Have the NT reef closures worked?

[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

[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.

[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

[Fruity]

Have to be of some benefit if it Stops, Charter Boats from Cullen Bay flogging the same spots.

[Matt Flynn]

80 views, two votes = fishos don't know

[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

[Lats]

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

Or 2 good wets back to back

[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.

[Matt Flynn]

I guess the simplest way to look at it is, given the good reports of golden snapper and jewies, they have worked.

[AM]

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.

[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

[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.

[fish4me123]

If jew grow so quickly. Why are the bags so low??

[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

[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.