Rock whitefish is not commercially targeted and never appears in fish markets today. In the 1960s, the size limit was only 20 cm, probably because so few large fish could be landed on the aircraft of that time. Modern poles and lines changed all that, and the researchers realized that their previous estimate of maximum size of 4kg was about 100% too low. Fish weighing between 5 and 9 kg were suddenly landed. But what we didn`t know and only recently discovered was that these large fish of about 60 cm and more could be 45 years old. Even worse, it seems that females become sexually mature only between 39 and 42 cm. This makes the minimum size of 30 cm quite arbitrary and the limit of 10 fish high. So what do you do with rock whitefish? Increase the size limit to 42cm? Well, maybe not. The more you consider size and pocket restrictions as appropriate management tools, the more questions arise.
Consider two popular sport fish on the East Coast, the Luderick and the Rock Blackfish. They are close relatives, the two species of Girella, but their problems could not be more different. Nevertheless, recreation management measures in New South Wales are very similar. The Luderick has a pocket limit of 10 and a minimum size of 27 cm, while the Rock Blackfish has 10 and 30 cm. But that`s pretty much where the similarities end. Available for download as PDF www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xbcr/dpi/fishingsizebaglimits.pdf 1.5 m max or interdorsal length 60 cm max (round rays must only respect the maximum size limit of 1.5 m) Luderick has always been fished quite heavily both commercially and recreationally, mainly in New South Wales, but also a little in Queensland and Victoria. But from 2006 to 2016, it is estimated that recreational consumption dropped by 50%, probably because the fishing style (bait/swimmer) is old-fashioned among young anglers and is mostly run by veterans (like me) and ISO specialists. The creation of recreational fishing harbours and commercial acquisitions have also led to a sharp reduction in commercial landings. So there`s a lot of Luderick. They can live up to 24 years and reach 56 cm, reaching sexual maturity at 28-30 cm. Well, if the size restrictions are designed in such a way that 50% of females have a chance to breed at least once, NSW`s size limit is a bit low, Victoria`s 23cm is more than a little, and Queensland`s 30cm is about right.
Each state has a limit of 10 fish, although Queensland is more of a possession than a pocket. So for the two topics in this article, the solutions could be very different. For example, based on what we currently know about stock sustainability, Luderick might want to have a uniform Australian minimum size of 30cm, but increasing the pocket limit a bit would probably not be a threat. All tropical snapper and sea bass (including bass bassinet (snapper) (exceptions to follow) Catch limit: The maximum number of fish or invertebrates per person per day. For fish or invertebrates not listed in the tables below, a maximum of 20 pieces of baggage per day applies. Protected and endangered species cannot be eliminated. From October 2022, new rules will apply to Spanish mackerel fishing on the east coast of Spain. 10 total * Octopus cannot be taken from Ocean Rock platforms in New South Wales or Rock platforms in Sydney Harbour Sign up to receive the bi-weekly e-newsletter. Note: Becomes a no-take species when the total annual allowable commercial catch is reached – currently closed. ** No more than 10 shrimps with the head or other part removed, unless the removal was intended to process the shrimp for immediate consumption.
For black bass, where sustainability status is unknown or questionable, a limitation of niches to protect large breeders might be preferable. Let`s say keep 5 fish between 30 and 40cm? Otherwise, there is a chance that the rock blackfish will follow the path of its other girella cousin, the blue drum, which was once so common in New South Wales that Bluefish Point near Manly was named after it, but is now seen little other than on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Cribb Island worms – formerly known as bloodworms * Bag limit, consisting of a single species or a combination of listed clustered species.