angling rules

Release Fishing

Tagging Program

The Gamefish Tagging Program (GTP) was established in the 1970’s primarily to give recreational fishers, and in particular gamefishers, the opportunity to assist in gathering research data. NSW Fisheries supplies fish tags to members of registered fishing clubs affiliated with the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA). These members undertake the tagging of gamefish since the growing tendency for game and sportfishers to only weigh potentially record or tournament winning fish provides an excellent opportunity for tagging of large numbers of otherwise discarded gamefish on an economically viable basis.

Four types of tag are currently in use:

• small and medium size nylon-headed single barbed
• stainless steel-headed tag with a plastic streamer
• special nylon head Billfish multi-barbed.

All the tags are labeled with a number and a return address printed on the streamer. Each tag is attached to a numbered, pre paid card with a description of where to place the tag in the fish. Tags are usually placed in the shoulder of fish brought alongside the boat. Data recorded includes the date and location of fish, boat, angler and captain’s name, estimated size of fish, and its condition.

The program operates through 84 Gamefishing Clubs throughout Australia, with the main concentration being along the East Coast. Over 18,000 anglers have been involved in the program, each tagging at least one fish. The main species tagged include billfish (black, striped and blue marlin, sailfish, spearfish, swordfish), tunas (yellowfin, bluefin, big-eye, albacore), sharks (whalers, tiger, mako, thresher, blue, hammerhead), kingfish, mackerel and other pelagic species.

The GTP is very popular with gamefishers and sportfishers who regard the continuation of the program as essential to the long term existence of their sport. Since its inception, the program has expanded both geographically and in terms of numbers of fish tagged and recaptured. All the large saltwater gamefish tournaments held in Australia have a large tagging section within them. This “release them alive” ethic has spread throughout the gamefishing community and is largely due to this program.

The GTP provides information on the movements and distribution of fish, encourages the release of juvenile fish, discourages the retention of large catches, encourages anglers to adhere to sustainability principles, develops an appreciation in anglers for the biology of gamefish and develops an appreciation of the bag and size limits. In this regard the GTP contributes to the sustainability of fishery resources while educating the fishing community about fisheries laws. The program may also contribute to a sharing of the resource, and facilitate the perception of community ownership and responsibility for fishery resources.

Guidelines T&R and M&R

GUIDELINES FOR TAG & RELEASE

1. All GFAA Angling Rules and Equipment Regulations apply until the fish is tagged.
2. Tagpoles must not exceed 4.57m (15ft) overall length.
3. The tagpole or holding device must be in the hand when the fish is tagged.
4. One or more persons, in addition to the person holding the leader, may tag or assist in tagging the fish.
5. Pelagic & Shark tags: The tag needle must not protrude more than 50mm from the end of the tagpole or tag holding device, nor shall it exceed 5mm in diameter.
6. Billfish only tag: The tag needle must protrude a min 45mm & no more than 76mm from the end of the tag pole or holding device, nor shall it exceed 6mm in diameter.
7. A fish is considered tagged and released when the tag is secured to the fish and released alive.

GUIDELINES FOR MEASURE & RELEASE

1. Only gamefish species as listed for Measure & Release are to be considered by this guideline.
   All GFAA Angling Rules & Equipment Regulation & Codes of Practice to apply until fish is caught, measured and released in a healthy and vigorous state.
2. The use of knotless, rubber-coated nets or similarly designed nets that minimise slime and scale removal are to be used – the use of gaffs (other than release/jaw gaff) is prohibited.
3. The fish is to be measured using an approved or recognised measuring mat. Measurements between centimetre increments shall be measured at the lower of the two increments; ie 45-46cm will be recorded as 45cm.
4. Once measured, the fish is to be returned to the water as quickly as possible, and supported until it is able to swim away in a healthy and vigorous state. If the fish dies during this process, it is the skipper and angler’s responsibility to disqualify the catch.
5. All measurements and data must be recorded on an approved GFAA Measure & Release card that is to be returned to the angler’s club for processing.
6. Fish caught and released under these guidelines may be eligible for club or state points. (Check with your club or state for this.)

(a) Gaffs and nets

1. The use of gaffs to land fish is prohibited.
2. Nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 2.44 metres (8 feet) in overall length (when fishing from a bridge, pier or other high, stationary structure, this length limitation does not apply.
3. The use of knotless, rubber-coated nets or other similarly designed nets that minimise slime and scale removal is strongly recommended.

(b) Measuring device

1. All fish must be measured using an official GFAA/IGFA measuring device (IGFA mat ,NSW DPI mat or Shimano mat).
2. The measuring device mat may be shortened by cutting it, but it may not be rejoined after it has been shortened.

Rules T&R and M&R

RULES FOR TAG & RELEASE AND MEASURE & RELEASE

1. (a) No tournament shall be approved by a State Association that awards points for free release for GFAA tag species. No Tag & Release points shall be awarded in State Association-approved tournaments unless GFAA approved tags are used

1. (b) Measure & Release is allowed for species that have been determined by the GFAA from time to time – see section titled GFAA eligible gamefish for Measure & Release and section Guidelines for Measure & Release.
   
   Note:
   
   (i) All GFAA Angling & Equipment regulations shall apply.
   
   (ii) All applicable Tag & Release rules shall apply – ie items 1, 2 & 3 of the acts that disqualify a Tag & Release.
   
   (iii) No fish can be released after measurement unless it is in a healthy and vigorous state.
   
   (iv) The GFAA Measure & Release card is to be used to record species release information.
   
   
2. All billfish MUST be tagged with the NSW DPI “Billfish only tag”. This is the only tag that will be recognised for billfish in any tournament, competition, point scoring or trophies. Plastic tags are to be only used for pelagic and other species as listed. Steel tags are to be only used for sharks and rays.

THE FOLLOWING ACTS WILL DISQUALIFY A TAG & RELEASE:

1. Failure to comply with GFAA angling rules and equipment regulations or tournament tag and release rules.
2. Failure to comply with all other regulations that disqualify a capture.
3. Use of a gaff (other than a jaw release device for the purpose of tagging e.g. Boga-Grip.)