Emergency sand flathead closure? The science says otherwise

TARFish © TARFish

Strong recruitment, no signs of collapse — so why the emergency closure? TARFish is pushing for a pause and a fair process.

The Minister's use of emergency provisions to close the fishery is not supported by the Government's own science.

The Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing (TARFish) calls on Minister Gavin Pearce to pause planned sand flathead closure in south east Tasmania and urges all members of parliament to back the pause and deliver the promised review of sand flathead management.

What TARFish is calling for:

• An immediate pause to the planned closure
• The promised review of the management settings, monitoring program and compliance
• A transparent, consultative process to develop a recovery plan and harvest strategy, supported by a rigorous monitoring program
• Meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including recreational fishers, scientists, Tasmania Police and fisheries managers.

"It's astonishing that the Minister has taken this approach because the science simply does not support the use of emergency powers, and closing the most popular recreational fishery in the state without proper consultation is unacceptable," she said.

TARFish has released a report titled "A response to management changes for sand flathead in Tasmania,” (the Report) authored by respected fisheries scientist Dr Paul McShane to back up the claim that the decision to use emergency powers under the Living Marine Resources Management Act is unwarranted,

"There is no immediate danger to the viability of sand flathead," Dr McShane states in the report. "Strong recruitment is continuing and evident from recent surveys."

The Report concludes that use of the emergency provisions of the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 is not supported by the available evidence, with sand flathead showing strong recruitment, multiple reproductive year classes under the current size limit, and no signs of recruitment overfishing.

"The Minister's decision to close the sand flathead fishery in the south east is disproportionate, and unnecessary.

"TARFish and recreational fishers back sustainable management, it's why we have consistently supported management changes to the sand flathead fishery in recent years, but right now, a clear link between the science and the management response is not there" Ms Gallichan said.

Ms Gallichan said, "a pause on the closure would allow the Government to rebuild trust and ensure the right long term decisions are made."

"A pause gives everyone the chance to get this right - to properly evaluate recent management changes, to let the ongoing research do its job, and to bring stakeholders around the table. That's how good fisheries management is done."

Ms Gallichan said that the Liberal Party, Labor Party and Independent Member for Franklin, David O'Byrne had all made explicit commitments to review sand flathead settings in 2026.

"We have written to the Minister and all members of parliament seeking their support to pause the closure and undertake the promised review of sand flathead management," she concluded.