A marine conservation group is concerned that Tasmanian foreshores are being damaged through unsustainable seafood harvesting. However, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) says it is doing plenty of work in educating the public on sustainable seafood harvesting practices. Marine Life Network and Tasmanians for Marine Parks Coordinator Mike Jacques said there has been an increase in the foreshore collection of shelled sea snails and other intertidal animals. "We have reports from as far afield as Taroona in the Derwent and Don Heads in Devonport that the seashore has been stripped of all edible life," Mr Jacques said. "Particularly in overseas cultures, small foreshore seasnails are considered a delicacy." Mr Jacques said Tasmania had low volumes of quick-growing seashells on intertidal reefs. "Most foreshore shells are tiny, and huge volumes have to be collected for a single pot. "Even a small group of people can strip an intertidal area of life, and it can take many years to recover. "This kind of fishing activity is environmentally damaging and is entirely unsustainable. It also isn't valuable economically or for recreation." Mr Jacques said more needed to be done. "The government already has some measures in place, including catch and possession limits, but these rules appear to be openly flouted. "When confronted by our members, who have explained the rules - including showing text in the collector's language - the collectors feign ignorance. "We ask that intertidal collecting of native marine animals be banned completely, other than for research, because education and enforcement resources are too limited to ever make this a fishery capable of sustainable management. "Feral oysters and mussels, on the other hand, could continue to be harvested." An NRE Tas spokesperson said there was a daily bag limit of 20 fish for most shellfish and that there were no proposed changes to regulations, but the rules will expire in 2027 and need to be reviewed. "NRE Tas publishes a Recreational Fishing Guide/Handbook, a Fisheries Tas App, and the Fisheries website contains information about fishing for shellfish and relevant limits. "NRE Tas also undertakes a range of engagement activities through its Fishcare program. "Information provided through these methods includes considerations for culturally and linguistically diverse fishers." NRE Tas urged the public to be familiar with the species they are catching and bag limits. "When harvesting, it is important for people to spread harvesting across the area to avoid localised depletions and to avoid commonly harvested areas when necessary, as advised through the Fisheries website. "The bag limits rules are enforced by Tasmania Police. "It is important to note that the Department of Health warns against collecting and eating wild shellfish in Tasmania and advises that shellfish collected in Hobart's Derwent Estuary and Launceston's Tamar Estuary are unsafe to eat because the shellfish concentrate the heavy metals present in these waters." Anyone who witnesses illegal harvesting should report the activity to Fishwatch on 0427 655 557. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
