Rock Lobster

Daily limit

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

Minimum sizes

• No person may take or possess
• Male spiny rock lobster with a tail width less than 54 mm.
• Female spiny 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.

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 unlawful 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.
• Use or set a baited net for taking rock lobsters, or possess any rock lobster with a baited net.

It is lawful to use a ring pot, hoop net or bob to take rock lobster.

Lassos

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

Rock lobster pots

Rock lobster pot means any pot, whether baited or not, that is capable of catching or holding rock lobsters; and includes any other device capable of catching, holding or storing rock lobsters.

• All pots and surface float must be clearly and permanently marked with the fishers surname and initials.

Rock lobster pot limits:

• Rock Lobster pot restrictions do apply. Refer to method and species restrictions section.

Escape gaps restrictions

It is unlawful to use or possess on a vessell any rock lobster pot without escape gaps.

• 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 percentof 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 percent of the surface area of each of 2 opposite sides.