Proposed rule changes for the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery and options to rebuild stocks on the East Coast are now open for public comment until 30 May 2022.
These changes are intended to improve long-term stock health and fishery management, ensuring the fishery is sustainable and resilient.
Proposed rule changes
Regional size limits map
The main proposal
for all fishers is introducing regional size limit zones that align with rock lobster growth rates and maturity sizes.
Proposals
for recreational fishers include:
- Group sharing of catch from pots;
- Future reporting of recreational catch;
- Zone transiting provisions;
- Phone and electronic reporting of lost or irretrievable pots; and
- Allowing recreational lobsters to be held on unattended vessels.
Proposals
for commercial fishers include:
- Mandatory vessel monitoring systems;
- Expanding the 60-pot area;
- Changes to transiting and reporting provisions;
- Changes to personal possession provisions; and
- Changes to some quota monitoring arrangements.
East Coast policy
Serious stock challenges on the East Coast remain and the current rebuilding plan is due to end in 2023. Your views are sought on:
- Stock rebuilding and biomass targets;
- Monitoring catch;
- Future management and catch share scenarios;
- Translocating lobsters and stock enhancement options; and
- Recreational only areas.
How to make a submission:
Public information sessions
Recreational
Information sessions will be held around the State at the venues and dates below.
Our sessions will be held in a Covid-safe environment by limiting each session to 15 people. Please make bookings using the Eventbrite links.
Date
|
Location
|
Venue
|
Session Times
|
Tuesday, 26 April 2022
| Launceston
| Launceston Conference Centre Meeting Room 9
|
12:30pm session
5:30pm session
7:00pm session
|
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
| St Helens
| Panorama Hotel St Helens
|
5:30pm session
7:00pm session
|
Thursday, 28 April 2022
| Bicheno
| Diamond Island Resort
|
12:30pm session
|
Thursday, 28 April 2022
| Orford
| Eastcoaster Tasmania Conference Room
|
5:30pm session
7:00pm session |
Monday, 2 May 2022
| Hobart
| Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
|
12:30pm session
5:30pm session
7:00pm session
|
Tuesday, 3 May 2022
| Eaglehawk Neck
| Eaglehawk Neck Community Hall
|
5:30pm session
7:00pm session |
Monday, 9 May 2022
| Devonport
| Devonport RSL
|
5:30pm session
|
Tuesday, 10 May 2022
| Burnie
| Burnie Arts and Function Centre
|
5:30pm session
|
Wednesday, 11 May 2022
| Smithton
| Tall Timbers
|
5:30pm session |
Thursday, 12 May 2022
| Strahan
| Strahan Village Meeting Room
| 5:30pm session
|
**Information Session Update: The previously advertised 7:00pm meetings for the North West and West Coasts have been cancelled due to low interest. If you'd like to meet us when we are in the area but can't make the 5:30pm meeting, please
email us and we may be able to meet you at a convenient time.
Commercial
Port visits and information sessions for commercial fishers will be held in late March and early April.
Animations: rule proposals explained
We have developed three short animations which explain the key recreational rule changes.
1. Keeping rock lobster populations healthy
2. Aligning size limit zones with growth rates
3. Size limits and transiting zones
Fish illustrations used in the animations are by Peter Gouldthorpe.
Information about submissions
All submissions will be treated as public information and made available on the NRE Tas website. If you wish your submission to be treated as confidential, either whole or in part, please note this in writing at the time of making your submission. No personal information other than the name of individual submitters will be disclosed.
The
Right to Information Act 2009 and confidentiality
By law, information provided to the Government may be provided to an applicant under the provisions of the
Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI). If you have indicated that you wish all or part of your submission to be confidential, the statement that details your reasons will be taken into account in determining whether or not to release the information in the event of an RTI application for assessed disclosure.