South Australia’s recreational fishing enthusiasts are expressing strong discontent following the state government’s announcement of new catch limits.

The new regulations, set to be enforced starting November 1, target the Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent. They coincide with a period when local retail businesses report an uptick in trade.

The ongoing concerns about the state’s severe algal bloom have heightened anxieties, with many fearing that these restrictions might extend beyond their planned expiration date of June 30.

“Everyone feels blindsided; there needs to be a more extensive consultation period,” stated Andrew Harris, chair of RecFish SA.

While recreational fishers in both gulfs are now subject to reduced bag limits, the restrictions currently impact only commercial fishers in Gulf St Vincent.

“If the science identifies that there is a need to have such reductions in both GSV and Spencer Gulf, then that needs to be appropriately disseminated across both industries,” Harris said.

“We’re being asked to trust, trust, trust, but at the end of the day, it’s always been take, take, take.” 

The restrictions have also drawn criticism from businesses reliant on recreational fishing.

Codey Marchesi from Spot On Fishing & Tackle in Port Lincoln described the situation as “another really big kick in the teeth for small business in South Australia.” 

“We’ve already had dozens of customers in today saying they’re not gonna bother going to the group to go fishing to catch five whiting,” he said.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison defended the government’s decision.

“We’ve had to make some tough decisions, and we’ve made those decisions with the future in mind,” she said.

But not everyone has criticised the move, with some anglers still getting out on the water this morning.

“The fish stocks out here are pretty much heavily affected, and I think it was a no-brainer  – they had to do it,” fisherman Rob Christiansen said.