Can you catch grouper in Australia?

Can you catch grouper in Australia?

It’s illegal to catch one, but the iconic Queensland groper is destined for dinner plates across Australia and Asia. The fish, called a giant grouper in other parts of the world, is classified as a threatened species and a no-take fish in Australian waters.

Can you keep blue groper in NSW?

NSW DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said there are strict rules for catching Blue Groper in NSW. A recreational fishing licence must be held for all methods of fishing in NSW. In NSW Groper can be only taken by using a rod and line or a handline.

Where are grouper found in Australia?

In Australia it is found from Rottnest Island in Western Australia north and east along the tropical coasts of Australia, including offshore reefs, and then south along the eastern coast to Woy Woy, New South Wales.

Where can I find blue grouper?

Where to fish. Eastern blue groper live along most rocky areas of the coastline from southern Queensland to Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria. Another closely related species the Western blue groper looks very similar and can be found from South Australia to southern Western Australia.

Is Blue grouper good to eat?

Big groper are slow growing and can be susceptible to fishing pressure. They are fantastic eating but I rarely take one for the table. I believe releasing them for the future is a good insurance policy to help maintain this reborn ‘white-knuckle’ fishery.

Can blue groper catch?

Attaining a maximum size of around 25kg and 1.2m in length, the eastern blue groper is a formidable fish whether encountered as by-catch while general bait fishing or indeed targeted by anglers.

Can you shoot groper in NSW?

Spear fishers are being reminded that Blue Groper are off limits in New South Wales. The warning comes after a Queensland man was fined more than $3,600 for illegally spearing the iconic species. The 59-year-old former Australian record holder was caught with six of the fish after diving off Evans Head last April.

Can you spear blue groper?

Blue groper are protected from spearfishing and anyone who spears one can face a maximum penalty of $22,000 and six months in prison.

Are grouper protected in NSW?

Giant Queensland groper (or grouper), also known as the giant groper or Queensland groper, is one of the largest reef-dwelling fish in the world. Giant Queensland gropers are listed as protected fish in NSW under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Can a grouper eat a human?

In fact, many people familiar with them call the fish “gentle giants.” It’s still smart to stay away from fully grown goliath groupers. They could eat a person if they wanted to! However, in general, it’s the fish that are threatened by humans, not the other way around.

What does a blue groper look like?

Characteristics. Yellow lines around eyes, prominent fleshy lips and large peg-like teeth. The colour is very variable with adults: males a vivid blue, females reddish brown and the juveniles a greyish brown, brownish orange or green. Diet consists of crabs, prawns, shellfish and sea urchins.