Harvest changes to help secure pipi stocks

Following a recovery in pipi numbers on most NSW beaches, a six month closure of all beaches to pipi harvesting will end on 1 June when new harvest arrangements are introduced.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Executive Director of Fisheries, Geoff Allan, said the pipi fishery was closed to commercial harvest on 1 December 2011 in response to concerns about a decline in the State’s pipi stocks.

“The commercial pipi harvest closure will end on 1 June 2012 as recent surveys indicate there has been a recovery in pipi numbers on most NSW beaches,” Dr Allan said.

“However, to maintain this recovery, new additional management measures will apply for all commercial fishers authorised to harvest pipis.

“A new minimum size limit of 45 millimetres will apply, as well as a new limit restricting the daily take to 40 kilograms.”

Dr Allan said while there are positive signs that pipi numbers appear to be rebounding on many beaches, there are still some concerns for Stockton and South Ballina beaches.

“Large areas of Stockton and South Ballina beaches will therefore remain closed to commercial harvesting while additional monitoring occurs,” Dr Allan said.

“Daily catch and effort records must be submitted for checking on a monthly basis, along with water sampling requirements under biotoxin management plans.

A new NSW DPI research project, partially funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, has commenced to develop better techniques to assess pipi populations.

“This is one of the key ways to better understand factors affecting pipi abundance and allow more adaptive management.

“The Department is also currently working with commercial harvesters to obtain additional information on pipi numbers and will continue to seek advice from recreational and indigenous users.

“This continued collaboration will be crucial to the ongoing sustainable management of pipi stocks.

“We will continue to monitor pipi stocks throughout the year to assess the need for future closures,” Dr Allan said.

Arrangements for recreational fishers will remain unchanged with a maximum of 50 pipis permitted to be collected for bait purposes only (due to biotoxin management requirements) and within 50 metres of the high tide mark.

For more information go to www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au 

Email: