black-tipped cod size litmit???

[brenno360]

hi guys just wondeing if anyone can help me out on what the actual size limit is for the black-tipped cod, i have caught heaps of them n usually throw them back because i can never seem to find what there min size is...

cheers brenno

[murf]

Epinephelus fasciatus?

only grow to about 36cm long

cheers murf

[Captain Incredible]

The minimum size on all Cod species is 38 cm. The only variation comes with larger minimum sizes such as Maori Cod (45 cm min) & a couple of others at 50 cm.

I reckon that there should be a minimum size of 25 cm on Black Tipped Cod. The current 38 cm minimum constitutes a "no take" category for the species. Ern Grant in the Bible reckons they taste pretty good also. I am all for a joint submission from rec & charter organisations to move for a reduction in the minimum legal size of these critters to 25 cm. As a part of that same submission, the legal size of Maori Cod should be dropped to 38 cm due to the susceptability of these fish to barotrauma. Maoris are almost impossible to release alive from the 60 metres plus I usually fish. It is a complete waste of a resource to release 40 cm fish floating belly up in the current.

Any support on this from the Ecofishers and Sunfish (Judy, etc) on both these size changes? When the size limits of Amberjack, Samson fish & Dolphin fish were reduced through a General Fisheries Permit after lobbying by the charter sector there were comments made that recreational groups should have been consulted first. This might be a good basis for a joint submission where everyone can feel like a winner.

(Sorry Breno, I am not trying to hijack your thread. I reckon the current size of 38 cm is unreachable- 25 cm would bring the minimum in line with Tropical Snappers and allow you, me and everyone else who throws heaps of these critters back every year, the chance of keeping a couple for a feed.)

The head of one of those little Cod is just visible on the bottom hook.
Cheers,

Keith

[murf]

they are tasty we catch a fair few of them down here at Coffs but as you say its sad to waste them when caught up in QLD

I used to hold the Australian Anglers record for them many years ago (woopti doo dah day haha) don't know what its up to now though

cheers Murf