The strict new rules for Tasmanian recreational rock lobster fishers means empty pots have to be reported

The recreational rock lobster season opens on Saturday but strict new rules are prompting many to give up their pots. The new rules >>

What a great time of the year to go fishing. The weather looks like it is going to be great for the opening of not only the cray season, but also the opening of the striped trumpeter season in Tasmania. Waters outside the East Coast​​ Stock Rebuilding Zone are open from Saturday. The waters inside the rebuilding zone open from Saturday, December 7.

New rules and regulations apply from Friday. You must report your catch immediately after tail-marking your last lobster or if no catch, immediately after pulling your pot, checking your ring or finishing your dive.

This is why many are now not bothering to chase lobster and I can’t say I blame them, for I gave up my pot many years ago.

You now must report your rock lobster catch using the latest Fishing Tas app or phone reporting service (1300 720 647): ​when you finish fishing for rock lobster (even if you caught none), and immediately after tail-marking your last lobster (if any), and within 250m from where you fished (or attempted to fish), even if you’re out of reception.

Mickey Davidson with a good haul of Crayfish from last season at Swansea.

A catch report includes:

THE DATE your fishing was undertaken;

THE fishing method you used;

THE general location where you fished;

HOW MANY rock lobster you kept (even if none);

HOW MANY rock lobster you released (even if none).

You can also choose to report extra information about your catch like the weight, sex and length of your rock lobster. ​ https://fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-guides/fishing-tas-app

Shellfish alert

There is an active alert for ​wild shellfish – do not eat recreationally harvested mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells abalone and scallop roe from in and around White Beach and Nubeena on the Tasman Peninsula (South East Tasmania).

New fishing rules

There are also new rules and size limits for flathead (all species) and they are too complex to go into for this column, so if you wish to target flathead, you’d best first visit https://fishing.tas.gov.au/recreational-fishing/rules/size-and-bag-limits

There are new rules for all fish species that pertain to size limits, the numbers you can catch, where you can catch and the possession limit on the water and at home.

Apparently, not knowing the rules will not stand up if you are caught by police or fisheries officers.

Also, you can clean and fillet fish at sea although special rules apply for striped trumpeter and shark. For fish that have been filleted, two fillets are deemed to be the equivalent of one fish.

Where they’re biting

In the freshwater, Lake Pedder is well worth a visit with competitors in a recent fishing competition bringing home the bacon (fish) with over 32 caught in a three-day event.

Shallow running minnow lures did the damage and this seems to be the flavour around the state in most dams and lakes.

Fly anglers tell of mixed success at some waters with Arthurs Lake being a standout for this type of fishing.

Four Springs Lake is fishing well with some big fish turned over recently and the addition of a gravel walking track is proving popular among anglers and bushwalkers alike here.

Wherever you go this weekend, stay safe and good luck!

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Originally published as The strict new rules for Tasmanian recreational rock lobster fishers means empty pots have to be reported