Fisheries Tasmania

04/06/2026

𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 | 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹, 𝗨𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 (𝗜𝗨𝗨) 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

Whether you catch your own seafood or buy it from the store, our oceans are an important source of healthy, nutritious food. But illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens sustainable fisheries and food security around the world.

Today is about shining a light on the impact of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on our oceans, marine life and coastal communities. By raising awareness and working together, we can help protect our oceans for future generations.

If you suspect you’ve seen illegal fishing in Tasmania, you can report it to Tasmania Police on 131 444. Every report helps protect our fisheries.

🔗 Learn more about IUU fishing at:

The purpose of the day is to draw attention to the negative impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

04/06/2026

WILD SHELLFISH ALERT | Do not eat wild shellfish from Pipe Clay Lagoon in southeast Tasmania.

This is in response to elevated levels of biotoxins in shellfish.

Wild (or recreationally) harvested shellfish should not be eaten from this area because the biotoxins are harmful to humans.

Wild shellfish include oysters, mussels, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells, abalone, periwinkles and scallop roe. The intestines and livers (tomalley) of rock lobster can also be affected when toxic algal blooms are present.

It is safe to eat commercial seafood sold in shops and restaurants. Commercially harvested seafood is subject to monitoring, controls and restrictions.

🔗 For more information, visit www.health.tas.gov.au/news/health-alerts/wild-shellfish-health-alerts

01/06/2026

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 – 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Fish can be slippery suckers thanks to the mucous layer that covers their scales.

This layer acts a shield, protecting fish from germs, bacteria and parasites. It also helps fish be more hydrodynamic, so they can swim faster and more efficiently.

But this slime layer is fragile – and if it gets damaged the fish is more likely to get sick. So how can you help keep the fish you release healthy?

🥇𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱: Avoid touching the fish. Circle hooks, de-hookers or fish pliers can all help with a contactless release.
🥈𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱: (because we may need to handle a fish to measure it!): Try to make sure the fish only touches wet, non-abrasive surfaces - think wet rubber net (no knots), wet hands or cloth and a wet ruler or PVC brag mat.

❌ Old, knotted nylon landing nets, and dry cloths are a no-no,!

Every healthy fish helps contribute to a healthy fishery.

👉Learn more at: https://fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-tips/be-a-responsible-fisher

28/05/2026

🎣 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻 — 𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲

Fast, hard fighting and great fun to catch, Eastern Australian Salmon are a key species in Tasmania’s coastal waters — and a top pick for recreational fishers.

Growing up to nearly 90cm, these fish travel far — spawning in NSW and Victoria before juveniles make their way south to Tassie each year.

With a sustainable stock and plenty around, they’re a great choice if you’re after a “mixed bag” — helping take pressure off more depleted species while still enjoying a great day on the water.

Find out more about Eastern Australian Salmon at:https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/EAS%20280526.pdf

24/05/2026

𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸

Humans aren’t the only ones who find abalone delicious 😋

If you leave an undersized abalone belly-up after prying it off a rock, it will get eaten!

Abalone need to be firmly attached to rocks to defend from predators.

So, if you’ve accidentally prised an undersize abalone, make sure to help it re-attach. You can do this by holding it gently against the rock it came from until it’s securely holding on again.

If you don’t, an opportunistic fish will enjoy a lovely lunch – and you’ll be short one more big abalone in the future.

Learn more about abalone fishing at: https://fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-by-species/abalone/abalone-fishing

𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪

21/05/2026

Eat the problem! Chefs, we’re talking to you…

A new incentive program is offering local restaurants, caterers and cafés a chance to serve highly prized Tasmanian Longspined Sea Urchin on the menu. Eligible businesses can get up to $500 back on local urchin products.

Bold, on-trend, and hyper sustainable… serve something exceptional and make a real impact on our threatened rocky reef.

But hurry! It’s peak season right now for this delicacy. Program runs until June 30 (unless funding runs out).

For all the details:👉
https://fishing.tas.gov.au/centro/you-can-help/uni-incentive-for-chefs

Find out more about Longspined Sea Urchin in Tasmania, and what’s being done, at http://centro.tas.gov.au

20/05/2026

🐟 Meet the Greenback Flounder (Southern Flounder)

This master of disguise starts life like a typical fish before transforming - with one eye migrating to the other side - so it can lie perfectly flat and camouflaged on the seafloor.

Growing up to 45cm and living up to 10 years, Greenback Flounder spend most of their lives in shallow inshore waters, feeding on crustaceans, worms and small fish.

Once a popular catch, sightings and catches have declined. There’s still a lot we don’t know about this species, including how it’s coping with changing ocean conditions.

Every story and sighting helps build the picture, so keep an eye out next time you’re near the water 👀

To learn more about Greenback Flounder visit:https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/GBF%202105.pdf

18/05/2026

It's National Volunteer Week, and we’re shining a light on our incredible Fishcare volunteers!

For nearly three decades, Fishcare volunteers have been a friendly face at the water’s edge and at local events around Tasmania, sharing the latest information and supporting sustainable fishing communities well into the future. Thank you, all of you, for everything you do for fisheries!

If you care about fishing, enjoy sharing what you know, or simply want to give back to your local community, 2026 could be your year to volunteer....

🎣 Interested in getting involved?
fishing.tas.gov.au/volunteer

14/05/2026

13/05/2026

Later this year, we will commence a new Sand Flathead stock enhancement program.

The project is supported by a $1.2 million grant and aims to increase the population with larger and faster-growing fish in the South East zone through adult translocation, selective captive breeding and adaptive monitoring.

Our scientists have been trialing flathead husbandry alongside other research to ensure ideal conditions ahead of welcoming our broodstock later this year, just in time for the breeding season.

We also have a purpose-built flathead breeding facility within our new Taroona building to help support our research which is set to open later this year.

Read more about our Taroona fisheries and aquaculture precinct 👉 https://www.utas.edu.au/.../imas-taroona-transformation

📸 IMAS Professor Sean Tracey with Dr Harriet Goodrich and Minister Gavin Pearce.

Fisheries Tasmania