Tasmania Police Marine and Rescue Services remind recreational rock lobster fishers that reporting their catch is mandatory, after 118 offences were detected during the opening of the recreational rock lobster fishing season over the weekend.
Acting Sergeant Ben Cunningham said, "Police want everyone to enjoy our waterways safely and comply with fisheries regulations, it's mandatory that all recreational fishers report their rock lobster catch."
"Disappointingly a review of rock lobster catch reports over the weekend, indicated that approximately 50% of fishers did not report their catch."
Over opening weekend of the recreational rock lobster fishing season, in waters outside the East Coast stock rebuilding zone, police detected offences including:
• Taking undersize and excess rock lobster
• Fishing in closed areas
• Taking undersize sand flathead
• Various marine safety breaches.
"Police Marine and Rescue Services will continue to monitor compliance throughout the season to ensure adherence to fisheries and marine safety regulations, and we urge all fishers to report their catch."
"Catch reports must be made immediately after tail-marking your last lobster, or if no catch, immediately after pulling your pot, checking your ring or finishing your dive. Catch reporting assists in managing a sustainable rock lobster fishery."
"Our patrols over the weekend were supported by new technology – including Starlink satellite communications – which enabled real-time data transfer and improved connectivity in areas outside normal coverage. This innovation assisted police in detecting offences and enhancing compliance checks."
