The Tasmanian Government is working in partnership with fishers to rebuild rock lobster stocks on the East Coast.
The southern rock lobster is an iconic and highly prized catch for both recreational and commercial fishers.
The recreational rock lobster season within the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone (ECSRZ) will open on Saturday 8 December, followed by the commercial season on Tuesday 11 December 2018.
The ECSRZ extends from Eddystone Point to the southern end of Bruny Island.
Declining stocks on Tasmania’s East Coast earlier this decade resulted in the State Government implementing a 10-year stock rebuilding strategy in 2013.
Delaying the season opening by 3 weeks for the ECSRZ will assist with stock rebuild to ensure we have a sustainable fishery for the long term.
Our Rock Lobster Rebuilding Strategy is already delivering positive results, with preliminary data from the 2017/18 IMAS stock assessment indicating that standardised catch rates in the ECSRZ have increased between 44 per cent and 75 per cent since the strategy commenced.
The challenge now is to continue to manage a diciplined approach so we achieve lasting improvements in the fishery.
The remainder of State waters will open for the recreational sector on 3 November and for the commercial sector on 15 November 2018.
There are no changes to Eastern and Western Region recreational bag and boat catch limits.
For maps and more information, go to: www.fishing.tas.gov.au
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water