Fishing for snapper in South Australia may be banned until 2023 to allow "decimated" populations to recover.

Key points: Snapper stocks are declining in SA waters, and there is a risk they could vanish altogether, the Minister says

Snapper stocks are declining in SA waters, and there is a risk they could vanish altogether, the Minister says The State Government is proposing a three-year ban on snapper fishing, acknowledging the impact on commercial fishers

The State Government is proposing a three-year ban on snapper fishing, acknowledging the impact on commercial fishers Most of Australia's snapper production comes from SA

The State Government said stocks have declined by 87 per cent in Gulf St Vincent, and 23 per cent in the Spencer Gulf.

A statewide closure from October this year until February 2023 has been proposed in a consultation paper released by Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone, with the possibility that a limited season could be opened in the south-east.

Mr Whetstone said if urgent steps are not taken, the iconic species could vanish from South Australia altogether.

"There is action that needs to be taken immediately," he said.

"It will show us that if we can put full closure of water in South Australia in place, we can protect one of the iconic species here in our waters."

He conceded it would have an impact on commercial fishers.

"They know that the stocks are in severe decline, and if they want fish to catch for another year, for the next generation to be able to catch snapper, they have to act now," he said.

"It's been ignored for a long, long time."

Fishers urged to target other species

Mr Whetstone said the proposed ban would only target snapper, which are prized for their size and tasty flesh.

"I encourage fishers to look at other species, such as tommy ruff, snook, yellowfin whiting, yelloweye mullet, silver trevally, Western Australian salmon, mulloway, flathead, golden perch and leather jackets, which all offer great eating and enjoyable catching experiences," he said.

According to Primary Industries and Regions SA, most of Australia's commercial snapper production comes out of the state.

The state's commercial catch fell from a peak of 1,035 tonnes in 2010 to 339 tonnes in 2017, according to the department.

About 62 per cent of snapper caught in the state are snagged by commercial fishers, and the rest by recreational fishers.

Temporary snapper fishing bans are already in place in parts of the Spencer Gulf until December 15.