Reminder - New dusky flathead and lobster recreational fishing rules - effective 1 August 2022
by NSW DPI - Recreational Fisheries 4 Aug 2022 03:34 UTC
A reminder to all recreational fishers that the new recreational fishing rules for Dusky Flathead and Lobster in NSW are now in effect.
The new rules for recreational fishers are:
- Lobster - increase in combined bag limit from 2 to 3 per person (comprised wholly of any single species or a combination of species of Eastern Rock Lobster or Southern Rock Lobster).
- Dusky Flathead - introduction of a maximum size limit of 70 cm (previously only 1 over 70cm).
This means only Dusky Flathead between 36cm (minimum size) and 70cm (maximum size) may be retained, all others must be released.
The daily bag limit for Dusky Flathead has also been reduced from 10 to 5 per person. The possession limit however will remain at 10 per person to enable travelling fishers to store and freeze up to 10 fish for future consumption.
Note - A bag limit is the maximum number of fish you can collect per person per day, where a possession limit is the maximum number a person can have in their possession at any one time i.e. in your freezer.
For more information on bag and possession limits in NSW, head to the DPI website.
These changes will help boost the stock of bigger Dusky Flathead and ultimately provide better fishing opportunities for recreational fishers for this highly popular species in the future. The increased bag limit for Lobster will also provide for increased recreational fishing opportunities. DPI will continue to monitor and assess Lobster stocks. A new harvest strategy has also recently been finalised for the Eastern Rock Lobster Fishery that will guide decision making in the future.
For more information on these changes see the frequently-asked-questions here.