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Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 3:52 pm
by Matt Flynn
The NT reef closures were introduced in May 2015 to allow stocks of golden snapper and jewfish to recuperate. The closures were quite controversial.

There seems to be no shortage of jewies and snapper about, have the zones worked?

https://nt.gov.au/marine/recreational-f ... tion-areas

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 4:41 pm
by NinjaFish
I believe the closures have made a difference maybe due to fish moving off as they've grown.

Seem to find them easier now outside of the closed areas.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:15 pm
by Lats
Impossible to tell. Increased catches close by could be down to so many other variables. As to increased fish numbers on closed areas, 2 years ago I went through a closed area on my way to a fishing spot and sounded a mark. It was stacked up big time with fish. And that is only 1 year after the closure. There is no way that is due to rejuvenation. If I went back today, the chances of seeing so many fish would be slim. My bet is after 5 years they will remain closed

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:49 am
by Fruity
Have to be of some benefit if it Stops, Charter Boats from Cullen Bay flogging the same spots.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:42 am
by Matt Flynn
80 views, two votes = fishos don't know

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:01 pm
by jeffish
Unsure but I reckon its worked to some degree as numbers seem to be up with plenty of jew and snapper around .

But it could also have something to do with me not being out there as much as in previous years :rofl: :catch:

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:06 pm
by Lats
jeffish wrote:Unsure but I reckon its worked to some degree as numbers seem to be up with plenty of jew and snapper around .

But it could also have something to do with me not being out there as much as in previous years :rofl: :catch:
Or 2 good wets back to back

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:11 pm
by NinjaFish
I put some thought into the variables and realise now that I've tried harder to find fish outside of the closed zones since they were introduced instead of just belting right in there. The fish were probably always there in the (my) overlooked areas in the first place.

I think I was the first to vote in the poll but it seems it mightn't have registered so I will vote again. I believe it has made, or has to, make a difference - based on common sense thinking.

The Charter boys have found fish for their customers outside of these areas too, so keeping them closed for a while yet can't be a bad thing so as to sustain a resource for everyone's future, not just for today's ease and greed.

By the way, I was just as disappointed when the no fish zones were introduced.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 10:30 pm
by Matt Flynn
I guess the simplest way to look at it is, given the good reports of golden snapper and jewies, they have worked.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 5:24 am
by AM
Matt Flynn wrote:I guess the simplest way to look at it is, given the good reports of golden snapper and jewies, they have worked.
Matt the logic you apply is infinitely less simplistic than that used to frame and justify the legislation that the dreamers came up with those few years ago.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:08 am
by fish4me123
It only occurred 2015 so any fish born would be small. Some seasons are better than some. The jew of shady are thick as flies and this has nothing to do with closure

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 8:38 am
by Matt Flynn
Jewies grow very quickly, to a metre in three years or so. But snapper grow very slowly.

Noted re Shady. Closed areas might have helped in other ways, providing an area where adult fish can accumulate.

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 6:55 am
by fish4me123
If jew grow so quickly. Why are the bags so low??

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 7:34 am
by theodosius
They aggregate and are residential to an area so they're easy to wipe out.

As for the reef fishing, it'll be years before we really know

Re: Have the NT reef closures worked?

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:31 pm
by Matt Flynn
Just bumping this, as rumour is that the closures have not worked, at least in rejuvenating the golden snapper stock within the closed areas.

More will be revealed at the AFANT meeting on March 28.

Anecdotally, plenty of people are telling me they are catching snapper off Darwin, so the situation does not seem to be dire. It will be interesting to hear the Fisheries analysis.