Rock lobster fishery
The South Australian rock lobster fishery is based on the capture of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). Other species are permitted to be landed and sold, including giant crabs and octopus.
Rock lobsters are commercially harvested with pots that are set overnight. Rock lobster licence holders may also harvest marine scalefish as endorsed on their licence.
Fishery zones
The rock lobster fishery is separated into 2 zones:
- Southern zone: all marine waters between the mouth of the Murray River and the Victorian border
- Northern zone: all marine waters between the mouth of the Murray River and the Western Australian border.
Licensing
There are no new licences available for the rock lobster fishery.
Expiry
Rock lobster fishery licences are issued for the term of the management plan. The current management plan for the southern zone is effective to 2030, and the management plan for the northern zone is effective to 2031.
Fees
Commercial licence fees must be paid each financial year. Invoices are issued annually in June and payments can be made:
- up-front
- in a lump sum
- in quarterly instalments.
Licence transfer
Licences can be transferred from one person to another. See the forms below for more information:
- Application to transfer a southern zone rock lobster fishery licence ()
- Application to transfer a northern zone rock lobster fishery licence ()
Boat registration and de-registration
Every boat that is used for commercial fishing must be registered. Use these forms to register or de-register a boat:
- Southern zone rock lobster boat registration endorsement ()
- Northern zone rock lobster boat registration endorsement ()
Boat master registration
All people who act as a commercial fishing boat master must be registered by the licence holder. Multiple boat masters can be registered using the form Application to change registration of a master ().
Quota transfer
Licence holders can transfer their quota entitlements to another licence holder. Transfers can be temporary or permanent. See the forms below for more information:
- Northern zone rock lobster quota and pot transfer ()
- Southern zone rock lobster quota and pot transfer ()
eCatch (digital reporting)
Southern zone rock lobster fishers are required to digitally report their catch via the Deckhand app or directly into eCatch through your myPIRSA account.
eCatch is also used to:
- access quota balance statements
- submit online quota transfers
- edit pending or inaccurate digital reports.
More information:
- A quick reference guide for accessing online eCatch services using myPIRSA ()
- eCatch reference guide – southern zone rock lobster fishers ()
Fishery management
The rock lobster fishery is regulated by:
- Fisheries Management (Rock Lobster Fishery) Regulations 2017
- Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2017
- Fisheries Management (Marine Scalefish Fisheries) Regulations 2017
- Fisheries Management (Vessel Monitoring Scheme) Regulations 2017
Management plans for each zone of the fishery have arrangements such as the harvest strategy:
- Management plan for the northern zone rock lobster fishery 2021 ()
- Management plan for the southern zone rock lobster fishery 2020 ()
- Northern zone rock lobster fishery harvest strategy () – adopted in 2015
- Southern zone rock lobster fishery harvest strategy () – adopted in 2015
- Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) risk assessment of rock lobster fishery 2020 ().
Other management arrangements include:
- a total allowable commercial catch quota
- minimum legal size limits
- restrictions on taking females carrying eggs
- closed seasons
- restrictions on numbers allowed
- escape gaps and sea lion exclusion devices on some pots
- northern zone rock lobster fishery licence holders are required to have an operation vessel monitoring system (VMS) fitted to their boat.
For more information, see Southern zone rock lobster fishery operator user guide ().
Determinations
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 10 – Use of registered boat, SZRLF ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 11 – Use of bait nets ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 12 – Removal of restrictions on fishing activities during closed season in the Northern Zone ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 21 – Information to be provided, taking King George whiting ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulations 21A–C – Information to be provided, snapper, southern calamari, southern garfish ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 21A and 25A – Provide information and catch and disposal, snapper closure area ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 22 – Catch and disposal, NZRLF ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 23 – Catch and disposal, SZRLF ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 24 – Catch and disposal, giant crab ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 25 – Record and provide information, deal with King George whiting ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 25A – Record and provide information, deal with snapper ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 25B – Record and provide information, deal with southern calamari ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 25C – Record and provide information, deal with southern garfish ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 27 – Periodic returns ()
- Determination (RLF) Regulation 28 – Victorian licence ()
Reports
- Northern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery status report 2022–23 ()
- Southern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery status report 2022-23 ()
- Southern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2021-22. Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture ()
- Northern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2020-21. Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture ()
- South Australian commercial fisheries reports – economic indicators by BDO Australia
The Australian Government Department of the Environment requires that all commercial fisheries exporting product are assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Product from the rock lobster fishery is currently approved for export – for more information see South Australian managed fisheries.
Closures
See Fishing closures.
Contact
Rock lobster fisheries management
Hamish Telfer – Fisheries Manager
Phone: (08) 8767 2155
Email: hamish.telfer@sa.gov.au
South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council
Nathan Kimber – Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8132 0257
Email: nathan@kimberconsulting.com.au
South Eastern Professional Fishermen's Association Inc
Nathan Kimber – Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8132 0257
Email: nathan@kimberconsulting.com.au
South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association Inc
Kyriakos Toumazos – Executive Officer
Phone: 0402 466 758
Email: kyri.toumazos@hotmail.com