NSW Kingfish & Snapper Draft Harvest Strategies: What Anglers Need to Know
FISHING STATION COMMUNITY UPDATE
NSW Kingfish & Snapper Draft Harvest Strategies: What Anglers Need to Know
NSW Government is currently asking recreational anglers for feedback on new draft harvest strategies for Yellowtail Kingfish and Snapper.
These are draft measures — they are not final rules. This consultation period is our opportunity as anglers to read the proposals, understand how they may affect our fishing and provide constructive feedback before decisions are made.
YELLOWTAIL KINGFISH
Draft NSW Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategy
What Is Being Proposed?
NSW Government wants to significantly reduce the amount of Kingfish being harvested while the stock rebuilds.
The initial strategy sets total annual Kingfish harvest at 120 tonnes, divided equally between recreational and commercial fishing — approximately 60 tonnes for each sector.
For recreational anglers, the biggest immediate changes would be a reduction from the current bag limit of five Kingfish to one fish per person, combined with a new one Kingfish per recreational or charter vessel limit.
The current 65 cm minimum legal length would remain. A catch-and-release-only period around the likely November–January spawning period may also be introduced if the other measures do not reduce recreational harvest sufficiently.
Kingfish: Current Rules vs Draft Proposal
| Measure | Current | Draft Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum legal length | 65 cm | 65 cm — unchanged |
| Bag & possession limit | 5 per person | 1 per person |
| Boat limit | No current one-fish-per-vessel rule | 1 Kingfish per recreational vessel |
| Charter boat limit | No current one-fish-per-vessel rule | 1 Kingfish per charter vessel |
| Total annual harvest | Recent catches around 250 tonnes | Maximum 120 tonnes during Phase 1 |
| Catch allocation | Catch historically shared between sectors | 50% recreational / 50% commercial |
| Recreational share at 120t | — | Approximately 60 tonnes |
| Spawning period controls | No Kingfish catch-and-release season | Catch-and-release-only period around November–January may be used if required |
| Catch reporting | Recreational survey-based estimates | Improved digital reporting, with further reporting changes planned |
What Does This Mean for Recreational Anglers?
The biggest practical change is the vessel limit.
Under the draft proposal, even if several anglers are fishing together, once the boat has retained one legal Kingfish the vessel limit has been reached.
This would be a major change for recreational and charter anglers, which is exactly why we encourage anyone who regularly targets Kingfish to read the proposal and explain their views through the consultation.
Fishing Station's Position
Kingfish are one of the great recreational fishing species in NSW and we absolutely want to see a healthy stock with more fish and more opportunities to encounter large Kingfish in the future.
At the same time, measures such as a one-fish-per-vessel limit would have a significant effect on the way many anglers and charter operators fish.
Rather than telling every angler what they should think, we're asking you to read the draft and tell the NSW Government what you think.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE A SAY
Submit Your Kingfish Feedback
The strategy is still in draft form. If Kingfish matter to you, please take the time to make a constructive submission.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON KINGFISH → Consultation closes 18 October 2026SNAPPER
Draft NSW Snapper Harvest Strategy
What Is Being Proposed?
NSW Government is also proposing a new harvest strategy for Snapper. The new assessment estimates the NSW component of the stock at approximately 23% of unfished biomass, with the strategy aiming to build the stock to 30% and ultimately towards 50%.
The initial total annual Snapper harvest would be set at 300 tonnes.
The recreational share would be 45% and the commercial share 55%.
For recreational anglers, the current bag and possession limit of 10 would fall to 3 Snapper per person.
The minimum legal length would remain at 30 cm, but anglers would only be able to retain one Snapper over 70 cm per person.
Snapper: Current Rules vs Draft Proposal
| Measure | Current | Draft Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum legal length | 30 cm | 30 cm — unchanged |
| Bag & possession limit | 10 per person | 3 per person |
| Large Snapper | No current 70 cm soft slot | Only 1 Snapper over 70 cm per person |
| Total annual harvest | Recent combined catch around 300 tonnes | 300 tonnes during Phase 1 |
| Recreational share | Catch historically shared between sectors | 45% |
| Commercial share | Catch historically shared between sectors | 55% |
| Recreational reporting | Survey-based catch estimates | Improved recreational digital reporting |
The Snapper Rules Could Change as the Stock Changes
The draft strategy creates a framework where recreational limits can be adjusted in the future depending on stock performance and the recreational catch share.
If recreational catch needs to be reduced further, the draft decision rules include the possibility of a one-fish bag limit, a two-fish recreational boat limit, an increase in minimum legal length to 35 cm and, at lower catch levels, a limited-duration closed season.
Conversely, if the stock and recreational catch allocation improve, the framework also provides for higher bag limits.
Fishing Station's Position
Snapper are an incredibly important species for recreational anglers throughout NSW.
We want to see healthy Snapper stocks and better fishing for future generations, but we also believe anglers who are directly affected by these changes deserve to have their experiences and views heard before the final strategy is determined.
Whether you support the proposed limits, oppose them or believe another approach should be considered, please put that view into the formal consultation.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE A SAY
Submit Your Snapper Feedback
Take a few minutes, read the draft proposal and explain how the changes could affect your fishing.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON SNAPPER → Consultation closes 18 October 2026BE HEARD
How to Make Your Submission Count
Please don't feel like you need to be a fisheries scientist to make a submission.
Your experience as an angler matters. The most useful feedback clearly explains what you think and why.
Explain Who You Are
Tell them whether you're a boat, shore, charter, spearfishing or occasional recreational angler and how often you fish.
Identify the Measure
Be specific about which part of the proposed strategy you support or are concerned about.
Explain the Impact
Explain how the proposed change would affect your fishing, family, club, charter operation or business.
Suggest an Alternative
If you believe there is a better approach, explain what you would like Fisheries to consider and why.