Dear Mr Baldwin,
I am writing to provide an update on consultation for the draft NSW Snapper Harvest Strategy and draft NSW Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategy.
Following feedback and to provide more time for consideration of the draft strategies, the consultation period has been extended to 15 February 2027.
The draft strategies remain available for review and feedback at:
• Have your say – draft NSW Snapper Harvest Strategy
• Have your say – draft NSW Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategy
As outlined in the consultation material, the draft strategies are supported by new independent stock assessment models for Snapper and Yellowtail Kingfish, which have been independently peer reviewed. In summary:
• Snapper biomass is estimated to be 23% of unfished levels. While the stock has previously been estimated at lower levels during the past 30 years, recent indicators suggest biomass is increasing.
• Yellowtail Kingfish biomass is estimated to be 5.5% of unfished biomass. The stock has remained at a low but relatively consistent level over the past two decades, indicating a need to reduce catches and rebuild the stock.
The draft strategies propose management arrangements to rebuild both stocks to 30% of unfished biomass in the short term, and 50% in the longer term. To support this, total annual catches are proposed to be maintained at or below 120 tonnes for Yellowtail Kingfish and 300 tonnes for Snapper, through measures applying across the recreational and commercial fishing sectors.
Submissions received by 15 February 2027 will be considered before the harvest strategies are finalised.
If you have any questions, I have asked Mr Nicholas Giles, Program Leader Resource Management, to be available to assist.