New rock lobster recreational fishing guide made changes to benefit fishers and protect the lobsters

The new and improved rock lobster recreational fishing guide has been released and includes all new information about catching and keeping crayfish.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development clarified the rules surrounding rock lobster after consultation with Recfishwest and Rock Lobster Reference Group, to better accommodate for recreational fishers.

The amendments made to keeping a lobster in whole form on the boat allow fishers to keep the lobster tails and bring it home while still being able to take the heads out for bait.

DPIRD principal fisheries management officer Rebecca Oliver said these changes were good for recreational fishers and help protect the rock lobsters.

“The new fishing guide has key tips on the importance of catch care for rock lobsters because it’s important to increase the chance of survival for any that need to be returned to the water,” she said.

Ms Oliver stressed that fishers handle protected lobsters with care.

“Poor handling of lobsters can affect growth of the individual and increase their vulnerability to predation,” she said.

“If they’re undersize, carrying eggs or are tarspot lobsters, they have better survivability if they are not exposed to air for more than five minutes.”

The State-wide bag limit of eight per licenced fisher is still in place, and only four of the eight can be a rock lobster.