The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has invited recreational fishing people to have a say on fishing in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS).
The Department said temporary measures had been put in place to strike a balance between recreational fishing in the sanctuary and protection of the dolphins while the new public consultation is collated.
“The Port River and Barker Inlet region, and wider ADS region, is a popular recreational fishing area that is readily accessed by land and boat,” the Department said.
“A temporary 4-month arrangement will be in place under Section 79 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 that will require recreational fishers to bring in their hand line, rod and line, or teaser line, if they are within 50 metres of a visible dolphin within the sanctuary,” it said.
“This reasonable approach reflects the concerns for dolphins in the ADS, particularly during the coming months where larger recreationally targeted species such as Kingfish and Mulloway may be present.”
It said the arrangement ensured recreational fishers had access to the waters as they do now, with a greater awareness regarding the Port River dolphins.
It said that following a review and initial consultation with stakeholders, a discussion paper has been released to explore the suitability of recreational fishing in the area.
“The options being considered may assist in mitigating dolphin interactions with recreational fishing gear and baits in the ADS,” PIRSA said.
“These options include: No change to recreational fishing regulations but a targeted education and awareness initiative be undertaken; Spatial restrictions on the use of heavy fishing gear; and Spatial and temporal restrictions on the use of heavy fishing gear for recreational fishing in the ADS,” it said.
“Public consultation will be open for four weeks and will close on Sunday 30 October,” the Department said.
More information, including access to the 19-page discussion paper, can be found on the yourSAy website at this PS News link.
