Tasmanian Rock Lobster fishery, new rules and regulations

by Carl Hyland on 26 Sep 2011

Lobster - tasmanian rock lobster Carl Hyland

It’s a sad fact that owing to sweeping changes, Tasmania’s once flourishing rock lobster fishery is now in serious trouble.

A lot of recreational anglers are turning their pots into garden ornaments.

Pots are now garden ornaments - tasmanian rock lobster © Carl Hyland

The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green said a new plan utilised the latest research in Tasmania's rock lobster fishery together with the findings of an extensive public consultation process to produce a plan that focuses on providing a sustainable fishery into the future.

The rock lobster fishery has faced significant challenges over recent years - including a decline in stock over the last five years. Following the introduction of quota in 1998, stock had been rebuilding in a positive manner. However, since 2006 rock lobster stock levels have declined. The fishery has experienced a prolonged period where recruitment of juvenile lobsters has been poor. Although measures have been put in place over recent years to counter some of the challenges facing the fishery, it was necessary to continue to manage this fishery appropriately so it is sustainable for recreational and commercial fishermen in future years.

Mr Green said the review and consultation period has been timely to look at all the issues facing the fishery and identify the best measures for the appropriate management for this significant fishery. The new management plan presents the best and most balanced response to all issues given that the concerns presented by the rock lobster industry and recreational fishery were very challenging.

The proposal for a new maximum size limit for rock lobster in the eastern half of the State has not been implemented. The measure had been proposed to address increasing populations of the long spined sea urchin. The rationale for the proposal was to protect the numbers of large rock lobster that predate on the long spined sea urchin. However, given the importance and sensitivity of the issue, the most up to date and comprehensive scientific information was sought prior to the finalisation of the management plan, with the latest modelling suggesting the benefit of the maximum size limit would be relatively small, particularly in comparison to other options that the Minister has asked the Department to now pursue. These options will focus on attempting to rebuild the biomass of lobsters on the east and southeast coasts.

Some of the sweeping changes that have been implemented for the coming recreational lobster season which kickc off on the 5th November 2011 and runs until 31st August 2012 (males) are bag limits have changed, in the Eastern region of the state, the limit had been reduced from five to three Rock lobster and there was no change in the Western region.

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There is a boat limit per person in the Eastern area, a maximum of 15 lobster for a day trip and 30 for an extended trip and in the Western region, a maximum of 25 rl for a day trip and 50 for an extended trip. (Possession only), there is also a gear limit where only 5 rock lobster pots and 20 rings may be carried on board a vessel at any one time.

Whilst the changes are necessary according to the Minister, many anglers aren’t going to bother this year, some say a 40%reduction in catch quota is too much and the license fees haven’t dropped by 40% so they are hanging up their pots for the time being. The catch limit set in last years for the commercial sector remains unchanged.