Recreational fishers should be aware of several important updates to South Australia’s fishing rules, including changes to closures and catch limits across key species, which take effect from today, 1 May 2026.
Key rules as of 1 May 2026:
- Blue Crab (all areas): OPEN: no reductions in catch limits (bag 20, boat 60)
- Southern Calamari (GSV/KI and SG): CLOSED
- Southern Garfish (GSV/KI): CLOSED
- Southern Garfish (SG): No change (bag 30, boat 90)
- King George Whiting (GSV/KI): reductions in catch limits remains (bag 5, boat 15) Spawning spatial closure from 1 April to 31 July each year
- King George Whiting (SG): OPEN: no reductions in catch limits (bag 10, boat 30) Spawning spatial closure from 1 April to 31 July each year
- Snapper (GSV/KI, SG, WC): Extended current closure to 30 June 2027
- Other species (All zones): No change (see species pages on the website or SA Fishing App for up-to-date limits).
Arrangements are also in place for commercial and charter boat fishers. For more information, see algal bloom testing results continue positive trend.
More information is available on the PIRSA website or see the SA Fishing App. Updated limits for quick lookup are now available online.
Recreational fishers are encouraged to assist the recovery effort by reporting their catches via the SA Fishing app.
King George Whiting:
A spawning spatial closure for King George Whiting in is in place for Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf from 1 April to 31 July each year. During the closure, the targeting, take and possession of King George Whiting by all fishers is prohibited in the waters of the closure area.
More information is available on the PIRSA website.
Image: King George Whiting spawning spatial closure map.