Permitted Devices For Catching Rock Lobster
To take rock lobster (in either the Southern or Northern Zone) you can use:
- up to 2 rock lobster pots (these must be registered) per person; or
- 3 drop nets per person; or
- 3 hoop nets per person.
You can also use a snare.
All permitted devices must meet particular specifications
Rock lobster pot
Drop net
Hoop net
Snare
Prohibited Devices
Rock Lobster Pot
All rock lobster pots must be registered and can only be used for personal use.Specifications
| Maximum width: | 1.5 metre |
| Maximum height: | 1.2 metre |
| Maximum number permitted: | 2 |
| Marking: | 1 red buoy, volume 4 litres |
| A current registration tag | |
| Mouth of the pot: | The mouth must be at the top |
| Escape gaps: | 2 escape gaps on opposite sides of the pot |
| Distance: | he tops of the escape gaps must be no more than 11 cm from the base of the pot |
| Minimum size of escape gaps: | 15 cm wide by 5.5 cm high |
| If no escape gaps: | The pot must be covered in a mesh that will allow a cylindrical rod 5 cm in diameter to easily pass through |
Drop net
A drop net consists of two hoops joined by a cylindrical or cone-shaped net bag. Note that drop nets are not the same as hoop nets and regulations vary. Drop nets do not need to be registered.Specifications
| Maximum hoop diameter: | 107 cm |
| Maximum depth: | 92 cm |
| Maximum number allowed: | 3 drop nets per person (there may be further restrictions on the number allowed if used in addition to other permitted devices for particular species and in particular regions) |
| Marking – marine waters: | 1 white buoy, 4 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – Lakes and Coorong: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – River Murray: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended |
Hoop net
This consists of one hoop holding a cone-shaped net bag. Note that hoop nets are not the same as drop nets and regulations vary. Hoop nets do not need to be registered but must be buoyed and tagged correctly.Link to marking devices page
Specifications
| Maximum hoop diameter: | 107 cm |
| Maximum depth of net bag: | 92 cm |
Maximum number permitted:
| for marine fish and inland waters: | Up to 10 hoop nets if no other fishing device (other than rod and handline) is being used |
| Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear (other than rod and handline) is being used | |
| fishing for crab: | Up to 10 hoop nets if no other device (including rod and handline) is being used |
| Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear (including rod and handline is being used | |
| fishing for rock lobster: | Up to 3 hoop nets if no other device (other than rod and handline) is being used |
| Marking – marine waters: | 1 white buoy, 4 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – Lakes and Coorong: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – River Murray: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended |
|
| Note: | The use of hoop nets is prohibited in the main stream section of commercial fishing reaches of the River Murray. |
Snare
A snare is a noose attached to a length of tubing designed and constructed for the taking of rock lobster.
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 corfs to keep a rock lobster alive in water is prohibited.
It is also illegal to return a rock lobster pot that contains a rock lobster to the water.
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/target_species/southern_rock_lobster/permitted_devices_for_catching_rock_lobster
- Page Last Modified: October 31, 2007