Tropical rock lobster closed season lifted
by Queensland Fisheries on 31 Jan 2012
Tropical rock lobster Department of Fisheries Queensland
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Queensland fishers can catch their feed of tropical rock lobsters, with the closed season being lifted on midnight 31 January 2012.
The closed season applies from 1 October to 31 January each year to all species of tropical rock lobster.
Fisheries Queensland recreational fishing manager Tony Ham said closures were in place to protect valuable breeding stock.
'Closed seasons or regulated waters prevent people from fishing at certain times of the year to protect species at vulnerable times in their life cycle, such as during spawning seasons,' he said.
Rock lobster closures are in place in Queensland tidal waters:
• north of latitude 14° S, south of Cape York, and east of longitude 142° 31´ 49' E
• in the Gulf of Carpentaria, shoreward of the 25 n mile line and south of latitude 10° 48´ S.'
A size limit applies to tropical rock lobster, also known as painted crayfish (Panulirus ornatus), of 11.5 cm tail minimum, 9 cm carapace minimum.
A bag limit also applies to the species:
• Above 14° south latitude: combined limit of 3 per person/6 per boat in total of all species
• Below 14° south latitude: combined limit of 5 per person/10 per boat in total of all species.
Recreational fishers should also be aware that they must not possess live tropical rock lobsters, and they must remove the central flap of the tail or puncture the flap with a hole of at least 10mm in diameter.
Catch the latest fishing rules online at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Latest fisheries information is also available via Twitter – www.twitter.com/fisheriesQLD or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FisheriesQueensland
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