The increase in the size limit, which is expected to be supported by the majority of conservation-minded fishermen, was officially announced today in Sydney by Katrina Hodgkinson, New South Wales Minister for Department and Primary Industries, and Dr Geoff Allan, Executive Director of Fisheries NSW. Under the new Mulloway rules in New South Wales, commercial fishermen must also meet the minimum height of 70 cm, although mesh net fishermen still allow a bycatch of 10 fish between 45 and 70 cm in length and a limit of 500 kg for holders of a commercial shipping visa. However, these trade restrictions do not appear to apply to large concentrations of spawning fish, as the property limit of 500 kg per owner applies. When a team of friendly people working together all own Ocean Hauling, the total catch multiplies. Recreational fishermen visiting the northwest sometimes mistake a black Jewish fish for a mullway, which is mainly caught in southwest WA. Given that Mulloway females are only known to reach sexual maturity with a length of at least 70 cm, increasing the minimum size is clearly a logical step to support the long-term viability of this important species. This means that a minimum height of 70cm for Mulloway, also known as Jewish fish, applies to all anglers. 1.5 m max or interdorsal length 60 cm max (round beams must only meet the maximum size limit of 1.5 m) Our Northern Fishery and Marine Officers have recently reported a number of false identities and advise that it is important to learn how to distinguish Mulloway from the Black Jewish fish (Northern Mulloway), as they have different minimum size restrictions. “The most important thing we can do is change the size limit. This is going to help the fish spawn, so we`re bringing that to 70cm,” Dr.
Allan said. The annual catch limit for the East Coast has been reached. The black Jewish fish is a species prohibited from fishing on the East Coast for all anglers for the remainder of the 2022 calendar year. DPI says the new regulations follow extensive community consultations and submissions to last year`s discussion paper, which showed strong public support for a minimum height of 70 cm and a reduced catch limit. If you fish north of Exmouth Gulf and catch one of these fish, it will almost certainly be a black Jewish fish, meaning you can only legally keep it if it measures at least 700mm from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. Fishermen should release undersized fish immediately and with minimal injuries. You can also download our sport fishing guide in booklet format or the A4 printable version. In a statement released as part of today`s announcement, DPI says it is allowing commercial bycatch of Mulloway because “some catches of Mulloway below the new legal size in mesh nets are inevitable. The need to dispose of small quantities of accidentally caught Mulloway that is already dead or in poor condition when brought to the boat will not benefit the stock and is a waste of the resource. “Although these species may seem similar, the tail is the key to identification. The back edge of a Mulloway tail is straight, while the black Jewish fish tail bursts in the middle, giving the tail a diamond-like shape. The minimum legal size for Mulloway is 500 mm, while the legal minimum size for black Jewish fish is 700 mm as they mature more slowly than Mulloway.
“The new rules do not include a total ban on deportation. A complete ban would have led to faster recovery, but it was deemed preferable to balance the recovery rate with the impact on recreational and commercial fishers,” Hodgkinson said. Prior to today`s announcement, Dr Geoff Allan said Fisheries NSW had received about 500 “fairly comprehensive submissions” asking for everything from a total moratorium on the species to a complete ban on the sale of Mulloway. The men borrowed a comrade`s boat to fish offshore and were arrested near Kissing Point. Most of the fish were hidden under the bottom of the boat. “For stocks to recover, the review recommended that more action be taken. From October 2022, new rules will apply to Spanish mackerel fishing on the east coast of Spain. Note: Becomes a no-take species when the total annual allowable commercial catch is reached – currently closed.
10 total * Octopus cannot be taken from rock shelves in New South Wales or from rock shelves in Sydney Mullet Harbour (except diamond scales, sea and freshwater). “Despite the efforts of fishermen, a recent scientific study has shown that Mulloway is still overexploited. Two men from Dee Why, found in possession of a commercial quantity of 17 noble fish weighing 75.96 kilos, 13 blue-eyed trevilla weighing 165.21 kilos and 4 mirror doris weighing 10.76 kilos, left the boat they were borrowing confiscated from the State. “The goal of this restoration program is to support species sustainability, which will help ensure high-quality recreational fisheries and long-term viable commercial fisheries,” said Mr. Hodgkinson. It is important that all fisheries sectors play a role in these new provisions to ensure a rapid recovery of the population. Monitoring of Mulloway`s commercial landings will continue to measure the impact of the new rules on catches and commercial stocks. New research programmes, such as the National Recreational Fisheries Catch Survey, will be implemented alongside the new rules to improve information on recreational fisheries. “This recovery program will be reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness in building inventories and will be necessary until the Mulloway stock reaches sustainable levels,” said Hodgkinson. The new rules will come into effect on November 1.
