Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

New interim management arrangements for mulloway commencing 1 September 2023

by Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW 14 Sep 2023 22:58 UTC
Mulloway © RFA of NSW

Mulloway are an important and iconic species for NSW commercial, recreational and Aboriginal cultural fishers, however stocks in NSW are currently classified as 'depleted'.

Recovering Mulloway stocks in NSW is a key priority for NSW DPI Fisheries. Despite a range of fishing arrangements being implemented in the past, given the reported data, DPI Fisheries managers and scientists have not yet detected measurable improvement in the stock. However, it is noted that recent unprecedented flooding events may assist in improving future recruitment to the fishable biomass and any juvenile Mulloway need to be adequately protected to maximise the success of future recruitment to the fishery. Based on available data, the recreational and commercial sectors each harvest similar proportions of around 50% of the Mulloway catch.

A Mulloway Harvest Strategy Working Group was established in 2021 to develop a forward-looking Harvest Strategy for Mulloway in NSW. The Harvest Strategy will provide a strategic framework and decision rules to promote stock recovery and equitably manage catch amongst user groups in the longer term. In the short to medium term, interim management arrangements are required that will afford greater protection to the depleted stock and support the recovery of Mulloway.

Current stock rebuilding arrangements for Mulloway are enacted through orders issued under section 8 and section 17C of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 that are due to expire 31 August 2023. To protect Mulloway and support stock recovery, new legal instruments establishing new management arrangements will be implemented to replace the expiring orders.

DPI Fisheries sought advice from the Mulloway Harvest Strategy Working Group and established advisory councils on additional interim measures to protect the depleted stock. DPI Fisheries considered the available data and is implementing new interim management arrangements in all fisheries from 1 September 2023. These interim arrangements have been designed, using the best available data, to achieve reductions in retained annual catch across all stakeholder groups:

  • Size limit: continuation of the 70 cm minimum legal length (all sectors)
  • Bag and boat limit for recreational fishers: continuation of the daily bag limit of one Mulloway per person and a new boat limit of two Mulloway per boat per day
  • Boat limit for the charter sector: a new boat limit of three Mulloway per boat per day

Take and possession limits for commercial fishers:

A new zero kilogram take and/or possession limit for endorsement holders in the Lobster and Southern Fish Trawl fisheries, and a new 200 kilogram daily take and/or possession limit for all other endorsement holders in the Estuary General, Ocean Trap and Line, Ocean Hauling and Ocean Trawl fisheries. Previously there were no direct controls on commercial Mulloway catch, other than a 500 kilogram daily catch limit for the Ocean Haul Fishery, with the catch levels in all other sectors being managed by input controls such as gear and effort restrictions.

The aim of these new interim measures is to provide greater protection to adult fish in order to support the recovery of the currently depleted Mulloway population, which will allow all stakeholders to enjoy sustainable access to the fishery into the future. These arrangements are interim arrangements, pending the finalisation and implementation of the formal Harvest Strategy for Mulloway, which will involve new approaches to management of Mulloway catch and effort across all fishing sectors. The draft mulloway harvest strategy will be finalised by the Mulloway Harvest Strategy Working Group soon and this will provide a further opportunity for stakeholder consultation.

DPI Fisheries will continue with the work already under way to promote protection for juvenile mulloway across all fishing sectors. The work under way to enhance Mulloway bycatch reduction in NSW commercial fisheries will continue and technical support will be available to those fishers that require additional assistance to modify fishing operations to avoid Mulloway bycatch as part of adapting to the new interim measures.

DPI Fisheries will also continue the recently enhanced compliance and data collection programs for Mulloway fishing in NSW across all fishing sectors. The Harvest strategy will provide further guidance to these initiatives.

Helping mulloway

Mulloway is classified as a 'depleted stock' in NSW and DPI Fisheries is developing a formal harvest strategy for this important species to improve certainty in future decision making on harvest controls for mulloway.

Recreational fishers can do their bit to help our mighty mulloway by following the below tips:

    1. Reduce the risk caused by deep hooking. Use circle hooks when using bait - Circle hooks significantly reduce the risk of deep hooking. Choose non-offset circle hooks for the best results. To use them successfully you need to adapt your fishing technique by not striking and keeping the hook well exposed. More circle hook tips are available on the DPI website. Or use lures - Fish caught using lures tend not to be deeply hooked. Using lures with single hooks also reduces any hook-related damage.

    2. Minimise injury caused by deep hooking. If you end up with a deeply hooked fish, it is important that you don't attempt to remove the hook as you are likely to cause further injury to the fish. Simply cut the line as close as possible to the fish's mouth and release it. Research has shown that this gives the fish the best chance of survival.

    3. Avoid aggregations. If you find yourself catching multiple undersized mulloway, do the right thing and move to a different location. Mulloway, if handled correctly, are likely to survive being released, however they are more sensitive than many other fish species and a small proportion may not survive the experience. Reduce that risk to the undersized fish and move to a different location.

    4. Carry a release weight when fishing from a boat. Mulloway are particularly sensitive to barotrauma injuries (caused by expansion of gases when fish are caught from deeper water (~10 m +)). If you catch a mulloway when fishing deeper water and you wish to return it, if it is suffering from barotrauma - release it quickly and use a release weight to return it to depth.

    5. Be aware of best practice handling techniques. Best practice handling includes a number of techniques that can make a difference to the survival of released fish and includes: handling fish quickly using wet hands or gloves; using a knotless mesh net to minimise injuries; and getting the fish back into the water as quickly as possible - ideally, unhook fish while they are still in the water.

For tips on maximising fish survival, including reducing barotrauma impacts see this link on the DPI website.

Fishers are also reminded that DPI Fisheries Compliance operation 'Mulloway Assist' continues along the coast, focusing compliance resources on Mulloway catches across all harvest sectors in estuaries and inshore fishing locations.

Related Articles

IMTRA introduces Zipwake PRO
The ultimate upgrade to Zipwake's award-winning Dynamic Trim Control System IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today the introduction of the newest innovation in vessel pitch and roll control, Zipwake PRO. Posted today at 3:35 pm
RAILBLAZA Trident Carbon Fiber Modular Push Poles
Ideal for shallow water anglers RAILBLAZA, manufacturer of premium quality, user-friendly electronics, fishing and boating mounting systems and accessories, has announced the launch of its new Trident Carbon Fiber Modular Push Pole, ideal for shallow water anglers. Posted on 8 Jul
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
NOAA changes Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
Announcing changes following feedback from the sportfishing industry and recreational anglers On June 3, NOAA Fisheries announced changes to fishing regulations for private vessels limiting the harvest of one school size bluefin tuna (27 to 47 inches) and charter and head boats would be permitted to retain two school sized bluefin tuna. Posted on 8 Jul
Simrad Yachting introduces AutoTrack feature
For its HALO 2000 & 3000 Radars Simrad Yachting, a leader in marine electronics and navigation, today introduced the new AutoTrack™ feature for its HALO® 2000 and HALO 3000 Radars. Posted on 7 Jul
Big Deal, Bayliss 75' on the water update
Built for owners with a long-standing relationship with our boatyard Bayliss Boatworks is proud to announce the delivery of Big Deal (Bayliss 75'), a custom sportfishing weapon designed and built for owners with a long-standing relationship with our boatyard. Posted on 5 Jul
The enhanced Yellowfin 54 Offshore
The most stable ride in its class Welcome to the next evolution of the 54 Offshore. We have evolved the Yellowfin 54 Offshore to redefine your boating experience. Posted on 4 Jul
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 84', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 84' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 4 Jul
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
The team is making solid headway on Mama Seata Tarheel is shaping up beautifully, with our exterior carpentry team recently installing the teak coaming and coverboards in the cockpit. Posted on 3 Jul
A new chapter begins
Two new flagship models for the Open & Heritage Series Introducing the all-new Heritage 321 — the ultimate family center console and the new flagship of the Heritage Series. Posted on 2 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series