Rock lobster catch reporting
by Department of NRE Tasmania 20 Sep 2023 11:30 AEST
Rock lobster catch reporting © Department of NRE Tasmania
The recreational rock lobster season opens for waters outside the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone in just over a month.
So dust off your pots, check your boat and safety gear, and start planning your trip - here's what you need to know ahead of the 2023/24 rock lobster season.
Season dates
Waters outside the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone
Open Saturday, 4 November 2023
East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone
Open Saturday, 2 December 2023
Rock lobster catch reporting required
From 1 November 2023, all recreational fishers will be required to report their rock lobster catch by making:
- a Going Fishing Report - Up to 24 hours before you plan to go fishing and;
- a Catch Report - After fishing, before you leave your point of landing (the boat ramp or beach where you've returned to shore after fishing).
You must make these reports, even if you don't catch any rock lobster.
You can make your reports using the new Fishing Tas app, which replaces the Tas Fish Guide app and Rock Lobster Catch Monitoring Trial app. If you don't have the Fishing Tas app, another rock lobster fisher can report on your behalf, or you can use the telephone reporting service (1300 720 647).
The Fishing Tas app will be available for download from the App Store and Google Play from 16 October.
Rock lobster is an important species to the recreational fishing community. By having every fisher report their catch, we can improve our understanding of the value of recreational rock lobster fishing. This will help us equitably manage the fishery into the future.
For more information about catch reporting, such as:
- how to report when there's no reception;
- why catch reporting is mandatory; and
- how your fishing data will be stored and used,
Read more here...
Marine heatwave
Tasmania is forecast to experience a severe marine heatwave this summer.
Hot water means stressed lobsters, so it's important to take extra care when handling your catch.
- Handle lobsters carefully with gloves
- When you're diving, size up the lobster before taking so you don't accidentally damage an undersize lobster
- Limit how long lobster are out of the water
- Put lobster you're not keeping back gently
Reminder: Rules changes from last season
New rock lobster rules came into effect last season, including size limit zones, changes to tail-marking requirements and transit reports. Make sure you know the rules where you're fishing.