New size limit proposed for dusky flathead

Marc_Ainsworth

From Tim Bull MP
Member for Gippsland East

Thursday 9 August, 2012

New size limit proposed for dusky flathead

The Department of Primary Industries is seeking feedback from recreational fishers on a proposal to introduce new size limits for dusky flathead to boost fishing opportunities and help safeguard the sustainability of this iconic fishery.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the new limits had been proposed in response to the increasing popularity of dusky flathead fishing in the area.

“The recreational fishing community has expressed support for action to provide more protection for large breeding dusky flathead, particularly females, in East Gippsland estuaries.

“Fisheries research through boat ramp surveys and angler diary information collected in Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers suggest catches of large females have declined since the 1990s.

“To boost big fish stocks, Fisheries Victoria had issued a draft Fisheries Notice to introduce a maximum size limit for dusky flathead of 55cm for recreational anglers and the new maximum size limit will provide a no-take refuge for large fish and help rebuild breeding stocks,” Mr Bull said.

“The notice will also increase the minimum size limit from 27cm to 30cm and the new minimum size limit reflects the views of recreational fishers that the current minimum size limit of 27cm does not provide a fish of suitable size to eat,” he said.

Recreational fishers supported these proposals at forums in Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota. The Fisheries Notice will apply to recreational fishers in all Victorian waters.

Mr Bull said, the implementation of this Fisheries Notice will not change the current daily bag limit of five dusky flathead per person.

“The new slot size limit will not apply to commercial fishing activity to avoid the wasteful discard of large flathead.”

Fisheries Victoria is seeking public comment on the draft Fisheries (Dusky Flathead) Notice until Sunday 30 September 2012.

To comment on this Fisheries Notice, please provide comments in writing to Zac Lewis, Fisheries Manager, PO Box 4440, Melbourne 3001, or email zac.lewis@dpi.vic.gov.au

Ando56 · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

Sounds a good idea. Dusky minimum sizes are way too small at present.

Ken

seacarp 1 · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:22 am Post subject:

sounds like a shit idea pros can still take large fish and i cant boffoons can still target large fish to put on magazine covers
if they start this slot limit crap well be throwing garfish breeders back and micallif and winga will have another crack at their gummy slot limits
nobody i know tells the whole story at boat ramp surveys why doesnt fisheries breed and relese duskys like they do in other states andnot have them as a commercial species if their so worried about them
another pen pushing exercise that will destroy amatuer fishing why dont you up the size of murray cod again to 70 cm so youve got something to put in the new fisheries book
yfkidding victoria where a kid cant catch a flatty and the pro boat can smash em to pieces and buy a new f250 way to go vic

shanej · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject:

Which states breed and release dusky flathead???

You wouldn't get 2 fish fingers off a 27cm dusky, would you? what a joke of a minimum size limit!!!!
_________________
"If it is to be, it is up to me".

frozenpod · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 1:05 am Post subject:

We normally keep them if they are over 30cm and I have no problem with a 30cm minimum size. It terms of meat it depends on the thickness, there can still be a reasonable amount of top quality meat on a 27cm flathead if you know how to fillet them.

seacarp 1 · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:53 am Post subject:

the united states
cause theyre nicknamed yanks
i believe qld and nsw have
i dont want 27 cm fish but i do want to be able to eat me bigger fish without upper size limits being imposed on amatuers and not commercial fisherman

frozenpod · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 1:12 pm Post subject:

99.9% of flathead over 55cm are females letting the breeders go makes sure there is fish for the future.

Commercial fishing should let them go IMO if they are in a healthy state too.

boneman · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject:

There is no good reason to take fish of 27cm, and its a great idea to limit the max take size to 55cm, you could maybe go to 60cm, but 55 will help the stocks even more. Great idea but too long in coming.

Personally we won't take a flathead less than 35 or more than 55, so it sit just fine with me.

metungite · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:36 pm Post subject:

I never keep duskies under 35cm and rarely find them over 55cm these
days. The biggest problem I see with a maximum size is the fact that
there are still 10 licenced professionals fishing the Gippsland Lakes.
Chances are that a large percentage of the fish released by us rec fishos
will not be around to spawn come the next breeding season. Also, if they became aware of the decreasing numbers in the 1990's, why has it taken 20 years to decide to do something about it.

I fish Lake Tyers a lot these days and do not have a problem releasing
the larger fish there, due to the fact that it is closed to the pro's.
Cheers, Geoff.
_________________
<*) ) )><

Dusky_Chaser · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject:

Love the slot limit idea....been advocating it for ages.
Vic needs to catch up to the other states and realise that Dusky Flathead are a different species. Its good they decreased the bag limit but A blanket size on flathead of 27cm across all species doesn't make sense.
30cm is better but I would be happy to see us go in line with NSW on the Min size of 36cm.
_________________