Rock lobster Spiny freshwater crayfish: The body of a RESPONSIBLE FISHING • if the fish is hooked deeper in the mouth or in 28 Rock lobster is measured from the front edge of the crayfish which is not cut in any way other than BEHAVIOURS the stomach through having swallowed the bait, 29 groove between the large antennae to the nearest to remove one or more legs or claws, or is not do not try to pull or twist the hook out. Leave the part of the rear edge of the carapace (main body mutilated in any way other than the absence of Handling Fish hook where it is and cut the line near the hook. shell). Divers are required to measure rock lobster one or more legs or claws. Treating fish humanely, maintaining table fish underwater prior to bringing them to the surface. quality and avoiding waste means: Reducing Damage to Fish DEFINITIONS If the fish that is to be released must be handled • using only tackle that is appropriate for the out of water, reduce damage to the fish by: Catch limit: A general term used to describe any size and type of fish; limit on catching or possession of fish. Bag limits, • using a net without knotted mesh; • attending gear to ensure that fish are boat limits, vehicle limits and possession limits • retrieving fish as quickly as possible; are all types of catch limits. retrieved as soon as they are caught; • using wet hands or a wet cloth, and a Bag limit: The maximum number of a particular • dispatching fish immediately, and; minimum of handling to ensure that released type of fish that a person may take on any one day. • icing fish and storing them away from fish have a good chance of survival; Possession limit: The maximum number of a sunlight, preferably in a moist bag or cooler. • wetting any surface on which you place the particular type of fish that a person may possess Extract reproduced courtesy of Recfish Australia – National Shark Code of Conduct www.recfish.com.au/ fish, and avoiding hot dry surfaces, and; GENERALFISHING RULES AND TIPS at any time while in, on or next to Victorian waters. GENERALFISHING RULES AND TIPS Measure shark from the rear most gill slit to the However, for abalone, a person must not possess Handling Fish to be Released • prior to release, hold the fish gently and move base of the tail fin. Measurement can be made on more than one day’s catch anywhere in Victoria. You are obliged to immediately return to the water it forward to force water through its gills until any side of the body. Scale fish: Species of fish with fins other than any fish that you do not intend to keep. Unwanted it has revived and is able to swim normally. sharks, skates and rays. fish must be returned to the water with the least possible injury or damage. This does not apply to: Marking and Stocking Fish Seasons: A ‘closed season’ for a particular You must not tag, brand, mark, fin-clip (other species is a period during which you must not • fish declared to be noxious, and than as required by the fishing regulations) or take, attempt to take or possess that species. • live bait fish. stock any fish in Victorian waters without prior Species for which there is a closed season written permission from the Department of may be fished only during their open season. While toadfish, rays and native seastars are not Primary Industries. CLEANING/FILLETING Fish caught accidentally during the closed desired species to keep, they must be returned YOUR FISH season must be released immediately with to the water unharmed. The fish’s body has a Tagged Fish as little harm as possible. slimy protective coating, which can be damaged Research agencies and recreational fishers tag Landing in Carcass Form Lake and river boundaries: For the purposes by excessive handling or equipment. Incorrect and release fish to learn more about their growth Catches of certain fish species must be retained of regulations, the boundary between a lake and handling damages fish and reduces their chances and movement. If you catch a tagged fish, record either whole or in carcass form until they have a river is the point at which the flowing water of of survival after release. the date and location of the capture, the fish’s fork been brought onshore. This is to ensure that size the river meets the backed-up waters of the lake, length and the tag number. and/or catch limits for key species are adhered Hook Removal regardless of the water level of the lake. If you intend to keep the fish then retain the tag, to. Refer to the particular fish in the section, If a fish is to be released, if possible, the hook some scales and, if possible, freeze the fish frame. Limits and Closed Seasons, on pages 32-62. Inland waters and marine waters: For a should be removed while the fish is still in definition, please refer to the Fisheries Act 1995. the water. Removal of the hook is a matter of If the tag does not display a phone number, report Definition of Carcass judgement in relation to the potential damage your capture on 1800 652 598 or VICTAG on Scale fish: The body of a fish which is not cut or that may be caused to the fish: 1800 677 620. mutilated in any manner other than to remove the • if the fish is hooked in the jaw or mouth, gut, gills or scales. remove the hook as cleanly as possible using Sharks including elephant fish: The body of a a hook remover or long-nosed pliers; shark or elephant fish which is not cut or mutilated in any manner other than to remove the gut and head forward and clear of the rear-most gill slit. The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG) • Murray cod (see page 41) 30 allows for the listing of threatened species. • Murray spiny crayfish (see page 56) FFG listed fish are also protected under the Fisheries Act 1995 and may not be taken without • silver perch (see page 43) For the catch of your life authorisation under these Acts. • southern bluefin tuna (see page 36) White sharks, pipefish, seadragons and seahorses are fully protected by the Fisheries Act 1995 and All other FFG-listed fish are fully protected and must not be taken. Recreational fishing for some must not be taken including for use as bait. of the FFG listed species, such as Murray cod, For a full and current list, call 136 186 or visit PROTECTEDFISH has been authorised for recreational anglers. www.dse.vic.gov.au “All hours, all tide With reference to the regulations in this guide, access to some of the best Snapper the following protected fish may be taken: Other Protected Species fishing in Australia” Species protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, • flat-headed galaxias Paul Worsteling such as all native frogs, must not be taken for ifish TV • flat-headed gudgen any reason without a licence or permit issued • freshwater catfish (see page 40) under that Act. • Macquarie perch (see page 41) DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Stocking fish to improve your chances Marina living on Mornington Peninsula Imagine slipping away from your home any time the moon and tides are right, and hooking into some of Australia’s best fishing within minutes. The dream is your reality at Martha Cove, where one of the easiest public boat ramps on Port Phillip Bay and a unique seaway sailover are In 2006, despite the impacts of the ongoing drought, Fisheries Victoria stocked nearly one million at your back door. Where you can choose from a bayside apartment, fish into selected Victorian lakes, impoundments and rivers to improve recreational fishing. town home or waterfront home lifestyle, just an hour or so from These fish were introduced species such as rainbow trout, brown trout and Chinook salmon, downtown Melbourne. and native species such as golden perch, Murray cod, and silver perch. Phone 1800 006 446 or 03 5988 3255, or visit the sales centre open daily at 140 Bruce Road, Mt Martha. For more information about when and where these fish were stocked go to: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing or call the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186. www.marthacove.com.au 14691 TOTAL SCALE FISH MARINE AND ESTUARINE 32 BAG/POSSESSION LIMIT SCALE FISH 33 Total Scale Fish Bag/Possession Limit Australian salmon – 40 fish: applies to all scale fish species Scientific name: Arripis species other than declared noxious species and Minimum legal size: 21cm Bag/possession limit: a total limit of 20 the following ‘exempted species’: anchovy, Juvenile garfish (all species), gudgeon (all species), Australian salmon and/or tommy rough. blue mackerel, jack mackerel, yellowtail Small eyes scad, minnow, mullet (all species), Distinguishing features pilchard and sprat. This limit does not of Australian salmon and tommy rough: apply to sharks, skates and rays as they Smooth scales are not scale fish. For a definition of ‘scale Australian salmon juvenile fish’ (see page 28). Species specific bag/ Boarfish (all species) Tommy rough Black tips LIMITS AND CLOSED SEASONS possession limits apply to some of these Scientific name: Pentaceropsis species LIMITS AND CLOSED SEASONS ‘exempted species’, and some ‘exempted Minimum legal size: no minimum. species’ are protected (see page 30). Bag/possession limit: 1 Explanation Bream (all species) The scale fish bag/possession limits restrict Scientific name: Acanthopagrus species the combined take or possession of all scale Gippsland Lakes and its tributaries fish species (other than noxious species and Boarfish the listed ‘exempted species’) to a total of Minimum legal size: 28cm 40 fish per person.