Fish-hoarding grey nomads have come under fire as the South Australian government continues to tinker with the ‘possession limits’ for King George Whiting.
When limits were reduced last September, there was something of a backlash from both recreational and commercial fishermen … and the government has back-pedalled slighly by increasing the recreational limits marginally to allow for the different sizes of fish caught across the state.
While recreational fishers will still be limited to 72 whole fish, the amount of fillets has been increased to 10 kilograms up from seven. Where someone possesses both whole fish and fillets, the limit remains at 36 whole fish but the fillet limit has been lifted to five kilograms instead of 3.5.
While most anglers would presumably be pleased by the latest adjustments, there is still some division among the fishing fraternity.
Grant Fennell, an avid fisherman and charter operator, told the Eyre Peninsula Tribune that the extra three kilograms was neither here nor there, and that it wouldn’t affect locals.
“We can go out on weekends and catch what we need but its people from interstate and more-so the grey nomads that come in and pillage the stocks,” he said. “The possession limits are a good thing, they are there to protect the fish and make sure people only take what they need.”
Minister Gail Gago told the Eyre Peninsula Tribune that the change will continue to serve its purpose of preventing recreational fishers stockpiling large amounts of fish.
“This change will continue to serve this purpose, but offers recreational fishers greater flexibility in the weight of King George Whiting fillets that can be possessed and stored,” she said.
Are you one of the ‘naughty’ fish hoarders? How many fish are in your van’s freezer? Are the limits reasonable? Comment below.
Whilst I disagree with the latest increase in possession limit, 10kgs of KIng George Whiting fillets per person (20kgs) for a couple is very generous indeed. Those that abuse this will be penalized heavily. As I have stated earlier I have seen evidence showing some people with 2 or more portable freezers filled to the top in fillets. This is resource sharing, this is greed
My message should have read, “this is NOT resource sharing” this is greed.