Rock Lobster FAQs RECREATIONAL FISHERIES -

Answers to questions frequently asked by recreational fishers about the rules applying to taking rock lobster in Tasmania.

Catch Limits and days from camps at Extended Trips or in ‘live aboard’ vessels and return across the water. What are the catch limits There are no transiting for the rock lobster provisions to allow different fishery? catch limits between regions.

See bag and possession There is a possession limit limits for the Eastern and applying to the entire Tasmanian . Rock Lobster Regions Western Regions on the map on the back page or on the Different possession limits apply in the Eastern Region, Where are the regions for DPIPWE website at: www.fishing.tas.gov.au which are currently lower. the recreational rock Daily bag limits still apply. lobster fishery? When does a bag limit and possession limit apply? What if I live on one of the State fishing waters, islands within the Eastern including all islands, have How do people prove they are on an extended trip? Region such as Bruny or been divided into two rock Flinders ? lobster management regions, A bag limit is the number of the Eastern and Western You can not possess more Fishing Regions. See the fish that can be taken in any one calendar day (24 hour than the Eastern Region map on the back page. possession limit. The period commencing at midnight). The possession Eastern Region possession Does the line separating limit applies to all waters and the rock lobster regions limit is the amount of fish you can possess at any one time. all the islands within the separate mainland Eastern Region eastward of Tasmania? If you are on state waters with more than the daily bag Point Sorell (near Port Sorell) limit for that Region, you will and Whale Head on the No. The Regions apply to South Coast. the waters and islands need to establish that you have fished for more than contained within. The lines What possession limits separating the regions do not one day and not exceeded your daily bag limits. apply if I am in a shack extend through mainland such as at or Tasmania. The possession limit allows camping on one of the for fishing over a number of islands in the Eastern

Wild Fisheries Management Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Region like. Clarke or Eastern Region? Do the relatively high on the South and I also Eastern limits apply? Coast, management have rock lobster at home measures are designed so on mainland Tasmania Yes. While you are in the catch is limited on the East such as Launceston or Western Region you can Coast including the South ? have rock lobster numbers East and that these within the bag possession measures are less restrictive While you are in your shack and boat limit that apply to than if applied statewide. or camp, as you are in the the Western Region. Once Eastern Region you may you cross into the Eastern possess the amount for the Region, you must keep within rock lobster Eastern Region the Eastern Region limits. Possession Limit for possession limit. This can Non Fishers includes caufed fish. You Why aren’t arrangements in may possess rock lobster in place to allow Western See the back page and your home on mainland Region catch limits to be www.fishing.tas.gov.au for Tasmania providing that the taken across the Whale information on possession number you possess in the Head boundary into the limits for non-fishers. Eastern Region and Eastern Region? anywhere else in Tasmania does not exceed the Transiting arrangements mainland possession limit. between Regions were Special Rock Lobster considered during the rock Licence What if I live on mainland lobster review but were not Tasmania on the East introduced because any rules Coast such as at St Marys, would have been complicated and I tow my boat to the and increased policing costs West Coast to fish? and compliance risks. Regional management was a The Western Region daily less restrictive way of bag limit applies, as you are applying the limits needed to fishing the Western Region address East Coast stock as does the Western Region issues. possession limit. Eastern Special rock lobster licences Region limits do not apply as Some fishers have indicated are only issued for the you will not be in that region, that the different catch limits Western Region and allows a so if you fish longer than a and boundaries associated slightly higher possession day and have not exceeded with the South Coast may limit for a 14 day period. The the daily bag limits you encourage them to take licensee cannot fish for rock should abide by the Western compliance risks or have to lobster in the Eastern Region Region possession limit. This ‘throw fish back’. Fishers during the 14 day period of includes the number of rock should plan their fishing so the licence. lobster you possess they don’t find themselves in anywhere in Tasmania such a position where they need to How do I apply for a special as in your freezer at home release catch. You are rock lobster licence? and those that you possess allowed to dismember and driving back to your home. eat one rock lobster per A recreational fisher who licensed fisher, and that holds a rock lobster licence What if I fish in the Western these are included in the (either rock lobster dive, ring Region and want to return daily bag limits. or pot) may apply for only on water through to the one 14 day special rock Although catch rates may be lobster licence per season in

2 the Western Region. You Western Region – A person Irrespective of who uses the can buy this licence online or in charge of a vessel in the vessel not more than the total from Service Tasmania. The Western Region must ensure number of pots for that gear person applying nominates that not more than the limit can be used at any one the 14 day period. nominated boat limit for rock time. lobster are on the vessel. An What happens if I buy a extended fishing trip limit How do boat gear limits special licence and then I (more than 24 hours) also work if a boat is shared and can't fish during the applies. different people operate the nominated 14 day period? boat? Who is responsible for You may cancel or amend ensuring the boat limits are If a person in charge of a your special rock lobster adhered to? boat has set or allowed to be licence at Service Tasmania used the full boat gear limit or online prior to the The person in charge of the from the boat during a fishing commencement of the 14 day vessel. trip, they cannot use, set or licence period. Once the allow to be used any more licence period has started rock lobster pots until a you can't amend your licence number of pots have been and you can't fish for rock Boat Gear Limits retrieved and removed from lobster in the Eastern Region. State waters. If one of these Boat gear limits apply to the pots are taken back to land, Can I still go out in a boat number of rock lobster rings then the boat can take a in the Eastern Region and pots that can be ‘new’ fisher out to set their during the 14 day period of possessed or used from a pot. my special licence? boat. See the current boat gear limits at Why are there boat limits? Yes, you can fish for other www.fishing.tas.gov.au. species, however you cannot The introduction of boat limits use any rock lobster gear or Who is responsible for aims to confine non- fish for rock lobster. ensuring the boat gear commercial fishing activities limits are adhered to? within the spirit of recreational fishing. This The person in charge of the type of fishing should reflect Boat Limits vessel. a non-commercial fishing operation that does not There are limits on the Does the boat gear limit provide significant number of rock lobster that include the pots set in the opportunities for illegal can be on a boat. See the water? fishing. current boat limits for each region on the back page. Yes. Boat limits are intended to limit the overall recreational Eastern Region – A person What happens if another fishing catch and prevent the in charge of a vessel in the person uses the boat circumvention of personal Eastern Region must ensure including taking charge of daily bag limits or possession that not more than the the vessel and starting a limits by individual fishers nominated boat limit for rock new fishing trip? through the carrying of non- lobster are on the vessel. An fishing crew in a boat. The extended fishing trip limit The boat gear limit includes individual gear, bag and (more than 24 hours) also all rock lobster pots being possession limits still apply. applies. used from the vessel. Boat limits can also be a

3 useful management tool as No. they provide the capacity to limit the potential for localised Do I have to set or pull my Size Limits depletion. Localised depletion own pot? can occur as a consequence The minimum legal size that of the fishing impact of The licence holder or applies for rock lobster is the vessels with a large number aboriginal fisher must be length of the carapace or of fishers on-board, whether participating in the fishing shell – see current size from charter or private activity. For example a light limits.at vessels. bodied person or a person www.fishing.tas.gov.au. with a disability may need In the case of these vessels, assistance in pulling or The length is obtained by such limits are appropriate as setting their gear. measuring the rock lobster the expertise of the vessel from the gap between the operator associated with You need to consider that a antennal horns to the rear of modern fishing and person in control of fishing the carapace. navigational aids potentially gear may be deemed in increases the amount of possession of that gear. catch. Therefore a person could be considered to be using excess gear if they are controlling gear that is owned Hauling Pots by someone else. Reasonable discretion and practicality should apply.

Can fishers share rock lobster pots by changing the marker buoy on a pot Free rock lobster measuring that was previously set by gauges are available at another person? Service Tasmania. They are also available from the

First, you must ensure that Fishcare Tasmania trailers. Metal gauges can also be What happens if the the licence holder is on board purchased from tackle shops. weather is too rough and I the boat when the pots are cannot retrieve my pot? possessed on the boat or being set or retrieved. A When do I need to measure and release undersize rock Your safety is important. If fisher can retrieve their rock lobster? you cannot retrieve your gear lobster pot and remove their due to bad weather, wait until marker buoys. Another fisher It is illegal to take or possess the weather improves. If it will can then set the rock lobster undersize rock lobster. be more than 48 hours, pot using their marker buoys. Obviously, at times you will phone Fishwatch on 0427 catch an undersize fish, so 655 557 and provide your Can both rock lobster rings you should release it as soon details including your licence and pots be used from the as practical such as when number. same boat? you pull your pot and there

Irrespective of the size of the are undersize rock lobster. Release them as quickly and Can someone set or pull vessel, private or charter, gently as soon as you can my rock lobster pot without boat operators can carry the over the reef area they were me on the boat? full boat gear limit of both pots and rings. taken from. Do not throw

4 them up in the air. If you have Can a fisher use rock separate compartments and drifted off the reef, keep them lobster pots or rings or possibly a door. The aside and immediately go to dive at the same time? compartments could be the reef to release them. To labelled with plastic card increase the survival of Yes. Providing they are which is attached inside the released fish, don’t hold rock licensed. Divers cannot place compartment with electrical lobster in the wind or heat on any rock lobster in a set pot ties. the deck of a boat, or release or remove rock lobster them over sand. underwater. They must keep Does each person need to within the catch limits. use marker bouys? When taking rock lobster by diving, measure them in the Yes. Each person that uses a water and return it to the cauf must attach a yellow crevice it was taken. Recheck Rock Lobster Caufs marker buoy that is the your catch when you get standard size which has their back to the boat or shore. licence number or unique identifying code in the case of Can I take more than the Aboriginal fishers in standard catch limit and sort my lettering. catch later? Can someone remove rock You must sort your catch as lobster from the cauf on my soon as practical. This behalf? means releasing all undersize and berried rock You must be present and lobster, as well as keeping participate in placing or within your individual catch removing your rock lobster limits. For divers, this means from the fish cauf. There are that you should measure your What are the rules when a number of reasons for this; catch as you go because you storing lobster in a cauf? including that a person who cannot exceed your bag limit. has rock lobster in their It is not an excuse to say that Fishers may only use one control may be deemed to you have taken more than fish cauf - see specifications possess more rock lobster the bag limit and were going at www.fishing.tas.gov.au. than their possession limit to release the smaller ones If a fish cauf is used by more allows. (known as ‘high grading’) or than one person, each undersize fish once getting fisher’s rock lobster must be Do fish need to be back to the boat or shore. placed into separate separated in the well of a compartments. Each boat? compartment must be marked with the fisher’s The well of a boat is not a Diving for Rock licence number or unique fish cauf. The rule relating to Lobster identification code. separation of catch in to separate compartments only What gear can I use when How do I separate rock applies to fish caufs. Holding diving for rock lobster. lobster in a cauf? fish in a well of a boat is the same as if they are held on The possession of a noose There is no prescribed way to any other part of the vessel. on a vessel (unless it is being make separate Bag and possession limits used for game fishing) and compartments in a cauf. One apply. the possession of a crook suggestion is to use wire when diving is banned. mesh and tie wire to form

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Gifting Rock Lobster On a boat only one rock Eastern (Green) Rock lobster can be cut up ready Lobster If I give away rock lobster, for eating per licensed fisher. does it count toward my This rock lobster is counted bag limit? in the fisher’s daily bag limit.

Yes. The bag limit is the amount of fish you can personally take in one day. Seasons

Can I swap rock lobster for What are the season open something in return such dates for recreational rock Do the catch and size limits as for a slab of beer? lobster? apply to Eastern (Green) Rock lobster? No, if you barter goods in The recreational rock lobster exchange for fish that have fishery in the Eastern Region Eastern (green) rock lobster not been caught will open on the third (Jasus verreauxi) have a commercially, it is considered Saturday in November each green body and brownish- the same as if you sold the year. The season start is orange legs. They are found fish. Both the person that unchanged for the Western along the east coast of receives the reward and the Region and opens on the first including around the fish are liable for prosecution. Saturday in November each north and east coasts of year. Current season dates Tasmania. They are Can our club raffle rock are at: considerably less common in lobster? www.fishing.tas.gov.au/rec/ Tasmanian waters than the seasons southern rock lobster (Jasus Recreational fish cannot be edwardsii). raffled because under the Can you possess rock Living Marine Resources lobster pots in an area Tasmanian rock lobster rules Management Act 1995 this is having a closed season? apply to all rock lobster of defined as a commercial the genus Jasus so the rules transaction where reward is You may only possess a rock applying to southern rock involved. lobster pot on state waters lobster also apply to eastern from 6 am and set a pot after rock lobster as well. If the lobster are bought or 1 pm the day before the donated from the commercial season opens for that area. fishery they can be raffled. Pots may then be pulled after They are counted as part of midnight when the season is Management Changes the commercial quota system officially open. and are marked with Why have there been catch commercial tags. A receipt Fishers should be aware that reductions for rock should be provided. having pots aboard their boat lobster? may affect their ability to transit to open areas. Rock lobster stocks have been in decline over the past Eating Rock Lobster on five years. a Boat Why has the recreational Can I eat rock lobster on a season open date changed boat? for the Eastern Region?

Yes, with conditions.

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Consultation on season dates every two years. These statewide, the area was part of the rock lobster surveys have been management approach is fishery review held between conducted since the late 90s intended to have less impact 2009 and 2011. The final and provide estimates of while meeting the report recommended days fished by fishing management objective. targeted management methods (dive, pot, ring) for changes for the East Coast areas around Tasmania. The Isn’t the East Coast fishery. Lower catch limits survey methodology has important to recreational were implemented for the been improved over time by fishers? Eastern Region but season increasing the statewide and adjustments were held over. regional sample size. The East Coast is important These are part of a package for the recreational fishery of additional catch limitations The survey results for the because around 70% of the for the recreational and 2012/13 season will be total recreational rock lobster commercial sectors. published in early 2014. The catch is taken from the next survey is planned for Eastern Region. Therefore Why does it seem as November 2014/15. recreational fishers are likely though most of the cuts to benefit from additional have been made to the Why has the recreational sustainability measures. recreational fishery? rock lobster season been reduced? Will there be more changes Commercial fishers have also or cuts to recreational taken significant cuts to their The report to the Minister on fishery? total catch. Their Total the rock lobster review Allowable Commercial Catch flagged that shortening the Even with the new rules in (TACC) has been reduced. recreational season will be place, a cautious approach to The TACC is reviewed considered along with other managing this fishery is annually. There are also measures for the East Coast. necessary due to declining moves to limit the total The recommendation for stock levels. The fishery will commercial catch for the East reduced Eastern Region bag continue to be monitored and Coast by introducing a limits was made on the basis adjustments considered if commercial catch cap. that a season reduction also necessary. The Department be considered if necessary. is also investigating whether How does the Department The alternative was a lower an individual maximum know how much the bag limit without the season season limit is appropriate. recreational sector fishers reduction. take? More information at: Why have all these lines In Tasmania, scientifically been drawn on the water? www.fishing.tas.gov.au designed surveys provide estimates of recreational The purpose of area Download the interactive fishing participation and catch management is to target Tasmanian Sea Fishing by sampling a proportion of management actions at the Guide phone app for licence holders. The most affected fishing area iPhone and Android. sampled fishers are engaged and limit the fishing impacts www.fishing.tas.gov.au/ for a 12 month period, issued on other areas. There are phoneapp a diary to complete and consequences of area contacted regularly by phone management and boundary by a trained interviewer. lines, particularly in regard to Pick up at copy of the compliance risks. Balanced Recreational Sea Fishing Around 1000 rock lobster against applying the Guide from Service licence holders are contacted management actions Tasmania.

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Rock Lobster Regions

Recreational Fisheries Section Phone: 1300 720 647 Facebook: www.facebook.com/FisheriesTasmania Email: [email protected] Visit: www.fishing.tas.gov.au