01/09/2026
🚨 KINGFISH & SNAPPER — RECREATIONAL FISHERS NEED TO SPEAK UP NOW 🚨
It looks like we are heading towards major changes to the recreational harvest rules for Kingfish and Snapper.
The proposed changes reportedly include:
• Recreational bag and possession limit reduced to ONE fish — or one fish over 70cm
• Recreational boat limit of ONE fish
• Charter boat limit of ONE fish
• Catch-and-release-only seasons, potentially structured around the November–January spawning period.
If these proposals are confirmed, this is not a minor adjustment. It would represent a massive restriction on recreational fishing access.
We have seen this before. A fishery gets assessed as being in trouble, restrictions are placed heavily on recreational fishers, and ordinary Australian families are expected to carry the burden.
We absolutely support healthy and sustainable fish stocks. Nobody wants to see Kingfish or Snapper depleted.
But management decisions need to be based on sound science, transparent stock assessments and the total fishing mortality across all sectors — not simply on reducing what recreational families are allowed to take.
NSW Fisheries itself recognises that bag limits are intended to prevent overfishing and provide fair access to the resource. (DPIRD)
So the question is simple:
Where is the evidence that taking recreational fishing opportunities down to ONE fish per person/boat is necessary?
And if spawning closures are being proposed:
Where is the scientific evidence establishing the exact period, expected benefit and impact on the overall stock?
We need to make our voices heard before these decisions are locked in.
🎣 This is bigger than Kingfish.
🎣 This is bigger than Snapper.
🎣 It is about the future of recreational fishing in NSW.
We are the people who buy the boats, fuel, tackle, bait, licences and fishing equipment. We support coastal towns, tackle shops, charter operators, boat dealers and tourism businesses.
We deserve a seat at the table.
If you care about recreational fishing in NSW, don’t sit back and assume someone else will speak up.
Have your say. Make a submission. Contact your local MP. Contact the Fisheries Minister. Contact your fishing organisations.
And most importantly — stick to the science, ask for the evidence and demand that any restrictions are proportionate, transparent and applied fairly across all sectors.
🎣 NSW recreational fishing families deserve better than being treated as the easy target.
SPEAK UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/fishing/harvest-strategies/east-coast-snapper
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/yellowtail-kingfish?fbclid=IwRlRTSAUDcjZwZG9mBWZkaWQWUNny6Zh0qUerkjPzeVWTFHMAFWld-WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR438GRpH_ZMthApdFahG9CGAYOAuneVfR64zoGhhCmx0LGs24ze1Ubnu-sTug_aem_Y_msbhHkeobCgT4VgQk-Qg — at Parliament House Sydney.
NSW Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategy
