Snapper ban will remain with state government to invest millions into fish sustainability

SA’s ban on snapper fishing will remain for a further three years – a move that’s inflamed recreational anglers.

A ban on catching the prized table fish snapper will be extended for more than three years in a bid to boost historically low stocks, prompting fears for businesses supporting recreational anglers.

In a decision inflaming recreational anglers, Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven revealed the current ban, imposed in 2019, would be extended until mid-2026 for the Spencer Gulf, West Gulf and Gulf St Vincent zones.

The decision was recommended by a Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Advisory Committee, based on a scientific advisory report that revealed some snapper stocks remained “near the lowest recorded levels”.

Commercial fishers said they understood the minister had made a “difficult decision with the sustainability of the fishery in mind” but prominent angler Shane Mensforth warned some would abandon fishing, hurting associated businesses.

Declaring keeping the snapper fishery closed “was the only responsible decision” because of depleted stocks, Ms Scriven unveiled an $8.8m support package for affected commercial, recreational and charter boat sectors.

“Decisions of this nature must be guided by science, and, on this occasion, the science is clear – to do anything other than continue the closure could have placed snapper stocks in a position where they may not have been able to recover,” she said.

The support package includes $2.4m in commercial fee relief for snapper quota holders, 50 per cent annual fee relief for charter boat licence holders, $200,000 for reef restoration projects and $1.2m over two years for a snapper restocking program. Scientific research into snapper stock recovery will get $5m. Snapper fishing in the South East zone will continue with strict management arrangements because stocks remain sustainable.

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A key South Australian Research and Development Institute snapper stock report released in November showed the three-year ban on catching snapper had stabilised the decline but “no measurable improvement’’ in fish numbers.

SA Angler magazine editor Shane Mensforth said commercial fishing, particularly professional long lines, had spoiled stocks for recreational anglers.

“A lot of people will be looking closely at whether to retain their boats or not, or perhaps get rid of their boats, and a lot of the tackle stores are going to be thinking: ‘Is it worth stocking any of that sort of equipment anymore’,” he said.

Cavan’s Sportsfishing Scene owner Ian Clift said the ban should have extended for a year, then reassessed.

Mr Clift, a 41-year industry veteran, said his customers would be livid at being locked out for a further three years

“I think we’re gonna find this will kind of push a lot of people over the edge, where they’re going to say: ‘Bugger this, it’s not worth having a boat. It’s not worth the amount of money I spend on the industry when all I catch is whiting, squid … go tuna fishing for a couple of months of the year’,” he said

Marine Fishers Association independent chair Patrick Conlon said his members understood Ms Scriven had made a difficult decision, based on sustainability of the fishery.

Charter Boat Association of SA president Tom Di Vittorio said operators were disappointed but understood sustainability, “For longevity, I need my kids to catch some snapper too,” he said.