Releasing fish – minimise stress and bruising to the fish by using a knotless landing net to retrieve the fish from the water as scale damage or removal of the protective mucous on their scales can lead to infection.  To avoid damage to the protective mucous, place the fish on a damp surface and use a damp cloth or wet hands.

A good set of long-nosed pliers will help you remove the hook and a damp fishing glove on the other hand will help you hold the fish and avoid spikes from any barbs.  If the fish caught has been deep hooked or hooked deep in the gut leave the hook (it will rust out over time) as you may pull out vital organs, then cut the line 20-30cm from the hook as this will not impede the fishes ability to continue to feed.

Fish can be exhausted after the struggle of being caught and may need some assistance upon release.  When returning the fish to the water, hold it on top behind the head with a fishing glove or damp cloth and move it through the water like it was swimming and repeat if necessary as this pushes water over the fish’s gills so it can get enough oxygen to recover.  Once it starts to give a few flicks of its tail it is ready to release.

Boating Licences – if you have a boat don’t forget to brush up on the rules and regulations for your boating licence.

What is the best humane way to kill a fish?

Most of us at one time or another have walked past someone’s fish catch left flapping and ‘gasping’ on the deck of a boat or in a bucket and it does look distressing for the fish.

The best way to kill a fish humanely is by a technique known as ‘iki jimi’ which is spiking the fish in the brain, just behind the eye with a sharp instrument.  The fish is likely to respond by convulsing, flaring its gills and mouth and then relax.

Another way to kill a fish is to cut the fish’s throat and bend the head back and sever the spine.  Fish intended for eating should be bled by cutting the throat or gills area as this improves eating quality.

Recreational Fishing Licences

Each state and territory has various regulations, exemptions, terms and conditions as well as fees applicable for the issuance of a fishing licence.  Penalties can apply for fishing without a licence or infringing the conditions of use.  The regulations as well as terms and conditions can be changed over time depending on depletion of certain stocks of fish and other reasons so it would be a good idea to keep yourself up to date.  Licences are issued upon payment of a fee and the time limit for a license can vary (eg: 3 day up to 3 year licence). 

For example, in Queensland anglers don’t require a licence to fish recreationally except if fishing in some stocked impoundments such as Queensland dams where a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required for about 33 dams.  Size, take and possession limits apply.  In New South Wales you must obtain a fishing licence to fish in saltwater or freshwater anywhere in NSW.

To conserve fish stocks catch sizes and bag limits can apply and these limits may also vary according to the various species of fish.  Bag limits are a type of catch quota for recreational fishers.  A bag limit is the amount of fish of a particular species an individual angler can catch and keep in a 24 hour period or similar.  The bag limit definition for Queensland from March 2009 states ‘In this guide, a ‘bag limit’ refers to the total number of fish an individual has in their possession at any one time—it does not apply on a per day basis. This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in your freezer at home.’

There may be a boat limit which can be set at three times the personal bag limit where there are three or more persons fishing on board the boat.  The size limit is the minimum/maximum legal size for that particular specie of fish for you to be able to keep it as a catch.

Closed seasons and closed areas can also apply to various waters as well as the species of fish particularly during spawning season.  Some fish species may be protected fish and must be released whilst other species may be classed as ‘noxious’ or non-indigenous fish and not be able to be released back into the water as they compete with native species.  Also check with Marine Parks such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority or the Environmental Protection Agency if the area you intend to fish is in a ‘green zone’ (ie: no take area).

Restriction on the use of live bait – check out if you are permitted to use live bait in certain areas.  For example in Qld their website states ‘The use of fish and crustaceans such as spangled perch, redclaw crayfish, shrimp and yabbies as bait (dead or alive) is prohibited outside their natural environment or range.  This is to prevent species from becoming established in foreign habitats and causing environmental damage’.

Where can I get a recreational fishing licence?

An application for a fishing licence can be made on-line through the Department of Primary Industries or Fisheries websites (see links below) or from their authorised agents.  A national code of practice has also been developed by Recfish Australia for recreational fishermen (www.recfish.com.au) and they have a very informative website. 

QLD - a Stock Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required for about 33 dams in Qld. For the Baroon Pocket Dam, Hinz Dam, North Pine Dam and Storm King Dam a Council Permit to fish in those dams is required.  For the SIP you only need one permit per couple (defacto or married) and if you are under 18 years of age you don’t need one at all.  Available on line at DPI & F, by phone (13 13 04) and small business outlets listed on their website. From March 2009 there will be changes to the Recreational Fishing Rules & Regulations for Queensland so for more details check here

Before you go fishing also check where the marine park boundaries are:- Qld Department of Environment & Resource Management and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Part Authority (www.gbrmpa.gov.au). 

NSW – by telephone 1300 369 365 (Visa and Mastercard only) or  apply on line at DPI, DPI Fisheries Offices, or one their Gold agents or NSW listed agents.  In New South Wales you must obtain a fishing licence to fish in saltwater or freshwater anywhere in NSW.  See their website for full details.

ACT – you do not require a recreational fishing licence in the ACT but regulations do apply and these can be view on the Parks Conservation and Lands (PCL) website.

VIC – apply on-line at DPI, one of the many DPI offices or business outlets in Victoria as listed on their website.  A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) is required when taking any species of fish by line fishing, bait collection, gathering shellfish, prawning, yabby fishing and spear fishing. See their website for full particulars.

TAS – apply on line at DPI & Water or one of its 120 agents including major fishing tackle and sports stores. For those who wish to renew their licence and know their client number you can call 1300 720 647 [or (03) 6224 1931 for callers outside Tasmania.  In Tasmania you do not need a licence for sea fishing with a rod and line but for angling in most inland waters an Inland Fisheries Angling Licence is required.  See their website for full particulars.

SA – a licence to fish recreationally with rods and handlines in South Australia is not required.  See PIRSA Fisheries website for regulations relating to permitted devices, closed areas and bag limits.  Recreational fishers are not permitted to sell or trade their catch.  See their website for full particulars.

WA – apply at the Department of Fisheries and all Australia Post outlets.  Recreational fishing in Western Australia is managed within four biological regions and each region has fishing rules and regulations to suit the regional ecology, fishing pressure and mix of species.  Some new recreational fishing rules were introduced from January 2009. See their website for further details as well as maps of the biological regions.

NT – No fishing licence is required for recreational fishing in the Northern Territory but none of the catch can be sold or bartered.  In Kakadu National Park some additional fishing controls apply (Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources).  There is also a requirement to obtain a permit to enter Aboriginal land and adjoining waters.  For these areas enquires should be directed to the Northern Land Council (NLC) on 1800 645 299 or www.nlc.org.au.  In NT they have a ‘possession limit’ rather than a boat, trip or daily limit.  The possession limit is the number of fish a person may have in their possession at any one time one time (other than at the permanent place of residence). 

Concessions or Exemptions for fishing licences

When applying for a fishing licence or permit check if you may be eligible for a concession or exemption from either having to have a licence or for payment of a fee.

For example:-

In Queensland you are under the age of 18 years you do not need a Stock Impoundment Permit and in some states children under 14 or 16 years do not need a licence to fish.  In Victoria there is an exemption for a licence to fish if you are over 70 years of age.

In a number of states you may not need to have a licence to fish if you hold either a Seniors Card, Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner or Repatriation Health (TPI) Card or Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card coded either (DSP), (DSP Blind), (AGE), (AGE Blind) or (CAR).  Please make your own enquiry. 

Disclaimer:  As fishing licence regulations, terms and conditions may change in the various state or territory since this article was written, you should make your own enquiry with the relevant state fishing industry control authority.

Further information is available on the state and territory authority websites:-

QLD – Department of Environment and Resource Management

NSW – New South Wales Department of Industries

ACT – Parks, Conservation & Lands (PCL)

VIC – Department of Primary Industries, Fishing and Aquaculture

TAS – Department of Primary Industries & Parks Water & Environment

SA – Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA Fisheries).

WA – Department of Fisheries, Western Australia

NT – Department of Resources - Fisheries