Southern rock lobster are distributed widely across southern Australia and are one of our most sought after seafood delicacies.

To ensure the long term health of our rock lobster stocks there are a number of rules that have been put in place. They allow reasonable access to the resource but at the same time ensure we will have fish for the future.

This pamphlet explains the rules that currently apply to rock lobster fishing but this information is subject to change. For the latest information contact your local Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA) Fisheries Office or visit our web site at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing.

Seasons

In South Australia, the rock lobster fishery is divided into two zones and has an open and closed season.

The northern zone is the area from longitude 1390E, (located just east of the Murray mouth) to the Western Australia border, including Kangaroo Island. The taking of rock lobster in the northern zone is prohibited between 6:00pm 31 May and 12:00 noon 1 November.

The southern zone is from longitude 1390E, east to the Victorian border. The taking of rock lobster in the southern zone is prohibited between 6:00 pm 31 May and 6:00 am 1 October.

Rock lobster must not be taken and rock lobster pots must not be set outside of the open season.

Size limit

The minimum legal size for rock lobster caught in the northern zone is 10.5 centimetres. In the southern zone the minimum legal size is 9.85 centimetres.

Rock lobster must be measured along the middle and on the top of the carapace (main body shell) from the front edge of the groove between the antennae (frontal tubercule) to the rear edge of the carapace, but not including any hairs attached to the carapace. Any measuring device must fit firmly into the groove between the antennae.  

Bag Limit

A maximum of 4 rock lobster per person per day may be taken regardless of how taken.

Boat Limit

When fishing from a boat a maximum of 8 rock lobster per day may be taken. Where the rock lobster have been taken by only one person, whether by diving or drop net, hoop net or registered rock lobster pot, then no more than one personal bag limit of 4 rock lobsters may be taken.

Other important information

To take rock lobster you may use up to 2 (registered) pots OR 3 drop nets OR 3 hoop nets per person at a time. This means that your registered pots must be removed from the water if you are using hoop OR drop nets. All these devices must conform to the legal specifications.

If you are using rock lobster pots OR hoop nets OR drop nets, you are not entitled to use any other fishing equipment other than a fishing rod or hand line.

There is no limit to the number of times pots, drop nets or hoop nets may be checked from the one boat in any one day. Any number of registered pots, drop or hoop nets may be used from the one boat as long as the owner or in the case of rock lobster pots, the registered owner, is on board the vessel. However daily bag and boat limits still apply. Recreational fishers are not permitted to sell their catch.

Protected areas

Apart from seasonal closures, there are rock lobster sanctuaries where rock lobster are totally protected at all times. These are:

• Cape Jaffa
• Margaret Brock Reef (within .55n miles of the light)
• Rivoli Bay, including Penguin Island (from Glen Point to Cape Martin)
• Gleason Landing
• All aquatic reserves
• Port MacDonnell Breakwater - restrictions apply to the use of rock lobster pots, hoop nets and drop nets around the Breakwater Details of these sanctuaries and closures can be obtained from your local PIRSA Fisheries Office or from the PIRSA web site www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing.

Protected female rock lobster

Berried rock lobster (ie females carrying eggs) are protected at all times and must be handled with care and returned to the water immediately.

Removal of tail fan for recreational rock lobster

All rock lobster taken by recreational fishers must have the middle tail fan clipped in half horizontally before landing regardless of how taken. This should be done by using a pair of scissors. Failure to clip the middle tail fan may result in prosecution with a maximum penalty of $5,000.

Prohibited devices

It is an offence to take or attempt to take rock lobster using a spear, hook or other pointed instrument.

The use of caufs to keep rock lobster alive in the water is prohibited. It is also prohibited to return a lobster pot containing rock lobster to the water.

Permitted gear commonly used to catch rock lobster

Rock lobster pot

Rock lobster pots must be registered with PIRSA Fisheries and can only be used by the holder of a current registration. A maximum of two pots can be registered per person.

Dimensions of rock lobster pots must meet the following. Maximum width 1.5 metres, maximum height 1.2 metres.

The mouth of the pot must be at the top. There should be 2 escape gaps on opposite sides of the pot. The tops of the escape gaps must be no more than 11cm from the base of the pot and the minimum dimensions of escape gaps are 15cm wide by 5.5cm high. If there are no escape gaps, the pot must be covered in a mesh that will easily allow a cylindrical rod 5 cm in diameter to pass easily through the mesh.

Each rock lobster pot must be marked with a red buoy of 4 litre volume and a current registration tag as provided by PIRSA Fisheries.  It is an offence to use buoys that have commercial licence numbers on them.

A maximum of 2 rock lobster pots per person may be used.

Rock lobster pot registrations

An application to register recreational rock lobster pots can be obtained from any PIRSA Fisheries Office, or the Internet site www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing. A minimum age of 15 applies.

On payment of the fee, you will receive an annual registration certificate, a voluntary catch and effort return form, this brochure and a registration tag for each pot registered. Your pot(s) can only be used once the tag is attached as close as practicable to the red float.

If you lose a tag, the pot must be immediately removed from the water and reported to FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522. You will be sent an application for a replacement tag. Lost tags can also be reported to any PIRSA Fisheries Office. A fee of $20.80 applies to the replacement of tags.

Hoop net

A hoop net is a net attached to a hoop. Maximum hoop diameter 107cm. Maximum depth of bag 92 cm. Must be marked with a white buoy of 4 litre volume and a tag showing the owner's name and address if unattended. A maximum of 3 hoop nets per person may be used to take rock lobster.

Drop net

A drop net is made up of two hoops joined by a cylindrical or cone shaped net bag. Maximum hoop diameter 107cm. Must be marked with a white buoy of 4 litre volume and a tag showing the owner's name and address if unattended. A maximum 3 drop nets per person may be used to take rock lobster.

A snare

A noose attached to a length of tubing designed and constructed for the taking of rock lobster.

2007/08 Survey of recreational rock lobster fishery

In order to maintain the high quality of recreational fishing for rock lobster in this state, the 2007/08 lobster season has been chosen to collect up-to-date research information on this species.  The rock lobster survey is one component of a statewide recreational fishing survey.  The latest survey is similar to one undertaken in 2000/01.

During 2007/08, randomly chosen recreational rock lobster fishers (as well as other fishers targeting other species) are being contacted either through telephone or on site interviewers, seeking information on fishing activity, as well as the number of days fished.  Additionally, on-site interviewers are visiting fishing locations to gather information on fish caught including the sizes of retained rock lobsters.

The ultimate success of the survey relies heavily on the cooperation of the recreational fishing community.  Please help out if you are randomly selected to participate in any phase of the survey.  Details of the survey can be seen at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishingsurvey.