The future of rock lobster monitoring and regulation in Tasmania

Two IMAS papers have investigated options to monitor and regulate rock lobster catches around Tasmania, both to help improve statewide fishery health and rebuild East Coast stocks.

One study identified alternative catch monitoring systems and ways that the recreational catch could be limited in the heavily fished East Coast region, beyond traditional daily bag limit adjustments.

The second paper considered alternate size limit zones for rock lobster in northern, eastern and southern Tasmania, to improve lobster egg production and fishery performance. It can be viewed here (appendix three).

Both papers contributed to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s (NRE Tas) recent management changes to the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery.

Managing recreational rock lobster catches on the East Coast

The first study investigated lobster management options on the East Coast. This included regulation of the recreational catch through individual season limits (ISL), which is the maximum number of lobster an individual can catch within a season.

This option could be used to constrain the East Coast recreational catch to a total catch limit to meet fishery recovery targets, while ensuring equal catch opportunities for all fishers.

“Prior research found that an ISL would need to be limited to around four lobsters per fisher, per year under the former notional recreational catch limit on the East Coast to explicitly regulate the recreational catch,” lead author and IMAS researcher Dr Samantha Twiname said.

“However, fishers surveyed as part of the study indicated that a minimum ISL of less than 20 lobsters per season was unacceptable to them.”

Dr Twiname said the project also included trialling the NRE Tas Rock Lobster Catch Monitoring App in March and April 2021, which allowed recreational fishers to record catches on the East Coast.

“The study found that fishers using the app to self-report their catches could improve catch monitoring and control in line with future catch targets. This supply of real-time data can be used to monitor and enforce an ISL if such a management measure is needed.

“Fishers who tested the app were supportive of the technology to ensure stock sustainability as it’s a practical and more cost-effective method than using traditional catch tags.”

NRE Tas has been trialling the app fishery-wide since December to help identify improvements, including education, compliance, and clarifying the need for a mandatory app in the future. Importantly, the trial also compares the difference between self-reported catch data and catch estimates through annual IMAS surveys.

Annual recreational catch surveys will continue and will be assessed against app data. Catch cards, and online and phone reporting were also identified as alternative reporting methods for those who cannot or would not use an app. These appear to be feasible for monitoring recreational catches.

Considering new size limit zones 

The second paper investigated the benefits of three new size limit areas, which NRE Tas is also assessing.

“Lobster growth varies substantially throughout Tasmania,” lead author and IMAS researcher Dr Klaas Hartmann said.

“Until recently there was only a single size limit that meant lobsters were being caught too early in some areas, resulting in lost reproductivity and inadequate protection of female lobsters. Regional size limits will allow us to make the most of our stock.”

Dr Hartman said in the northern region, researchers explored the advantages of increasing female size limits from 105mm to 120mm and male size limits from 110mm to 115mm.

“The current limits allow female lobsters to be caught at a young age before some have had an opportunity to spawn and while both female and male lobsters are still growing rapidly.

“This change will allow more females to spawn before being harvested. Catch rates and production would be improved with an even higher male size limit in the north, which was only increased to 115mm to bias the catch towards males. This further protects females and boosts egg production.”

For the eastern region, researchers simulated the effects of increasing the male size limit from 110mm to 115mm and female size limit from 105mm to 115mm.

“The size limit changes will provide similar benefits to the north of the state but, as lobsters grow comparatively slower on the East Coast, a smaller size increase is appropriate,” Dr Hartmann said.

“The size limits, in combination with other measures on the East Coast, will also result in an increase of large lobsters, which may prevent the formation of Longspined sea urchin barrens.”

Researchers also concluded that size limits in the southern zone – 110mm for males and 105mm for females – are sufficient to protect stock in this region, with no changes required.