With snapper season now closed in SA, The Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) sector of the state government is concerned that fish numbers in SA are under threat.

For most, fishing and 4WDing go hand in hand. The ability to get to those secret fishing spots in your 4WD puts you a notch above the rest to get the catch of the day. But if you’re in SA, your ideal fishing trip may be cut a bit short.

A draft released by the PIRSA says that fish numbers are in decline because of over-fishing by both commercial and recreational fishermen. According to PIRSA, 236,000 SA residents enjoy fishing each year. This puts fish numbers under extreme pressure, especially when some target species in a closed season.

Many SA recreational fishermen are concerned that the commercial offshore fisheries will affect their popular sport, by catching fish outside open seasons. PIRSA is looking to reduce fishing season length in order to tackle the decline of fish species.

Deputy Editor of Modern Fishing magazine, Matt Smith says “To counter declining fish stocks, the government needs to downsize ridiculous bag limits and increase the legal length of many species on a year-round basis. Simply locking anglers out for longer periods each year isn’t the solution, and does not mask the fact that current bag and size limits are largely unsustainable.”

If you want to comment and be heard in regard to this draft, all submission should be logged with PIRSA before January 14th 2012.