Matt the eastern rock lobster is an occasional catch in nw tasmania, and the few they get are usually absolute horses. Southern rock lobster, tropical rock lobster, western rock lobster, champagne lobster. The southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii season in south australia runs from october to the end of may each year. In the south of the state the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii is found. To fish for crays it is essential that you have a recreational rock lobster licence. Southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii is distributed around southern australia, tasmania and new zealand phillips, 2006. Whats in season lobster season staring mid november below species most in peak supply summer vic. You must be 10 years or older to hold a rock lobster licence. Lobsters vary in colour from usually reddishpurple in shallow water, to purple and creamyyellow in deeper offshore waters. Eastern rock lobster nsw department of primary industries. Assessment of the nsw lobster fishery 2 nsw department of primary industries, october 2017 4. Eastern rock lobster, tropical rock lobster, western rock lobster, champagne lobster. A sharp fall in overseas demand will see australians able to buy rock lobster below international rates, but exporters warn of significant economic pain over the long term.
Jasus edwardsii, the southern rock lobster, red rock lobster, or spiny rock lobster, is a species of spiny lobster found throughout coastal waters of southern australia and new zealand including the chatham islands. Southern rock lobster, painted lobster, ornate lobster, coral lobster, slipper lobster. Rock lobster cooked 600g 800g southern rock lobster is a species of spiny lobsters, that comes from mainly down near south australia. Rock lobster are subject to a closed season, meaning they cannot be taken or possessed on, in or near victorian waters during this time. Southern rock lobsters are distributed from northern new south wales, south around tasmania and across south australia into western australia. Southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii nsw department of. Southern zone recreational rock lobster season opens the southern zone rock lobster season opens today, with recreational fishers now able to enjoy lowering their pots in the area for the season.
To fish for crays it is essential that you have a recreational rock lobster. Historically there have been concerns over the health of the population of southern rock lobsters in all fisheries, and high fishing pressure has led to population declines. The eastern rock lobster is the largest spiny lobster in the world and can grow to over 10kg and live up to 20 years. For example, the spiny lobster season runs from august 1 through march 31 in the bahamas, and from august 6 though march 31 in florida. Minor catches of southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii and tropical rock lobster. The south australian northern zone rock lobster fishermans association actively promotes and safeguards the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii industry, and the interests of the members of this association. There are two commercial zones in the fishery that operate along the entire coastline of. Crayfish diving australia 2019 lobster season youtube. Coronavirus trade closure makes lobster cheaper for.
Lobsters walk inshore to spawn when the water becomes cool. Southern rock lobster photos, info, catch, cook, buy. Eastern rock lobsters are green in colour, southern lobsters. The western rock lobster is one of the family of spiny lobsters, colourful and protected by a strong carapace. Eastern rock lobster is a sustainable species found on rocky reefs and sandy areas along australias east coast. The southern rock lobster south australian northern zone. In southeastern australia, the resource supports regional fisheries across the states of south australia, victoria and tasmania, with a combined annual commercial catch of approximately 3000 tonnes stewardson et al. Southern rock lobsters are distributed from northern nsw, around tasmania and across south australia into western australia.
The possession limit for rock lobster in, on or next to any victorian waters is 4 tagged and tailclipped rock lobster. Characteristics southern rock lobster is a member of the family palinuridae. Rock lobster fishery department of the environment. The first commercial catching of southern rock lobster was in 1899, when local residents began catching the lobsters with beehiveshaped pots. Favorable early weather conditions and strong catch rates have australian southern rock lobster fishermen optimistic about the season ahead. A person must not pull pots or fish for rock lobster by. Jan 22, 2018 catching southern rock lobster outside cape jaffa south australia. Australian southern rock lobster exporters pty ltd have 12 members of staff. Mar 28, 2011 head to robe between october and may when southern rock lobster is in season its the best lobster around, which is why boxes of them are exported to china, taiwan and hong kong. Southern zone rock lobster season 201819 opening thursday 20 september 2018 its time to ensure rock lobster pot registrations are up to date ahead of the reopening of the southern zone to recreational fishing on october 1, 2018. Southern rock lobster live in a variety of reef habitats, ranging from shallow rock pools, out to the continental shelf. Confusing species in the south of the state the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii is found.
Many areas also have a special sport season for legal recreational fishing of the spiny lobster. Bag limit in general trout streams and dams is 5 and possession limit is 10. The southern zone covers waters from the murray mouth to the victorian border and the season extends until thursday 31 may 2020. Southern rock lobster should always be humanely killed before cooking and this can be done by freezer chilling the lobster in air freeze temperatures of c 5 f for approximately 30 minutes. Southern rock lobster are fished throughout southern australia, with the sa fishery taking around 50% of the entire catch of the species. We explore the coral coasts of australia diving for tropical rock lobster, with loads of exciting adventure along the way. Assessment of the nsw lobster fishery 2017 department of the. Rock lobster fishery the rock lobster fishery is victorias second most valuable fishery after abalone and is based on the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii. Eastern rock lobster sagmaraisus verreauxi is the main species harvested but occasionally, southern rock lobster, jasus edwardsii, and tropical rock lobster, panulirus longipes and p.
The south australian northern zone rock lobster fishermans association actively promotes and safeguards the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii industry, and the interests of the members of this association the association is a representative body for the licence holders of the northern zone of the southern rock lobster fishery to state andor commonwealth fisheries departments and any. Before they shed the old shell, they will form a thin one underneath. Its better for healthy fish stocks and reduces the cost of our products when they are in abundance. Here at the scuba doctor were often asked what we think is the best way to catch a crayfish, or where to find them. Ornate lobsters are greenish blue to reddish brown in colour, with orange spines on the head. Although we carry a large array of fresh seafood, some species are seasonal. Southern rock lobster live buy live australian lobsters. Set recreational nets and traps to be marked with the fishers initial, surname, year of birth and postcode.
They inhabit a variety of reef habitats in waters ranging from 1 m to approximately 200 m in depth. Lobsters grow by molting, or shedding their shells. You can only possess a rock lobster pot on state fishing waters from 6am the day before the season opens and only set a pot after 1pm on the same day. Eastern rock lobster 2018 status of australian fish stocks reports. They generally move into deeper water in early winter, and return closer to the shoreline in late august. Interesting facts about australian southern rock lobster more details information on australian southern rock lobster can be found in the series of 6 fact sheets that can be downloaded. A lobster lives in saltwater and a crayfish lives in freshwater. South coast eastern rock lobsters jervis bay youtube. The first live shipments of the south australian season. Australian southern rocklobster jasus edwardsii is caught in the pristine cold southern ocean of south australia. My earliest recollections of lobster fishing come in the form of our annual family.
Our highly sought after, premium southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii is wild caught in the cold, clean waters of the southern ocean it is fished in the northern zone lobster fishery, an expanse of south australian coastline in excess of 3,700km. The official name for this great big delicious local red sea monster caught in the waters of victoria is southern rock lobster, jasus edwardsii. Lobster fishery nsw department of primary industries. Trends in productivity of southern rock lobster jasus. The rock lobster fishery is victorias most valuable fishery and is based on the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii. Women in recreational fishing leadership program scholarships 2019. The southern rock lobster fishery south australian. The eastern rock lobster lives in coastal waters and oceans to a depth of 200 m. Oh yes in nsw you are only allowed 2 beasties, to go with your 2 abs when i was. In wa, the western rock lobster are often referred to as crays but this is actually the wrong name. The life of a southern rock lobster a species of the rock lobster family, the southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii requires reef habitat to call home and preferably with an abundance of kelp and crevices to provide cover and favourite sources of food.
The eastern rock lobster is found in new south wales, victoria, south australia and tasmania. Its a natural resource the commercial cray fisherman is happy to share with increasing numbers of recreational fishers, as the annual rock lobster season starts in australias southern zone. The importer would be required to clear and pay the import duty. Australian southern rock lobster exporters pty ltd are a company based in port lincoln in the australian state of south australia. Eastern rock lobster have a green body and brownishorange legs. They are shy reef dwellers that hide in caves, crevices and kelp beds during the day, coming out to browse under cover of darkness. Dining on lobster is always a treat, but to sit in front of the very ocean it was plucked from whilst sipping a glass of champagne makes the experience even more. Southern rock lobster goodfish australias sustainable. Professional crayfishing for southern rock lobster youtube. For me that means between the months of july and december, with septembernovember being the prime time. Nov 03, 2014 bag limit in general inland waters is 10 and possession limit is 20. The management plan for the southern zone rock lobster fishery pdf 1. Lifecycle of the southern rock lobster mating occurs during the months of april to july, with most.
Southern rock lobster department of primary industries. Catching southern rock lobster outside cape jaffa south australia. Maximum weight of 8 kg and a carapace length of 26 cm 1 m including the antennas. They inhabit a variety of reef habitats in waters ranging from 1 metre to approximately 200 metres in depth. The southern rock lobster fishery south australian northern.
Southern rock lobster nsw department of primary industries. Eastern rock lobster photos, info, catch, cook, buy. Sustainably sourced seafood restricts availability, so we buy fish when its in abundance and in season. Fishing in southern nsw became significant in the 1960s when offshore. In the north of the state the ornate rock lobster panulirus ornatus occurs.
They resemble lobsters, but lack the large characteristic pincers on the. In australia, southern rock lobster can be found around southern new south wales, victoria. Sa south australia rock lobster pots in southern zone. Rock lobster fishing department of primary industries. I used to chase them a lot on scuba when i lived in melbourne, but freedived for them a bit as well. Southern rock lobsters live in a variety of habitats on the continental shelf, in water from 1 metre to approximately 200 metres deep. The following rules apply to both southern rock lobster and eastern green rock lobster which are also referred to in tasmania as crayfish. Commercial fishing of the target species, eastern rock lobster in nsw is controlled.
The closed season for rock lobster is the following. Southern zone rock lobster fishery harvest strategy adopted in 2015 docx 14. Interesting facts about australian southern rock lobster. Southern zone recreational rock lobster season opens. They are the largest rock lobsters in the world, recorded up to 8kg and over 40cm carapace length, commonly 400g2. The fishery is quota managed, with a total allowable commercial catch set annually after the status of the stock has been assessed. In january 1945 a group of 28 southern rocklobster fishermen formed the south australian fishermens cooperative ltd safcol, and a factory was established to process lobster tails for export to america.
Available year round, with some closures in tasmania, victoria and sa. Southern rock lobster catch fell by a lesser amount, 365 tonnes 10 per cent. I always thought they were a mad bunch because the pots were so close to the rocks and it was dangerous in a small. Distribution southern rock lobsters are distributed from northern nsw, around tasmania and across south australia into western australia. A seasonal night fishing ban applies southwards of the north west cape. Southern zone rock lobster season 201819 opening pirsa. This species is commonly called crayfish or crays in both australia and new zealand and koura in maori. Size adult southern rock lobsters can reach up to 23 centimetres in length, measured along the carapace. Following concerns about the sustainability of the eastern rock lobster resource in the early1990s, stock abundance has responded positively to management initiatives, including the introduction of a maximum legal length, individually numbered management tags, share management and a total allowable commercial catch tacc liggins et al. Also known as rock lobster, red rock lobster and crayfish. With a firm meat as well as a sweet to rich flavoured meat, southern rock lobsters are highly sought after when in season. Australian southern rock lobster exporters pty ltd lobsters.
Their abdominal segments are smooth and unsculptured on their dorsal surface. The association is a representative body for the licence holders of the northern zone of the southern rock lobster fishery to state andor commonwealth fisheries departments. A crucial element in predicting catches is an annual. The legal size range that can be taken in nsw is a minimum of 10. The species is the target of was largest and most valuable fishery. Licences a rock lobster pot licence allows you to use on pot, a rock lobster dive licence allows you to take rock lobster by hand, and a rock lobster ring licence to use up to four rings. Early australian catches point to strong southern rock. The eastern rock lobster is the largest spiny lobster in the world and can grow to over 15 kg. We dont have a significant amount left in the holding tanks, mr rutter.
The nsw government has listened to the feedback and issues raised as part of this comprehensive consultation process which attracted strong interest from fishers and resulted in 5,440 submissions on 43 proposals. They look similar to southern rock lobsters, but their shell is greenyblack before cooking, instead of orange red. Eastern rock lobster jasus verreauxi nsw department of. Eastern rock lobsters are green in colour, southern lobsters are red. They are caught using a baited trap or pot or caught by hand using snorkelling gear. Bruce has lived at the adventure bay charters office for 2 years. Australian kayak fishing forum view topic eastern rock.