Rock Lobster

Daily limit

No person may take or possess more than 6 rock lobsters (both species combined) on any one day.

Possession

Rock lobster may not be possessed seaward of the high water mark in an unmeasurable state.

Protected rock lobster

The following types of rock lobster are protected by law and must be returned immediately to the water:

• Undersized rock lobster.
• Any female rock lobster carrying external eggs (these are carried between the pleopods on the underside of the tail).
• Any rock lobster in the soft shell stage (following moulting where the exoskeleton has not reached full hardness).
• Any rock lobster that cannot be measured (e.g. because of damage to the tail preventing accurate measurement).

General restrictions

It is an offence to:

• Remove external eggs or the egg-bearing appendages from any rock lobster.
• Use a spear or any device which could puncture the shell when taking rock lobster, or possess any rock lobster which has been speared.

Lassoes

Only hand operated loops or lassoes may be used to take rock lobster. It is prohibited to use a spring loaded loop or lasso.

Escape gaps restrictions

All rock lobster pots must have an escape gap as follows:

• No escape gap or aperture shall be incorporated in either the top or the bottom of any pot.
• Escape gaps or apertures are designed to allow undersized rock lobster to escape.
• Round or beehive shaped pots must have at least 3 escape gaps or apertures (other than the mouth). Each aperture must have an inside dimension of not less than 54 mm x 200 mm.
  
• Square or rectangular shaped pots must have at least 2 escape gaps or apertures (other than the mouth) in opposite faces of the pot. Each aperture shall not be less than 80% of the height or length of the face of the pot in which the apertures are contained. Each aperture must have an inside dimension of not less than 54 mm x 200 mm.
  
• Any rock lobster pot constructed entirely of unaltered spot welded mesh with inside dimensions of 54 mm x 140 mm does not have to have escape gaps or apertures but the pots must be used without covers or liners or with covers or liners that leave unencumbered at least 80% of the surface area of each of 2 opposite sides.

Minimum sizes

No person may take or possess:

• Male red rock lobster with a tail width less than 54 mm.
• Female red rock lobster with a tail width less than 60 mm.
• Packhorse rock lobster (either sex) with a tail length less than 216 mm.

How to measure a spiny rock lobster

The tail width is measured in a straight line between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail, (as shown in diagram).
The sex is easily determined:

• Females have small pincers on the rear pair of legs.
• Pleopods are in paired form on each side of the underside of female tails, and are in single form in male tails.

If you are unsure of the sex, use the 60 mm measurement and you will be safe.

How to measure a packhorse rock lobster

The tail length is measured along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail.