Image: Department of Primary Industries and Regions
South Australian recreational fishers have received welcome news ahead of the school holidays, with the seasonal King George Whiting closure officially lifted early across the state.
From now, recreational anglers can once again fish for King George Whiting in all South Australian waters after the State Government brought forward the end of the species’ spawning closure by almost a month.
The closure, which was introduced on May 1st under the Algal Bloom Fish Recovery Program, was originally due to remain in place until July 31st. It covered southern Gulf St Vincent, Investigator Strait and parts of eastern and southern Spencer Gulf and Yorke Peninsula to protect the iconic species during its spawning season.
The decision to reopen the fishery follows updated scientific advice from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which found the peak reproductive period is better aligned with a closure running from March 1st to June 30th.
The revised timing also reflects feedback from the fishing industry and means recreational fishers can once again enjoy targeting one of South Australia’s most prized table fish during the winter school holiday period.
From 2027, the annual King George Whiting spawning closure will permanently apply from March 1st to June 30th for commercial, recreational and charter fishers.
While fishing has resumed, existing bag and boat limits remain in place.
In Spencer Gulf, recreational fishers can keep up to 10 King George Whiting per person each day, with a maximum boat limit of 30 fish when three or more people are onboard.
In Gulf St Vincent and around Kangaroo Island, the daily bag limit remains five fish per person, with a boat limit of 15 fish.
The reopening applies only to recreational fishing.
Commercial restrictions introduced in response to the harmful algal bloom remain in place, with the commercial take of marine scalefish species, including King George Whiting, continuing to be prohibited in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone until April 30th 2027. Commercial fishing for King George Whiting is still permitted in Spencer Gulf.
Temporary closures also remain for the commercial harvest of bloodworms, beachworms and tubeworms in Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island waters, after SARDI advised those populations may still be recovering from the algal bloom.
These restrictions do not affect recreational fishers, although reduced bag and boat limits of 50 per cent remain for these bait species.
The changes mean families heading out on the water these school holidays can once again target King George Whiting while continuing to fish within South Australia’s recreational fishing limits.
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