Government’s commercial rock lobster cap draws ‘concern’

The government is looking to rejuvenate “poor” lobster stocks along the East Coast, but a peak body has shared concern over the looming commercial fishing quota restrictions.

The government is looking to rejuvenate “poor” lobster stocks along the East Coast, but a peak body has shared concern over the looming commercial fishing quota restrictions.

The next phase of the East Coast Rock Lobster Stock Rebuilding Plan would see the annual commercial catch decrease by 10 tonnes from March 1.

Commercial fishers will be allowed to fish up to 94 tonnes from the East Coast area stretching from Eddystone Point to Bruny Island this year.

But the sector’s total allowable catch in all Tasmanian waters will remain 1050.7 tonnes.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett said the move was “necessary”, citing research from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

“The Government has received advice from IMAS that the stock levels on the East Coast remain poor, with unfished biomass estimates in (the) mid-East Coast sitting at only 10 per cent,” he said.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Barnett said the 10 year plan commencing in 2014 aimed to replenish “severely depleted stocks” by more than 20 per cent by 2023, by which time a new stock rebuilding plan would be in place.

Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman’s Association (TRLFA) president Karl Krause said members were “deeply concerned“ about losing 10 per cent of their annual catch.

“Sadly, this latest slashing of our sustainable commercial catch on the East Coast threatens the livelihood of a number of local vessels and their skippers and crew,” he said.

Mr Krause said the commercial sector was ready to discuss the 10 year plan with the recreational sector, provided they “fairly and honestly account for every rock lobster they take out of the fishery”.

Recreational fishers have a daily bag limit of two lobsters.

Mr Barnett said consultation would inform the next rock lobster harvest strategy.

He said the government would extend the East Coast Translocation Program, which aims to bring more lobster into a stock relocation marine zone, by $75,000 each year over the next two years.