Open Season for Crustaceans

Tropical rock lobsters are back on the menu in Queensland with the season underway.

Queensland Boating and Fishing Patrol (QBFP) education officer Karl Roebuck said it was essential anglers were aware of bag and size limits for tropical rock lobster also known as spiny rock lobster.

"Recreational fishers will again be able to enjoy catching these crustaceans, with the season reopening on January 31, but are encouraged to familiarise themselves with rules and regulations for Queensland before heading out.

"The tropical rock lobster size limit is a minimum of 11.5cm tail length and 9cm carapace length.

"Different rules apply of 3 or 5 bag limits per person dependent on where the species is collected so checking the rules for your particular area is important.

"For boat users, there is a limit of 6 tropical rock lobster per boat for above 14° south or 10 tropical rock lobster per boat for below 14° south.

"Tropical rock lobsters caught by recreational fishers must have the central flap of the tail removed, or puncture the flap with a hole at least 10mm in diameter.

"This allows it to be differentiated from commercial caught rock lobsters."

Mr Roebuck said spanner crab closures had also recently finished late last year throughout Queensland enabling recreational fishers to catch these tasty crustaceans.

"The recreational fishing spanner crab size limit is a minimum of 10 cm with a bag limit of 20.

"In addition to bag and size limits, fishers should also be aware of protected species," Mr Roebuck said.

"Fishers cannot take the following species without a permit:

•  
  • female mud and blue swimmer crabs,
  • egg-bearing spanner crabs, slipper lobsters and tropical rocklobsters, and
  • tar-spot tropical rocklobsters."

For detailed information on Queensland's recreational fishing rules and regulations visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.