New fishing arrangements for dogfish (deep water sharks) in NSW

New fishing arrangements have been implemented in NSW to assist with the rebuilding of Harrisson’s Dogfish (Centrophorus harrissoni) and Southern Dogfish (Centrophorus zeehaani) populations and to provide protection for other dogfish species in NSW waters.

These arrangements form part of the NSW Strategy to assist with the rebuilding of Harrisson's and Southern dogfish  220Kb.

Dogfish are a group of small to medium sized deepwater shark species. Dogfish species are not commonly targeted by most recreational fishers but may occasionally be caught as a bycatch when fishers are targeting other more highly valued species such as Bar Cod, Blue-eye Cod and Gemfish. Some species of dogfish are also caught by commercial fishers in the NSW Ocean Trap and Line and the Ocean Trawl Fisheries.

Harrisson’s Dogfish

A fishing closure has been implemented to prohibit the take of both Harrisson’s and Southern Dogfish (i.e. zero bag and possession limit) by recreational and commercial fishers. The recreational bag limit for all other dogfish shark species has also been reduced from five to a combined bag limit of two.

Trip limits for other dogfish species also apply to commercial fishers, along with a series of new fishing closures restricting certain fishing areas and methods.

Southern Dogfish

These new fishing arrangements are necessary as research studies have indicated that the east coast populations of Harrisson’s and Southern Dogfish are at only 10% of their unfished biomass.

More information on new recreational fishing arrangements for dogfish.

Section 8 closure notification  34Kb.

For more information relating to new commercial fishing arrangements, please contact Veronica Silberschneider on (02) 9435 4679 or email: veronica.silberschneider@dpi.nsw.gov.au.