South Australia’s recreational fishing community is in uproar after the state government imposed new catch limits.

The restrictions, which will come into effect on November 1, apply to both the Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent and come just as retail stores say trade has been improving. 

Uncertainty surrounding the state’s devastating algal bloom has amplified anxieties, raising fears that the restrictions may extend beyond their current June 30 expiration date.

Bag cuts are now in place for recreational fishing in the two gulfs, but restrictions only apply to commercial fishers in Gulf St Vincent.Bag cuts are now in place for recreational fishing in the two gulfs, but restrictions only apply to commercial fishers in Gulf St Vincent. (Nine)

“Everyone feels blindsided, there needs to be a larger consultation period,” RecFish SA chair Andrew Harris said.

Bag cuts are now in place for recreational fishing in the two gulfs, but restrictions only apply to commercial fishers in Gulf St Vincent.

“If the science identifies that there is a need to have such reductions in both GSV and Spencer Gulf, then that needs to be appropriately disseminated across both industries,” Harris said.

“We’re being asked to trust, trust, trust, but at the end of the day, it’s always been take, take, take.” 

The restrictions have also drawn criticism from businesses reliant on recreational fishing.

Codey Marchesi from Spot On Fishing & Tackle in Port Lincoln described the situation as “another really big kick in the teeth for small business in South Australia.” 

South Australia's recreational fishing community is in uproar after the state government imposed new catch limits.South Australia’s recreational fishing community is in uproar after the state government imposed new catch limits. (Nine)

“We’ve already had dozens of customers in today saying they’re not gonna bother going to the group to go fishing to catch five whiting,” he said.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison defended the government’s decision.

“We’ve had to make some tough decisions, and we’ve made those decisions with the future in mind,” she said.

But not everyone has criticised the move, with some anglers still getting out on the water this morning.

“The fish stocks out here are pretty much heavily affected, and I think it was a no-brainer  – they had to do it,” fisherman Rob Christiansen said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.