Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995

Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015

NOTICE OF THE DATES OF THE CLOSED SEASON FOR PART OF THE SCALEFISH FISHERY AND NOTICE OF SCALEFISH FISHERY CLOSURE TO SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

I, Dr David Midson, General Manager (Marine Resources) in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, acting pursuant to a delegation from the Minister administering the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995, hereby determine under rule 11 of the Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015 (the Rules):

A.  That the dates of the closed season for that part of the Scalefish fishery for garfish (family Hemiramphidae) specified in schedule 1 are from:

  • 15 November 2025 to 14 December 2025 inclusive;
  • 15 November 2026 to 14 December 2026 inclusive;
  • 15 November 2027 to 14 December 2027 inclusive; and

B.  That the dates of the closed season for that part of the Scalefish fishery for garfish (family Hemiramphidae) specified in schedule 2 are from:

  • 15 January 2026 to 14 February 2026 inclusive;
  • 15 January 2027 to 14 February 2027 inclusive;
  • 15 January 2028 to 14 February 2028 inclusive; and

C.  That the parts of the Scalefish fishery specified in schedule 1 and schedule 2 are closed to, or in respect of, the activities specified in schedule 3.

SCHEDULE 1

All that part of the Scalefish Fishery in State waters adjacent to the east, west and south coasts of Tasmania south of:

  1. in the west, an imaginary line starting at Cape Grim and then running due west       along the line of latitude at 40°40’S to the limit of State waters; and
  2. in the east, an imaginary line starting at Cape Naturaliste and then running due east along the line of latitude at 40°50’S to the limit of State waters.

SCHEDULE 2

All that part of the Scalefish Fishery in State waters adjacent to the north coast of Tasmania and in Bass Strait north of:

  1. in the west, an imaginary line starting at Cape Grim and then running due west       along the line of latitude at 40°40’S to the limit of State waters; and
  2. in the east, an imaginary line starting at Cape Naturaliste and then running due east along the line of latitude at 40°50’S to the limit of State waters.

SCHEDULE 3

The take or possession of all species of garfish (family Hemiramphidae).

All coordinates of latitude and longitude specified in this notice are to be determined by reference to the Geocentric Datum of Australia (also known as "the GDA" or "GDA94") as defined in the Commonwealth Gazette No. GN 35, 6 September 1995.

Any expression used in this public notice having a particular meaning under the Act or the Rules has the same meaning in this public notice as it has in the Act or the Rules.

Dated at HOBART this 25th day of AUGUST 2025.

Dr David Midson

GENERAL MANAGER (MARINE RESOURCES)

INFORMATION

(This information does not form part of the notice)

This closure applies to both non-commercial and commercial fishers.

These closures aim to restrain catch and limit disturbance during part of the peak spawning activity to support rebuilding of southern garfish stocks.

No person may take or be in possession of any species of garfish of the family Hemiramphidae in State waters during the closed period. The closure applies to all garfish species for effective compliance purposes.

Please contact the Wild Fisheries Management Branch on (03) 6165 3000 if you require further information.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment - modified: 10 September 2025, expires: 15 February 2028