Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995

Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015

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

I, Eric Abetz, the Minister administering the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (the Act), hereby determine under rule 11(1) of the Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015 (the Rules):

  1. that the dates of the closed season for that part of the Scalefish Fishery for squid specified in schedule 1 are from:
  • 12:01 am 15 October 2024 to 11:59 pm 14 November 2024;
  • 12:01 am 15 October 2025 to 11:59 pm 14 November 2025;
  • 12:01 am 15 October 2026 to 11:59 pm 14 November 2026; and
  1. that the dates of the closed season for that part of the Scalefish Fishery for squid specified in schedule 2 are from:
  • 12:01 am 1 September 2024 to 11:59 pm 31 October 2024;
  • 12:01 am 1 September 2025 to 11:59 pm 31 October 2025;
  • 12:01 am 1 September 2026 to 11:59 pm 31 October 2026; and
  1. that the parts of the Scalefish Fishery for squid specified in schedules 1 and 2 are closed to, or in respect of, the activities specified in schedule 3.

SCHEDULE 1

All that part of the Scalefish Fishery for squid in State waters adjacent to the south east coast of Tasmania:

(a) bounded in the north by an imaginary line starting at the northern end of Marion Beach and then running due east along the line of latitude at 42°46’13”S to the limit of State waters; and

(b)  bounded in the west by an imaginary line starting at Whale Head and then running due south along the line of longitude at 146°52’15”E to the limit of State waters.

SCHEDULE 2

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

(a)   bounded in the west by 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

(b)  bounded in the north by the limit of State waters; and

(c)   bounded in the east by 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

  1. The take of all squid species, including southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis).
  2. The possession of squid jigs attached to a hand line or rod and line.

Dated at HOBART this 19th day of August 2024

Eric Abetz

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources

Information

(This information does not form part of the notice)

This closure applies to both non-commercial and commercial fishers on the south east and north coasts.

This closure is to safeguard the fishery and protect spawning adult calamari when they are most vulnerable. The closure applies to all squid species for the purpose of effective compliance.

It is prohibited to take squid (including calamari and Gould’s squid) in this area during the closure.

Squid jigs are not permitted to be attached to a line (hand line or rod and line) when in the closed area.

More details are available on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s website (www.fishing.tas.gov.au). Please contact the Marine Resources Wild Fisheries Management Branch on 03 6165 3000 if you require further information.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment - modified: 19 August 2024, expires: 15 November 2026