Frequently asked questions
What fishery regulation changes are being proposed?
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) are proposing to reduce the recreational fishing daily bag limit for kingfish from 5 to 2.
Why is this proposal being put forward?
The VFA are working with recreational fishers to improve fishing outcomes. It’s been around 20 years since Victorian kingfish regulations were last reviewed. Since then, there has been significant changes in the fishery, and we have more data on the status of kingfish population stocks. Recreational fishers tell us our current daily bag limit of 5 kingfish is beyond a ‘fair days take’ (for the table) especially, if they are large fish.
Reducing the bag limit will help share the catch amongst more recreational fishers and reduce localised kingfish depletion / harvest where kingfish aggregate in large numbers. Last summer, significant numbers of kingfish were harvested over a short timeframe by recreational fishers in one reef location in South Gippsland. In this example, a bag limit of 2 fish may have significantly reduced harvest pressure and given more fishers the opportunity to access and better share kingfish catches at fair days take.
Most other large pelagic marine fish (e.g. tuna and shark) have lower daily bag limits of 2 fish per person per day. Aligning kingfish bag limits simplifies and improves awareness and compliance among recreational fishers.
What consultation has there been to date on this proposal?
The VFA has heard from anglers for a number of years that the 5 fish per person day bag limit is seen as beyond a fair day’s harvest for kingfish. We’ve discussed these concerns with anglers over the years, consulted with our interstate fisheries jurisdiction counterparts on their fishery management arrangements and collaborated on scientific research into kingfish. We have also spoken at length with recreational fishers experienced in fishing for kingfish at the regional recreational fishing forums and a dedicated forum at Queenscliff on kingfish science and management.
What’s the significance of NSW kingfish fishery to Victoria?
Victorian kingfish are part of the Eastern Australian stock of kingfish which are mostly derived from spawning and migrating stocks from NSW. NSW is estimated to have the majority (~70%) of kingfish in the Eastern Australian stock.
What’s the status of the Eastern Australian kingfish fishery?
The Eastern Australia Yellowtail Kingfish stock is classified as sustainable, however there is growing uncertainty about the future sustainability of kingfish populations from some stakeholders.
Why aren’t size limits apart of this Vic regulation review?
No changes are proposed for the current size limit for kingfish at this stage due to concerns that increasing the size limit beyond 60cm may significantly reduce the number of harvestable fish for casual anglers, whilst not have a meaningful benefit to the overall stock given other states current size limits and Victoria’s low catch proportion.
The VFA will however work with recreational fishers and neighbouring jurisdictions over the next two years to better understand sizes of kingfish and assess whether further improvements to management arrangements can be made in Victoria and in conjunction other jurisdictions to benefit the whole stock.