The King George Whiting spatial closure period, introduced to protect the species during its spawning period, has ended early following industry feedback and updated advice from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
The closure, which applied to southern Gulf St Vincent, Investigator Strait and parts of eastern and southern Spencer Gulf and Yorke Peninsula, commenced on 1 May under the Algal Bloom Fish Recovery Program and was originally due to end on 31 July.
However, latest advice now indicates that a closure from 1 March to 30 June better aligns with the species' peak spawning and reproductive cycle, prompting the early closure.
Recreational fishers can now resume fishing for King George Whiting within the former closure area, subject to existing limits:
- Spencer Gulf: Daily bag limit of 10 fish and daily boat limit of 30 fish (when three or more people are on board).
- Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island: Daily bag limit of five fish and daily boat limit of 15 fish.
From 2027, the King George Whiting spawning closure will apply annually from 1 March to 30 June for commercial, recreational and charter fishers.
A separate closure on the commercial take of marine scalefish species, including King George Whiting, remains in place in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone until 30 April 2027. Commercial fishing for King George Whiting continues in Spencer Gulf.
The temporary closure on the commercial take of bloodworms, beachworms and tubeworms in the Gulf St Vincent/Kangaroo Island Fishing Zone will remain in place until 30 April 2027 following SARDI advice that stocks may still be recovering from the algal bloom.
This closure does not impact the recreational fishing sector, where 50 per cent bag and boat limits remain for these species.
For the latest fishing rules and limits, visit the PIRSA website or download the free SA Fishing app.
