to the small amount of commercial landings of 70+ centimetre fish and to avoid any wasteful discarding of dusky flathead that are caught in commercial fishing operations.
from 2007/08 to 2016/17 – landings of 70+ centimetre fish are minimal.
Fisheries says the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council, which provides advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW on recreational fishing matters, developed the proposal and supported community consultation being undertaken.
Fisheries is encouraging all recreational fishers and the community to have their say.
Please read the short consultation paper on the proposed changes prior to completing the online submission form.
Submissions close 26 November 2021.
