Rock Lobster Gear and How To Mark It

Diving for Rock Lobster

• The only aid that can be used for taking rock lobster is a gloved hand.
• Nooses, gaffs, nets, hooks and spears are not permitted for taking lobster.
• It is illegal to possess a noose on a boat unless it is being used for game fishing.
• Rings and pots may be used from a boat that is being used by divers.

• specifically designed as a buoy;
• floats on the surface of the water;
• is at least 195 mm in diameter at the widest point;
• has no markings other than the licence number (and 'P' if it is a pot and 'R' if it is a ring); and
• has the licence number clearly marked in figures not less than 70 mm high and 12 mm wide.
• no other markings on the buoy are allowed.

Rock Lobster Rings

Rock lobster ring or hoop nets (see photo at right) can be used to take rock lobster. A licence is required, which allows you to possess and use up to 4 ring nets. A person in charge of a boat must not allow more than 20 rock lobster rings to be on or used from their boat. A rock lobster ring or hoop must comply with the following dimensions:

• must be a single ring or hoop of no more than 1 metre in diameter, covered with mesh; and
• if left unattended, each ring must have a buoy attached marked with the licence number.

• No larger than 1250 mm x 1250 mm at base and 750 mm high;
• Escape gaps should be at least 57 mm high and the lower inside edge no more than 150 mm up from the floor of the pot;
• If there is only one escape gap, it must be at least 400 mm wide and if there are two, they must each be at least 200 mm wide;
• The hole in the middle of the neck of a rock lobster pot has to be large enough to allow a buoy of 200 mm in diameter to pass through it without touching the sides; and
• No objects, such as bait sticks, may obstruct the opening.

A lobster pot must be marked with a buoy, that:

• is specifically designed as a buoy.
• floats on the surface of the water.
• is at least 195 mm in diameter at the widest point.
• has no markings other than the licence number.
• has the licence number clearly marked in figures not less than 70 mm high and 12 mm wide.
• Must be marked with the licence number and the letter "P" for pot. See licencing page for marking details.

• It must be marked with a yellow buoy.
• A person may only use one cauf at a time.
• A cauf may be used by more than one licensed fisher but rock lobsters held in a shared cauf must be distinguishable from other fisher rock lobster by being separated into their own compartments, each marked with the fisher's licence number.
• Each fisher must have their own yellow marker buoy marked with their recreational fishing licence number (rock lobster pot, ring or dive) attached to the cauf.
• All rock lobster in a fish cauf need to be tail clipped and count towards the fishers possession limit.

Aborigines engaged in aboriginal fishing are exempt from holding a fishing licence, but must comply with all other rules. Where rock lobster gear must be marked with a licence number, Aboriginal fishers should use the unique identifying code supplied to them by the Office of Aboriginal Affairs. More information on Aboriginal fishing.

This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/ALIR-4YR6EE?open - was last published on 1 October 2012 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Internet Coordinator by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone.

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