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The fishing season kicks off in Tasmania

by Department of NRE Tasmania 16 Oct 2024 04:33 UTC
Recreational Fishing News © Department of NRE Tasmania

It's warming up and we're ready for some sunny days out on the water. Here's what you need to know at a glance:

  • Some new rules apply from 1 November:
    • Rock lobster catch reporting is now required immediately after tail-marking (or, if you didn't catch anything, immediately after checking your gear or finishing your dive)
    • Minor changes to sand flathead on-water possession limits, affecting only those who move between zones or fish overnight
    • Gillnetting is no longer permitted in Macquarie Harbour
  • Southeast squid closures in effect until 14 November (inclusive)
  • Licences, the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and rulers will be available from 21 October

Read on for the details and get yourself geared up for a great season of fishing.

Rock Lobster Catch Reporting

From 1 November 2024, there are new requirements for reporting all recreational rock lobster fishing activity. Catch reporting is a compulsory requirement of all recreational rock lobster licence holders.

You now MUST report your rock lobster catch using the latest Fishing Tas app or telephone reporting service (1300 720 647):

  • when you finish fishing for rock lobster (even if you caught none), and
  • immediately after tail-marking your last lobster (if any), and
  • within 250m from where you fished (or attempted to fish).

Go to Recreational rock lobster catch reporting to read how these new requirements will work for you, such as when you're out of reception, or reporting for others.

High quality data on recreational rock lobster fishing around Tasmania is important for IMAS research that helps us manage the fishery fairly and sustainably into the future. It also helps to enable improvements to your fishing experience, like rock lobster translocation and stock rebuilding.

We've listened to your feedback about what did and didn't work last season and have made some key changes to make catch reporting easier. Make sure to update your app before the start of the season to have access to these new features.

More about catch reporting

Recreational gillnetting closure in Macquarie Harbour

From 1 November 2024, Macquarie Harbour will be closed to recreational gillnetting. The closure is part of a broader Tasmanian Government Policy to phase-out recreational gillnetting statewide by 2030, which has been brought forward for Macquarie Harbour. Read more about it here.

Recreational gillnet licence holders will still be permitted to carry a recreational gillnet on the western side of Macquarie Harbour for the purposes of setting their nets outside of Macquarie Harbour (once outside the heads).

Minor changes to sand flathead possession limits

From 1 November 2024, an on-water possession limit equal to your daily bag limit applies. This means that when on the water, you cannot possess more than your daily bag limit for the zone you are in. This is not a boat limit. The on-water possession limit applies to each individual fisher.

For example, if you are fishing in the Eastern Zone but will be coming back to shore in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, you can possess a maximum of two sand flathead per person. Similarly, if you have fished in the Northern/Western Zone you cannot transit through the Eastern Zone with more than five flathead per fisher.

The on-land possession limit (which applies to anywhere in Tasmania, including your home) remains unchanged at 10 fish. Daily bag limits also remain unchanged.

We all want to see sand flathead recover quickly. It is the responsibility of every fisher to make sure they are doing the right thing by following the rules and fishing for the future.

View rules in the guide

Squid spawning closure reminder

A reminder that all waters from Lemon Rock south to Whale Head (including Coles Bay and Great Oyster Bay) are closed to the take or possession of squid or calamari from 15 October to 14 November inclusive. This will apply in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and is an extension of the previous east coast closure area.

During the closure, you cannot have squid jigs attached to your rod (but you are able to have them in your tacklebox), and you cannot use squid as bait without proof of purchase.

Visit the calamari closure areas on the Fishing Tas Website for more information.

Get your guide

Hard copies of the 2024-25 Recreational Sea Fishing Guide and updated fish rulers and boat sticker rulers are available from 21 October at Service Tasmania. You can also find the guide in your Fishing Tas App, or on the Fisheries Tasmania website.

Buy your licence

Licences will also be available for purchase from 21 October at Service Tasmania or online at fishing.tas.gov.au/licence. Purchasing your licence directly from us is always the cheapest and safest way to become licenced, rather than from a third-party vendor.

Download or update the Fishing Tas app

What's coming up?

Mon 21 Oct: Licences, Sea Fishing Guide and rulers available
Sat 19 Oct:

  • See us at the Longford Show
  • See us at the Tamar Discovery Day -
  • Seahorse World, Beauty Point
Fri 1 Nov:
  • New scalefish rules take effect for all fishers
  • Squid - North Coast - OPEN
  • Striped Trumpeter - OPEN
Sat 2 Nov: Rock lobster - Waters outside East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone - OPEN
Fri 15 Nov:
  • Squid - South east - OPEN
  • Garfish - Southern Waters - CLOSED
Sat 7 Dec: Rock lobster - East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone - OPEN

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