RecSeaFishingGuide FULL

Recreational
Sea Fishing Guide

2017-18
1 November 2017 - 31 October 2018
Wild Fisher
Depar tmentiesofManagement Br anch
Depar
Pr imartment of ies,
y Industr Pr imar
Paryks,Industr
Wateries,
andParEnvironment
ks, Water and Environment
Is your catch
from the nose to the end of the tail except:
SHARKS AND RAYS BOAT LIMIT
shark: nose to tail or back gill slit to base of
banded morwong: nose to fork of the tail

Catch limits are a combined total
79
garfish: upper jaw to the end of the tail

5
for all species in a fish group.
MEASURE SCALEFISH
78
(all species combined)

77
tail if headed and tailed
legal size?
76
75
or 45cm headed and tailed

School and Gummy shark
74
except ornamental species

Sharks and Rays, other
75cm
73
*Other fish not listed,

2
72
10
2
71
5
70
Shark (Mako and Blue)

2
Whiting, other
69
39
30
36 37 38
33 34 35
30
32
2
30 31
68
28 29
15
26 27 Bastard
23 24 25 Whiting trumpeter Flathead,
22
15
21 Snapper - King George Bluespotted

1
20
Cod
18 19 38cm
67
15 16 17 Warehou Wrasse 35cm and Rock.

12 13 14 Only 1 over 60cm
9 10 11 n Bream 30cm
8 Australian salmo
25
6 7 Flounder 40cm
66
3 4 5 Leatherjacket Garfish and Tiger

Flathead, Sand
Tuna, Skipjack
l Fish Ruler
0 1 Silver trevally
20
Blue-eye trevalla
s ong
Morwong, Jackas 32cm Banded morw
Recreationa
65
20cm Mullet and tailed) 45cm

10
36 - 46cm
10
shark (headed
l and Gummy eter 55cm
10
BL11180
25cm tail kingfish, Schoo Striped trump
Boarfish, Yellow y shark 75cm
School and Gumm
64
Snook
.
FISH WATCH
ber 2015.
No Minimum Size
limits may change

5
Valid as of 1 Novem and possession L FISHING

guide only. Size .fishing.tas.gov
.au REPORT ILLEGA
This ruler is a 0427 655 557
ation go to www
63
For updated inform Fish Guide app.

Tas
or download the and Environment
Tuna, Albacore
ries, Parks, Water

62
y Indust
10
Primar
Depar tment of FEM
Pike, Longfin
30
30
ALE
Barracouta
61
5
15
15
60
Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin, Bigeye)
over 1.5m)
4 (Only 2
59
2
Swordfish or Marlin
Atlantic salmon
58
105m
(marine waters)
24
m
1
57
al
the s.
12
read
ation uge
1
1. Sp tennal horn rd
TC H
Recre ster GaLY
an tip ha
gauge notch.
56
WA FISHING
2
F ISRTHILLEGAL 557
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2. Pla o the midd
Mackerel and Redbait
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0427
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Rock
55
t
n
u
Trout (marine waters)
e nl a r ge m e
ov.a
A
GE IS
60
.tas.g
20
IS GAU
54
ing
Striped trumpeter
TH
.fish
www
24
30
m
53
110m
8
12
Gurnard and Ocean Perch
52
145mm
4
waters
55cm
Other
51
Squid, Calamari
notch
from
easure ace.
20
30
to Bridport
3. M end of carap
50
to 132mm Montagu Island east

10
15
E
MAL
GREENLIP
49
Recreational
48
1. Check size before

Abalone Gauge FISHWATCH
Squid, Goulds
detaching from rock.

30
Elephantfish
4
REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING

47
2. Measure the widest

part of the shell. THIS GAUGE IS A GUIDE ONLY 0427 655 557
15
Banded morwong
2
46
www.fishing.tas.gov.au
maximum size for
BLACKLIP
45
m
80m Arthur River east to 120mm
44
Longsnout boarfish
Musselroe Point
Yellowtail kingfish
45cm
43
138mm
10
4
Other waters
42
OY
GHB
41
DOU
Re
Scall creationa
40
Measu
re
part of the widest
op G l
auge
Bluespotted and Rock
the sh THIS
39
ell
GAU
Only 1 over 60cm
GE IS
ww w.fis A GU
Banded morwong
IDE O
h ing.t
38
10
COM
36 - 46cm
N
MER as.go LY
Flathead,
& QU CIAL v.au

4
EEN F IS H
WA
Bastard trumpeter
37
REPO
5
RT T
0427ILLEGAL FISCHIH
2
38cm
655
40cm
10
NG
557
36
5
35
100m
King George Whiting
34
m
35cm
33
10
Fla th ea d
32
d survive
Help released flathea
31
Flathead ID Guide
Flathead catch limits
Flathead, Sand and Tiger
and black • Use a de-hooker

dark bands on the body
30
Sand flathead: Sandy brown, is longer to quickly release

lower spine on the gill cover
32cm
Size limits: blotch on the tail fin. The unwanted fish

32cm than the upper. • If the hook is
29
30
Flathead, Bluespotted and

Rock 40cm swallowed, cut the line
with darker bands and orange
Po ck et
Tiger flathead: Grey brown body and • Choose circle or
30cm
gill cover no markings. A rounder

spots. Lower tail fin has
28
10
10
on the gill barbless hooks to

20
spines flathead. The lower spine

larger teeth than the sand
increase survival
Snapper
cover is longer than the upper.

Wrasse
• Use a damp cloth or
Ru ler
27
brown body scattered with

wet hands if you must
Bluespotted flathead: Light spots handle fish
d with dark blotches. Dark
26
small blue spots intermingle spines

the tail fin. The two gill cover
surrounded by white on
are a similar length.
25
Possession limits: 20 30
(combined) y Industr ies,
Illustrations by Peter Gouldthorpe
with rows Depar tment of Pr imar

Valid as at 1 November 2015.
10
Rock (combined) 5 dark greenish brown body ent
Flathead, Bluespotted and Rock flathead: A mottled
fin. The lower gill cover spine
is shorter This ruler is a guide only. Par ks, Water and Environm
24
(only 1 over 60cm) of dark spots on the tail www.fishing.tas.gov.au

than the upper.
30
30
20
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
23
Warehou
Possession limit
Flounder
Bag limit
Mullet
15
15
Minimum legal size

10
22
32cm
BL11180
Sand flathead
21
Jackass morwong
Gouldthorpe
25cm
30
20
20
by Peter
Garfish
15
10
19
BL10985 Illustration
Silver trevally
20
18
10
10
17
Bream
16
Use this ruler to measur

e your catch.
Don’t keep flathead
15
1 2 3 4 smaller than this.

Leatherjacket
5 6
20cm
7
20
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
14
16 17 18 19 20
10
21 22 23
0427 655 557
24
FISHWATCH
25 26 27 28 29
13
30 31 32 33 34 35
12
There are no excuses

Australian salmon
30
11
15
10
This ruler is a guide only. Size and possession limits may change.
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

9
For updated information go to www.fishing.tas.gov.au

8
Boat
limit
7
Recreational
Possession
6
or download the Tas Fish Guide app.
for undersize fish.

GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
Fish Ruler
limit
5
Valid as of 1 November 2015.
limit
4
Bag
3
20cm Minimum
2
size
Rulers and gauges available free from Service Tasmania shops.

1
0
CONTENTS
MINISTER’S MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2017-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
FISHERY NEWS AND RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3
FISHING AND THE COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LICENCES AND SEASONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
LICENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SEASONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SCALEFISH AND SHARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SCALEFISH - SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
BAIT AND BERLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SHARK - SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SCALEFISH FISHING GEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
RESPONSIBLE FISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
ABALONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SIZE, BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
MEASURING AND HANDLING ABALONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
ROCK LOBSTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SIZE, BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ROCK LOBSTER FISHING GEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
ROCK LOBSTER AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
OTHER FISHERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SCALLOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SQUID, CALAMARI AND OCTOPUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
CRABS, PRAWNS AND SEAWEED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SHELLFISH AND SHELL COLLECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
MARINE PESTS AND DISEASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
PROTECTED AND THREATENED SPECIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
MARINE NATURE RESERVES AND RESEARCH AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
SHARK REFUGE AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
NET AND LINE AREA RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
ESTUARIES, RIVERS AND LAGOONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
CONTACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the 2017-18 The aim of this Guide is to present fishing

edition of the Recreational laws in an easy to read way. Please use it
to check up on the basic rules before you
Sea Fishing Guide. go fishing and play your part in protecting
4 Recreational sea fishing is one of our the long-term sustainability of our valuable
state’s fantastic experiences enjoyed fisheries.
by thousands of Tasmanians. Now The Guide includes the latest marine
it’s also attracting record numbers of research news such as the East Coast
fishers from interstate and overseas rock lobster stock rebuilding assessment
generating economic benefits in regional and the recent scallop survey of the
communities. D’Entrecasteaux Channel conducted by
Recreational fishers make a significant the Institute for Marine and Antarctic
contribution to our local economy, Studies. You can also visit
spending an average of $1,000, or a total www.fishing.tas.gov.au to keep up
of $93 million on boats, fuel and fishing to date on the latest information about
gear annually. seasons, catch limits and area changes.
Your fishing licence fees continue to be Finally, in 2018 the Fishcare Tasmania
put to good use, paying for recreational program turns 20. Congratulations
surveys and research to better manage and thank you to all past and present
fish stocks. Licence fees also pay for volunteers for doing an amazing job
products that protect this resource educating fishers around the state.
through education such as Guides, rulers, Happy Fishing!
signs and brochures.
Jeremy Rockliff MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Recreational Sea Fishing Guide

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2017-18
Northern Calamari New measuring gauges

Spawning Closure available
2017: Two areas in the north of the state New stocks of plastic fish measuring
closed from 6-22 October to protect gauges are available this season with a 5
spawning squid including calamari. The refreshed design featuring black gauge tips
areas were (1) from Woolnorth Point east to make measuring your catch underwater
to Table Cape and (2) from Point Sorell east easier.
to Stony Head including Port Sorell and the An abalone multi-gauge now replaces the
Tamar River. These areas were different to previously separate blacklip and greenlip
the larger area originally proposed. gauges. It has been updated with the new
2018: The effectiveness of the closure northern waters blacklip size limit.
areas and dates will be reviewed based The rock lobster gauge includes a diagram
on IMAS research findings. Confirmation of how to measure rock lobster correctly
about closures applying in 2018 will be using easy to follow instructions.
available by mid-2018.
A reminder that the plastic gauges
See www.fishing.tas.gov.au or follow are a guide only. If fishing close to the
Fisheries Tasmania Facebook for maps and size limit, use a certified metal gauge.
more information.
Northern Abalone Size

Limit Reduced
The recreational size limit for blacklip
abalone in northern waters (Arthur River Available free from Service Tasmania shops
east to Musselroe Point) has been reduced and Fishcare Tasmania.
to 120mm (previously 127mm), effective
from March 2017. The new size limit
better reflects the growth rate of abalone
across the north coast.

FISHERY NEWS AND RESEARCH
East Coast Rock Lobster • An estimated total recreational catch of

Stock Rebuilding Strategy 87,650 lobster equating to 87.9 tonnes.
The East Coast Rock Lobster Stock • 68% of the total catch taken by pot,
6 Rebuilding Strategy aims to rebuild rock 29% by dive and 3% ring.
lobster biomass on the East Coast to • The average catch rate was 1.07
greater than 20% of virgin (unfished) lobster per day fished - 0.87 for pots,
biomass by 2023. To achieve this target, 1.90 for dive, and 1.88 for rings.
the total recreational and commercial • 43% of active fishers retained 1-5
catch needs to be limited. IMAS will lobsters for the period; 6% took more
continue to monitor the recreational and than 20.
commercial catch and stock status against • The total recreational catch was 52%
the rebuilding targets. As stocks rebuild of the total allowable recreational catch
and catch rates improve, further adaptive (TARC) of 170 tonnes.
management may need to be considered
in the future to limit the catch to the Just over 50 tonnes, almost 60% of
predetermined level. the total recreational catch was taken
from the East Coast (Eddystone Point
to Southport). This exceeded the
recreational notional catch share of 42
2016/17 Rock Lobster
tonnes, as outlined in the East Coast
Season - survey and catch Stock Rebuilding Strategy (April 2017)
estimates by 8.2 tonnes. This compared with an
18,000 individuals held a rock lobster licence ‘under-catch’ of 6.3 tonnes in 2015-16
- 15,200 pot, 8,000 dive and 4,400 ring. and an ‘over-catch’ of 13.6 tonnes in
2014-15. The lower catch in 2015-16 was
The annual IMAS survey of rock lobster
influenced by extensive biotoxin closures.
licence holders for the period 1 November
2016 to 30 April 2017 reported: Read the IMAS report at:
www.fishing.tas.gov.au/
recreational-fisheries-research
Photo: Emma Flukes

FISHERY NEWS AND RESEARCH
Rock Lobster Fishery - Stay Informed

Biotoxin Information DPIPWE has developed the Recreational
Rock Lobster Fishery Biotoxin Events
Background Policy in consultation with stakeholders to 7
Extensive algal blooms affecting the rock determine management responses during
lobster fishery occurred off the East Coast a PST event in the rock lobster fishery.
of Tasmania during 2012/13 and 2015/16 Read this policy and stay informed about
seasons, with a minor bloom in 2017. biotoxin events at:
Cysts of toxic alga can lie dormant on Web: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/sea-
the seabed until favourable environmental fishing-aquaculture/sustainable-
conditions return meaning there is a fisheries-management/Biotoxin-
higher probability of future blooms. Fishery-Events
What are Paralytic Shellfish Toxins Facebook: www.facebook.com/
(PSTs)? FisheriesTasmania
Paralytic shellfish toxins are produced Email alerts: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/
by naturally occurring algae that are emailnews
consumed by shellfish including mussels, Public health information on eating
oysters, clams, scallops, abalone and pipis. recreationally harvested wild shellfish:
Rock lobster feed on shellfish and can www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au
then become contaminated. PSTs build up
in specific organs (rarely in the flesh) and
can be dangerous to humans when eaten.
Can I transit through a biotoxin
closed zone to an open zone?
Yes you can transit during a biotoxin closure,
for example if an Eastern Region zone is
closed for biotoxin reasons, fishers can
possess pots, rings and lobster in their
boats and transit the closed area. This
is different to the rules applying during
a seasonal closure when Eastern Region
waters are not open so fishers cannot
transit through them carrying rock lobster,
pots or rings, for example to access an
open area in the Western Region.
Why can’t I have a licence refund if
I fish in a biotoxin closure area?
Licences grant access to all Tasmanian
waters and biotoxin closures apply only
to specific zones within those waters.
Licence holders can still fish in other areas
of the state outside any closed areas.

FISHERY NEWS
D’Entrecasteaux Channel would be over the possession limit.

Scallop Fishery remains If you caught 20 previously and ate 10
last night or gave 10 away, you now only
closed possess 10. You can still go out the next
8 An Institute for Marine and Antarctic day and catch your daily bag limit of 20.
Studies survey conducted in 2017 has The other fishers in your house can also
found no scientific basis to justify a scallop possess up to 30 fish and do not affect
fishery in the Channel for the next 3-5 your individual limits.
years because:
If I am fishing with mates, is there
• Commercial and doughboy scallops an overall boat limit?
remain in very low densities; and
There is no boat limit for flathead.
• Moderate densities of queen scallops Only individual bag limit and possession
are present but restricted to small, limits apply. If there are 2 or even 5
isolated beds. fishers on a boat, then each fisher can
To read the IMAS report to to the take up to the bag limit of 20 sand and
Recreational Fisheries Research webpage tiger flathead. Each person must take
at www.fishing.tas.gov.au. into account what they possess in total,
which is what they have caught today and
what they possess back at the camp or
home. You cannot exceed your individual
possession limit of 30 flathead.
How many flathead can we have
when returning from the shack?
If you have been fishing with a group
and you are travelling back in a car, your
Understanding Flathead individual catch limits are not affected. For
Possession Limits example, for 4 fishers in a car, each fisher
Sand and Tiger Flathead (combined) can have their bag limit of 20 providing the
20 30 individual does not possess more than 30
Bluespotted and Rock (combined) anywhere in the State. If you have been
(only 1 over 60 cm) on a camping trip fishing over a few days,
5 10 each person can have 30 if they don’t
possess flathead elsewhere.
How many flathead can I keep?
Per day, as an individual, you can keep up
to a total of 20 for the sand and tiger
flathead group. You also need to consider
what you possess at home. If you already
have 10 or less at home you can keep all
20 that you caught as you are within your
daily bag limit and your possession
limit. But if you have 20 in the freezer,
you can only keep 10 otherwise you

FISHWISE – Your licence fees at work
Revenue from the sale of sea fishing

licences supports the Fishwise fund. This
pays for the management of recreational
fishing, including licensing and provides
funds for programs that support
recreational fishing activities including:
• Communication – fisheries awareness
and education such as this sea fishing
guide, rulers, gauges and brochures. Fish ID sign at Coles Bay
Recreational Fisheries
Advisory Committee
The Recreational Fisheries Advisory
Committee (RecFAC) provides advice
to the Minister on recreational fisheries
matters including fishery management plan
reviews and Fishwise Grant applications.
Most members are recreational
fishers as well as a member each from
DPIPWE, IMAS, TARFISH, the Tasmanian
Conservation Trust and the Marine Police.
• Fishcare – promotes community Membership is renewed every 2-3 years.
involvement in fishing, better fishing
practices and protecting fish resources. Fish measuring rulers and gauges are
• Resource sustainability – funds available at Service Tasmania shops.
scheduled recreational fishing surveys
and other research.
Fish measuring rulers are funded by licence fees

FISHCARE TASMANIA
Fishcare Schools Program

Fishcare operates a free schools program
and fishing clinics for children of all ages
10 which aim to increase responsible fishing
behaviours. Our volunteers are schools-
trained and have resources such as fishing
gear available for students to use.
Promoting Responsible
Recreational Fishing
Fishcare Tasmania is a volunteer program
that educates the community about
sustainable recreational fishing practices.
Fishcare’s key messages are:
• releasing undersize fish;
• handle fish with care; and
• only take what you need for a feed.
Fishcare volunteers attend community
events such as fishing clinics, boat shows In-school presentations are available
and AgFest. They also maintain Fish
Measuring and ID signs around the state.
Become a Fishcare
Volunteer
As a recreational fisher, you may be
interested in becoming a Fishcare
Volunteer. If you like talking to adults
and children about responsible fishing
and can volunteer for around 2-3 hours
per month, please contact the Regional
Fishcare Coordinator in your area.
Contacts
www.fishing.tas.gov.au/fishcare
Book a fishing clinic for your school email: fishcare@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Southern Tasmania Ph: (03) 6165 3039
The program is funded by Fishwise - your
Northern Tasmania Ph: (03) 6777 2082
licence fees at work.
Northwest Tasmania Ph: 0408 337 317

20 YEARS OF FISHCARE
In February 2018, the What has Fishcare achieved?

Fishcare Tasmania • Greater awareness of responsible
fishing practices and fishing rules.
program turns 20.
• Increased levels of voluntary 11
The program was set up in 1998 to
compliance with rules by recreational
drive stewardship of responsible fishing
fishers.
practices by Tasmanian recreational fishers.
Volunteers engage the community by • Lasting impact on young fishers
conducting fisheries awareness activities behaviour through the Fish for the
and schools-based activities for young Future program.
fishers. • Intensive fisheries education coverage
in urban and regional areas.
Since the first intake of southern
volunteers 20 years ago, hundreds
more have participated in the statewide
program, spending thousands of hours
at events including fishing clinics, boat
shows, community events and Agfest.
Today, surveys document a high level
of recognition of Fishcare volunteers
and activities by the recreational fishing
community.
Thank you to our many Fishcare
volunteers, past and present.

INSTITUTE FOR MARINE AND ANTARCTIC STUDIES
S P O T. LOG. M A P.
12
www.redmap.org.au
The Institute for Marine and Antarctic
Studies (IMAS) collaborates with the
Tasmanian Government to deliver
research relevant to recreational fishing
including biology of important species,
estimating recreational catch and social
and economic assessments.
What if I catch a tagged fish?

IMAS have a number of tagging programs
underway, such as rock lobster, mako
shark, flathead, southern blue fin tuna,
trumpeter and banded morwong. For
either t-bar and acoustic tags, please
record the species, area of capture, fish
length, tag number and date of capture
then call IMAS on (03) 6226 8280 or email
fish.tag@utas.edu.au
Tailor, yellowtail kingfish and eastern rock

lobster are examples of range-extended
species that can be mapped on Redmap
REDMAP invites the Tasmanian community
All t-bar tag information returns will go
to spot, log and map marine species
into a draw to win a prize. Every acoustic
considered uncommon in their local seas.
tag returned automatically receives a
reward. Your sightings are mapped on the site,
demonstrating how species distributions
may be changing in time.
To register your sighting please download
our smartphone app, visit the Redmap
website at www.redmap.org.au or
contact the Redmap Team at
enquiries@redmap.org.au.
Acoustic tag T-bar tag

FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT
How to Report Illegal Buying or Selling

Fishing Recreational Fish is
Fishwatch is a 24-hour hotline run by Illegal
Tasmania Marine Police for information 13
You are not allowed to sell, buy,
on illegal fishing activities. Help combat barter or raffle recreationally caught
illegal fishing by reporting: fish. Both the seller and purchaser
• The time and location of the offence; are liable for prosecution and heavy
• Fishing gear used including licence or fines may apply. Offenders may face
ID numbers; confiscation of boats and fishing gear
and be prevented from holding a
• Car registration numbers and boat
fishing licence in the future.
names, descriptions or distinguishing
marks; and Can I give fish away?
• The name or description of person/s If you give fish away, make sure the
involved. receiver understands the possession limits
Information can be given anonymously. for that species. Proof of purchase is
required if you have fish in excess of the
possession limit.
Fisheries legislation
FISHWATCH Tasmania’s recreational sea fisheries are
managed under the Living Marine Resources
0427 655 557 Management Act 1995.
Tasmanian fisheries legislation

For general fishing enquiries, see Contacts can be viewed at
on page 77. www.fishing.tas.gov.au/legislation

LICENCES
What type of fishing needs Where do I buy or renew a

a licence? licence?
You need a licence for the following types Fishing licences are available from all
of recreational sea fishing: Service Tasmania shops and on the
• abalone; internet at
www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence.
• rock lobster dive;
14 • rock lobster pot; When will my licence
• rock lobster ring; expire?
• scallop; The recreational licensing year begins on
• graball net; 1 November each year. Licences are valid
from the date of issue to 31 October.
• mullet net;
• beach seine net; and Age Restrictions
• set line (includes longline and dropline). You must be at least 10 years of age to
You don’t need a licence for rod and line hold a rock lobster, graball net, mullet net
fishing in marine waters but an Inland or set line licence.
Fisheries Licence is required for any
fishing in inland waters including some
Biotoxin closures
river mouths and estuaries. See page 72. Please note refunds are not granted if you
are unable to fish due to biotoxin closures.
Licence Fees
From 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018, the following costs apply:
Standard Licence: $54.25 - first licence (base fee of $46.50
plus $7.75 for first licence). Each additional
licence type - $7.75.
Concession Licence: Commonwealth $31.00 - first licence (base fee of $23.25
Pension, DVA Concession, Government plus $7.75 for first licence). Each additional
Seniors cardholders and persons under 16. licence type - $7.75.
Health Care cardholders are not eligible.
Additional Licence: $7.75 - add a licence type plus the cost of
the new licence.
Replacement Licence: $7.75 - replacement licence card. Order
online or from Service Tasmania.
Special Rock Lobster Licence: $46.50 - must hold a recreational rock
(increased possession limit for 14 days) lobster licence. Western Region only.

Check your existing Marking Your Gear
licence online When you apply for a licence you will be
To check your existing licences or your issued with a unique licence number (two
licence number go to: letters and four numbers) that you can
www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence and continue to use in future years. You must
select ‘Check my existing licence’. mark your buoy with this number for rock
lobster pots, caufs and unattended rings
(see page 41), graball and mullet nets (page 15
31) and setlines (page 28).
Your Contact Details

Please keep your contact details up to
date. They are used to return lost gear A marker buoy with licence number
and contact you about fishery matters
such as surveys. Aboriginal Fishing
Aboriginal persons engaged in aboriginal
fishing activities in marine waters are
Digital licences exempt from holding a fishing licence but
When you buy a licence online, you can be must comply with all other fisheries rules
emailed an image of your licence. as if they were licensed. If using pots, caufs,
unattended rings, gillnets or set lines, they
must mark and display on their gear a
unique identifying code (UIC). Further
details about aboriginal fishing and how to
apply for a UIC are available at
www.fishing.tas.gov.au.
Save a copy of your licence on your phone.

SEASONS
Species Season
Banded morwong Closed from 1 March to 30 April inclusive each year.
Striped trumpeter Closed from 1 September to 31 October inclusive each

16 year.
Rock lobster and giant crab Females

Western Region Open from 4 November 2017 to 30 April 2018 inclusive.
Males
Open from 4 November 2017 to 31 August 2018
inclusive.
Rock lobster and giant crab Open from 18 November 2017 to 30 April 2018
Eastern Region inclusive.
Scallops Open from 24 March 2018 to 31 July 2018 inclusive.

A closure for scallop fishing remains in place for the
D’Entrecasteaux Channel for the 2018 season.
Squid / Calamari East Coast

Upper south east coast waters including Great Oyster
Bay and Mercury Passage closed from 15 October to
14 November each year.
North Coast
A 2017 closure applied from 6 – 22 October 2017 –
see page 5.
For 2018 dates, check www.fishing.tas.gov.au.
Fisheries may be closed at spawning times for some species to protect breeding stock or
to limit the catch for a fishery. There may also be closures under emergency provisions for
public health reasons.
If not listed, no recreational season applies. Any changes to published fishing seasons or
biotoxin closures will be posted at www.fishing.tas.gov.au.

SCALEFISH
Licence Area Restrictions

Recreational licences are required to use a See page 50.
gillnet (graball or mullet net), a beach seine
net and a setline (longline or dropline).
You must be 10 years or older to hold a Safe Eating of Scalefish
gillnet or set line licence. More details on
Derwent Estuary
page 28.
• Heavy metal contamination in the
Measuring Scalefish Derwent Estuary affects the type and
amount of seafood caught in the area
Most scalefish are measured from the
that you should eat.
nose to the end of the tail. Get a free
scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any • The Director of Public Health advises
Service Tasmania or local tackle shop. people not to eat bream caught in the
Derwent Estuary and Browns River. 17
The exceptions are:

Banded Morwong: Nose to caudal fork
• Limit meals of Derwent caught scalefish

to no more than two per week or
one meal per week for pregnant and
breastfeeding women, women planning
to become pregnant and children aged
6 years and younger.
• More information at
www.derwentestuary.org.au/
seafood-safety
Other Areas
• For areas outside the Derwent Estuary,
fish can be eaten as part of a balanced
diet in line with Food Standards
Garfish: Upper jaw to end of tail Australia New Zealand advice – see
www.foodstandards.gov.au/
Filleting Fish at Sea consumer/chemicals/mercury/
You can clean fish at sea although special pages/default.aspx.
rules apply for striped trumpeter and See page 47 for information on eating
shark. For fish that have been filleted, two shellfish safely.
fillets are deemed to be the equivalent of
one fish.

SCALEFISH - SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS
Fish Group
FLATHEAD
Flathead - Sand and Tiger
32cm 20 30
(sand & tiger flathead combined). Sand flathead
Identifying features: Sandy brownish colour covered in spots that vary from white to black
with occasional reddish brown spots along the sides. May also have dark bands across the
body and a distinctive large black blotch on the tail fin. There are two prominent spines
18 on the gill cover, the lower spine being longer than the upper spine.
Tiger flathead
Identifying features: A light brown or pinkish grey colour on the body with orange-brown
spots. Dark bands of colour may also be present on the body and the lower rear part of
the tail has no markings. Has a rounder body shape and larger canine teeth than the sand
flathead. The lower spine on the gill cover is longer than the upper spine.
Flathead - Southern Bluespotted and Rock
40cm 5 (only 1 over 60cm) 10
(bluespotted and rock flathead combined). Southern Bluespotted flathead
Identifying features: Lighter sandy brown body with scattered small blue to white spots
intermingled with dark blotches. The lower tail fin has dark spots surrounded by white.
The two spines on the gill cover are of a similar length.
Rock flathead
Identifying features: Has a dark mottled appearance including a greenish to pale brown
rounded body and several rows of dark spots on the rays of the yellowish tail. Two prominent
spines on the gill cover with the lower spine shorter than the upper spine.

Fish Group Tasselled anglerfish
Anglerfish, Prowfish and

Red Velvetfish (ornamental species) Red velvet fish
No minimum size.
2 4
Barracouta
No minimum size.
15 30
19
Boarfish
45cm (longsnout boarfish only).
2 4
No spearing.
Bream (marine waters)

25cm 5 10
No spearing.
Cod
No minimum size.
15 30
Flounder
25cm 15 30
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
20cm Minimum size Bag limit Possession limit Boat limit
Catch limits are a combined total for all species in a fish group.

Fish Group
Garfish
25cm 15 30
male
Groper, Blue female
0 0
*Zero catch limits to protect this
predator of long-spined sea urchins.
Common Gurnard
Perch
20 Gurnard and Ocean Perch Ocean Perch
No minimum size.
15 30
Be careful of venomous spines.
Herring Cale
No minimum size.
5 10
Kingfish, Yellowtail
45cm 5 10
Leatherjacket
20cm 10 20
Mackerel and Redbait Jack mackerel

Redbait
No minimum size.
30 60
Blue mackerel
Morwong, Banded
Legal size between 36 - 46cm
2 4 Season applies.

Fish Group
Morwong, Jackass and Other

25cm 10 20
Mullet
25cm 15 30
Pike, Longfin
No minimum size.
15 30
21
Salmon, Atlantic
No minimum size.
12 24 (marine waters).
Salmon, Australian
20cm 15 30
Snook
No minimum size.
5 10
Snapper
30cm 5 10
Tailor
No minimum size.
5 10
Trevalla, Blue-eye
No minimum size.
5 10 25

Fish Group
Trevally, Silver
20cm 10 20
Tuna, Bluefin, Yellowfin and Bigeye Bluefin tuna

No minimum size.
2 2 4
(only 2 over 1.5m in a boat)
Tuna - Albacore
Albacore tuna
22 No minimum size.
5 10
Skipjack tuna
Tuna - Skipjack
No minimum size.
10 20
Swordfish
No minimum size.
1 1 2
Marlin
No minimum size.
1 1 2
Trout
12 24 (marine waters).
Specific bag limits apply in inland waters.
Refer to Inland Fisheries Code.
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
Catch limits are a combined total for all species in a fish group.

Fish Group
Trumpeter, Bastard
38cm 5 10
Trumpeter, Striped
55cm 4 8 20
Must be landed whole with head and tail
attached, or as fillets with the frames.
Season applies.
Warehou 23
25cm 10 20
Whiting, King George

35cm 5 10
Whiting, Other
No minimum size.
15 30
female
Wrasse
30cm 5 10
male
Other Scalefish Species

For species not listed above:
5 10

BAIT AND BERLEY
What can I use as Bait? Bait Invertebrates

It is an offence to use any part of the No minimum size.
following species for bait or berley, 50 100 (species combined)
including baited hooks, bait traps and rock
lobster pots and rings: Includes soldier crabs, marine worms and
burrowing shrimp.
• rock lobster;
• abalone; and Whitebait
• any species listed as protected, For information on the whitebait fishery
including limpets (see page 49). contact the Inland Fisheries Service on
Only the heads and frames of the (03) 6165 3808.
following highly valued fish species may
be used for berley or baiting rock lobster
Using Biosecure Bait
24 pots and rings, unless you have a receipt Only buy bait from locally supplied
for purchasing the fish: sources. Bringing dead or live bait to
Tasmania is prohibited in most instances.
• bastard or striped trumpeter;
Bait originating from other states or
• banded morwong; countries may contain pests and diseases
• boarfish; that do not occur in Tasmania. Call
• tuna other than skipjack; Quarantine Tasmania on 1800 084 881 for
more information.
• trout;
If you catch your own bait, try to source
• school, gummy, blue and mako shark;
it from the same area where you fish.
• yellowtail kingfish. Moving fish including frames, offal and
It is illegal to use undersized fish shells, between locations can spread
for bait. diseases and pests.
Baitfish Species Animal Bait and Berley

No minimum size. Only native animals that have been lawfully
50 100 (species combined). taken (eg. by licensed shooters) can be
used for bait. Road kill may not be used.
Blue Sprat Phone the Nature Conservation Branch
Game Management Officer on
Australian
Anchovy (03) 6777 2084 for more information.
Mammal flesh, blood or offal other than
pellets cannot be used as berley.
Smallmouth Bait Nets & Pumps

hardyhead
Australian See page 29 for bait net specifications.
sardine Sort your catch quickly and release
unwanted fish in good condition.

SHARKS AND RAYS
Size and Possession Limits Other Sharks, Skates and Rays

The only shark species which have a size No minimum size.
limit are school and gummy shark. Sharks 2 4 Overall shark boat
should be kept as trunks or whole until limit – see below.
landed.
School and Gummy Shark
(combined)
75cm or 45cm if headed and tailed.
2 2 Overall shark boat Smooth stingray
limit – see below
Boat Limit 25
There is a boat limit of 5 shark, skates and
School shark rays combined, excluding elephantfish. This
includes mako and blue sharks which also
have their own combined boat limit of 2
(which is counted in the overall shark boat
Gummy shark
limit of 5). For example, a boat can have
Mako and Blue Shark (combined) two makos and three gummies.
No minimum size. Shark Refuge Areas
1 2 2 No shark and ray fishing in Shark Refuge
Mako shark Areas (except elephantfish). See page 57
for a full list of area restrictions. Do not
target sharks at all in Shark Refuge Areas.
Elephantfish
No minimum size.
2 4
Elephantfish Release sharks quickly if you’re not going to

keep them
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS

Measuring Shark Shark Fins
You can measure shark species either The dorsal and pectoral fins must remain
from the tip of the nose to the tip of attached to all shark until they are landed.
the tail or for headed and tailed shark, Refer to the diagram for details of which
measure from the back gill slit to the start fins you can remove to bleed the shark.
of the tail.
Draughtboard Shark
26
Protected Sharks and Rays
Great white shark, Maugean skate, grey
nurse, megamouth, whale and basking Whitespotted Dogfish
shark are protected species.
Broadnose Shark
Port Jackson Shark
(Sevengill)
Shark Fin Removal

Caudal fin
Dorsal fins (may be removed)
(must not be removed)
Sub-terminal
notch
Pelvic fins
(may be removed)
Pectoral fin
(must not be removed)

SCALEFISH FISHING GEAR
Unless gear is specified in this section, it Auxiliary Fishing Gear: Auxiliary

may not be used. Where gear must be fishing gear such as kites and balloons may
marked with a licence number, Aboriginal be used to deploy or retrieve not more
fishers should use an unique identifying than 200 metres of fishing line with 5
code as specified on page 15. The licence hooks or less. This gear is not permitted
holder must personally set and retrieve in rivers or shark refuge areas. To reduce
any scalefish fishing gear and another the risk of interactions with other water
person may assist them if needed eg. to users or losing gear near them, you can
haul the net. not use auxiliary gear within 100 metres
of swimmers, or any vessel or within 400
Hook and Line Fishing metres of a boat ramp, jetty or mooring.
No licence is needed to fish with a hook Auxiliary gear can be used on a boat. If
and line in marine waters, including rod using auxiliary fishing gear from land you
and line, and squid jigs. must remain within 20 metres of the gear 27
Rod and Line: You must attend the and not use the gear more than 20 metres
lines that you are using.You can use any from the high water mark. Auxiliary gear
number of lines with up to 5 hooks, as does not include electric reels or capstans
long as you are within 20 metres of the or haulers used for set lines.
gear, or the lines are attached to the boat Squid Jigs: A squid jig is a baited or
from which you are fishing. artificial lure with one or more sets of
pointed hooks or spikes used to take
squid.You can use up to 3 squid jigs per
line.
Electric reels: Electric reels can be
used with no more than 5 hooks. You
must remain within 20 metres of your
gear.
Set Lines
A set line is an unattended line, either
a dropline or a longline, with up to 15
hooks. A licence is required to use this
gear and area restrictions apply.
• A person may only use one set line at a
time.
• In waters less than 150 metres deep,
you can join your set line to the line
of one other person on your boat,
provided no person uses more than 15
hooks and not more than a total of 30
hooks are used.

• In waters more than 150 metres deep, Spear Guns and Hand
you can join your set line to the lines of Spears (includes Gaffs)
up to 3 others on your boat, provided
no person uses more than 15 hooks Hand spears, spear guns and gaffs can be
and not more than a total of 60 hooks used to take squid, shark, octopus and
are used. any scalefish except bream and boarfish.
Taking rock lobster or abalone with spears
• Set line marker buoys must be clearly or gaffs is prohibited. Spears cannot be
marked with your licence number and used in the Mersey, Leven, and Inglis Rivers
either the letters “LL” for longline or other than to spear flounder.
“DL” for dropline. The buoys must be
at least 195mm in diameter.
• Not more than 4 set lines are
permitted on a boat.
28
• Set lines cannot be set at night. Night
is defined as from one hour before
sunset to one hour before sunrise.
A dropline is set
DL
vertically with one end

weighted and a marker
buoy attached to the
other. When droplines
are joined together,
each fisher must have a
separate marker buoy
attached.
A longline is set
horizontally, weighted
at both ends and with a Flounder spearing tip:
marker buoy attached It is your responsibility to size up
at each end. When flounder before you spear it to be
longlines are joined confident that it is legal size.
together, each fisher must have a separate
marker buoy on each end of the line.
LL

Bait Traps Nets
The only trap allowed is one bait trap per No licence is required to use landing nets,
person. These are used to take baitfish, dip nets, bait nets and cast nets.You can
crabs and prawns. The trap must comply only use one of each of these net types.
with the following dimensions: A separate licence is required to use a
• no larger than 500 mm x 350 mm x graball net, mullet net or beach seine net.
250 mm; Landing Net: A landing net is a hand-
• not more than two entrances that are held net attached to a frame no larger
not larger than 65 mm; and than 600 mm across. The mesh can be any
size. It is preferable to use knotless landing
• mesh between 10 mm and 40 mm.
nets, which cause minimum damage to the
Unattended bait traps must have a buoy fish.You can also use a landing net to catch
or tag attached marked with ‘BT’ and the baitfish or prawns.
user’s surname, initials, year of birth and 29
Dip Net: A dip net is a hand held net
postcode.
attached to a frame no larger than one metre
across with a mesh larger than 20 mm.
Bait Net: A bait net is an encircling net:

• no longer than 6 metres and no deeper
than 2 metres; and
• with mesh 20 mm or smaller.
Bait Pump Cast Net: A cast net must:
A hand-operated bait • be a circular or
pump with a barrel of oval net with a
less than 85 mm may leaded footline
be used. around the
outside; and
• not exceed
6 metres in
diameter.

How to Measure Net Mesh Gillnets

Stretch mesh until upper and lower knots Graball nets and mullet nets, including
touch. Measure mesh at full stretch. those being used as a flounder net, are
types of gillnet. A graball net licence or
mullet net licence allows you to possess
and use only one graball net or one mullet
net in state waters.
• No more than 3 gillnets may be carried
on, or used from a single boat.
• A gillnet cannot be used as an
encircling net eg. as a beach seine net
GILL NET
G
30
Soak times
Beach Seine Net
• Gillnets cannot be set at night
A beach seine net licence allows you to (between one hour before sunset to
possess and use one beach seine net in sunrise), other than graball nets set in
state waters. A beach seine net must: Macquarie Harbour (see next page).
• be an encircling net that does not • Gillnets may be set for up to 6 hours,
exceed 50 metres in length; except in Shark Refuge Areas where
• have a bag or bunt or a panel that they may only be set for up to 2 hours.
forms a bunt and a mesh size at least
30 mm;
• not be pursed or drawn through rings Weighting your net
into the shape of a bag; and All gillnets must be weighted in one of the
• be emptied while in the water. following ways in order to prevent drift:
• a weight of at least 2 kg tied to the
bottom line at each end of the net; or
• a weight of at least 4 kg tied to the
bottom line at one end of the net; or
• the net has a minimum weight, when
dry, of at least 13 kg for a 50 metre net.

Macquarie Harbour Graball Net: One graball net may be
• Night nets may be set in Macquarie used and a licence is required. A graball
Harbour from one hour before sunset net is a single mesh net:
and must be removed from the water • mesh must be between 105 mm and
by one hour after sunrise. A red buoy 140 mm;
not less than 90 mm in diameter must • must not be deeper than 33 meshes or
be attached to each end of all night longer than 50 metres;
nets in addition to 2 white marker
• is a gillnet and
buoys.
therefore must
• Day nets may be set from sunrise and adhere to rules
must be removed from the water by relating to area
one hour before sunset. They may be restrictions,
set for up to 6 hours and no red buoy weights, night
can be attached. 31
setting and
marking with
Help protect threatened Maugean skates buoys; and
in Macquarie Harbour. See page 49. • includes flounder nets, which are a type
Netting area restrictions for Macquarie of graball net.
Harbour are on page 71.
Gillnet Buoys: Gillnets, including mullet
and graball nets, must be marked with two
Mullet Net: One mullet net may be white buoys, one at each end of the net,
used and a licence is required. A mullet net both that:
is a single mesh net: • are both marked with only the licence
• mesh must be between 60 mm and 70 number and ‘G’ for graball or ‘M’ for
mm; mullet net in figures not less than 70
mm high and 12 mm wide;
• must not be longer than 25 metres;
• are at least 195 mm in diameter; and
• must not be set over a rocky bottom
or reef; and • are specifically designed as a buoy and
float on the surface of the water.
• is a gillnet and therefore must adhere
to rules relating to area restrictions, Additional buoys may be used for visibility.
weights, night setting and marking with
buoys.
Lost, Stolen and

Irretrievable Gear
If you leave your net in the water for
longer than allowed due to bad weather,
illness or theft, contact the Marine Police
Fishwatch line on 0427 655 557 and
provide them with your licence number.

RESPONSIBLE FISHING
Increasing Fish Survival

• Minimise the time spent to land the fish
and don’t leave fishing rods unattended.
• Use barbless or circle hooks when
possible to minimise hook damage.
• Where possible release fish while still
in the water or minimise the time they
are out of the water.
32
De-hooking a flathead
Circle and barbless hooks can increase survival
If the fish has swallowed the hook, it has the
rates of released fish
best chance of survival if you cut the line
Handling Fish and release the fish.
• Return the fish to the water quickly Retaining Fish
and gently - don’t throw it - in the area
All fish that are to be kept should be killed
it was caught.
quickly and humanely. The best method
• Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft is by spiking the fish in the centre of the
knot-free mesh to reduce harm to a head immediately behind the eyes with a
fish’s scales, eyes and fins. sharp instrument.
• Handle fish with wet hands or a wet See www.ikijime.com
cloth and don’t place them on hot
surfaces as it damages their protective Fish Waste and Rubbish
slime. Take your whole catch home and
• Hold large fish horizontally, not by the dispose of the waste and shells with your
jaw or gills. household rubbish. If you clean fish at sea,
dispose of fish waste away from shore in
Make your own barbless
the same area you caught it.
hooks by using pliers to
crush the barb
Unhooking Fish Measure

If the fish is hooked by the mouth, tools your
catch
such as de-hookers can make unhooking
the fish safer and easier.

RESPONSIBLE NETTING PRACTICES
If you use a gillnet, be responsible for Avoid Wildlife When

your actions. Know and follow Netting
the netting rules-see page 29 and 59.
• Avoid setting nets near seabird
Netting Preparation rookeries or where mammals are
• Check the length of the buoy lines. Too active.
much line is a hazard to wildlife and • Whale and dolphin viewing guidelines are
other boats. available from www.parks.tas.gov.au.
• The weight bridle should be the • Visible panels on nets are seen by
weakest line in the net, so if it becomes seabirds so mark your net in as many
snagged, the net can still be recovered. places as practical.
• Don’t set your net near fast flowing • Don’t set your net in rough weather
waters, divers or across boating conditions. Lost gillnets can continue
channels. to “ghost net” in the marine 33
• Be aware of other net users and leave environment.
at least 50 metres between nets.
• Identify a landmark or use a GPS when Reducing Seal Interactions
setting your net so you don’t forget
where it is.
• NEVER FEED SEALS! Never use fish

Setting and Pulling the for a decoy or throw fish waste to
seals. This is training them to associate
Net
boats with an easy feed.
• Check the weather and tides so you
• Try to avoid areas where seals are
can safely retrieve the net.
known to interact with fishers and if a
• Check your net regularly to increase seal takes your fish move away.
the survival of unwanted bycatch.
• Keep noise to a minimum because seals
• Ensure the propeller is clear of any have good hearing eg. use matting on
slack net or ropes. your boat and set gear quietly.
• Seals are curious and may approach and
potentially swamp vessels, so be alert
and observe marine safety rules.

ABALONE
Licence: abalone licence required Size Limits

Size limit: varies by species and location The minimum size for abalone varies
Daily bag limit: 10 abalone around Tasmania for both blacklip and
Possession limit: 20 abalone greenlip. The maps show the areas
Non-licensed possession limit: 0 corresponding to the different size
abalone on state waters; 5 abalone on land limits. Please note that recreational and
Season: open all year commercial size limits may not be the same.
Get a free abalone multi-gauge from Service
Licence Tasmania outlets.
A recreational abalone licence is required
to fish for abalone.You cannot take abalone
on behalf of another licence holder.
Blacklip size limits
34
Greenlip size limits

Measuring Abalone Area Restrictions
Abalone are measured across the widest Closed areas and no possession zones
part of the shell. You must carry a apply in northern Bass Strait to lower the
measuring device while taking risk of AVG entering from Victorian waters
abalone. Measure the abalone before (see page 36). See page 50 for a full list of
detaching it where possible as abalone area restrictions including the Bay of Fires.
that have been cut will bleed.
Public Health Restrictions

Check for any current public health alerts
relating to eating wild shellfish at
www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au.
widest point
Before you shuck or shell abalone, they 35

must be brought ashore above the high
water mark. Greenlip abalone
Bag and Possession Limits
Fishers with a recreational abalone fishing
licence have:
• A daily bag limit of 10 abalone.
• A possession limit of 20 abalone. This
possession limit applies everywhere
including the home.
If you do not have a licence you can not Blacklip abalone
take abalone, however, you can possess 5
abalone without a receipt while on land.
If you possess more than this number
keep your receipts for purchases. If you
don’t have an abalone licence you cannot
possess abalone while on State waters.

ABALONE
Abalone Viral Recreationally caught abalone cannot

Ganglioneuritis be on board any vessels, other than
commercial trading vessels, in the
Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) is a Biosecurity Area unless within 50 metres
viral disease affecting the nervous system of the shore of any island.
of abalone resulting in weakness and
death. AVG only affects abalone and there Help prevent the spread of AVG
are no human health implications from The virus only survives a short time in
handling or eating infected abalone. the water so the most likely method of
Signs of AVG disease spread is through contact between
infected abalone and healthy abalone
• Patches of weak or dead abalone; (including offal, mucus, shells, contaminated
• Abalone with protruding mouth parts; fishing equipment or people).
and / or
• Abalone with the edges of the foot • No abalone or abalone products can be
curling inwards, exposing clean shiny brought into Tasmania from interstate.
shells.
• RETAIN all abalone waste, including
shells and offal and dispose of it in land-
36 Greenlip abalone based facilities or with your household
showing the rubbish. It is illegal to shuck abalone
symptoms of AVG at sea or use abalone viscera as fishing
bait.
• CLEAN and DRY all boats, fishing
Abalone Biosecurity Area and diving equipment between fishing
To lower the risk of AVG entering from trips. This includes catch bags, gloves,
Victorian waters, an abalone biosecurity knives, measuring devices, wetsuits,
area has been declared north of Flinders buoyancy vests, masks, regulators, tanks,
and King Islands. boats and people who have come into
contact with abalone. Allow equipment
to dry in the sun.
• REPORT any suspected signs of AVG
to the Disease Watch Hotline
1800 675 888 (24-hours).
You are allowed to take abalone within 50

metres of the shore of any island in the
Biosecurity Area, but the abalone cannot be
taken or possessed elsewhere in the area.

ROCK LOBSTER
Licence: rock lobster licence required

Size limit: males 110mm, females 105mm
Daily bag limit: Eastern Region - 2 rock
lobster; Western Region - 5 rock lobster;
northern Bass Strait - 2 rock lobster
Possession limit: Eastern Region - 4 Southern rock lobster Eastern rock lobster
rock lobster; Western Region, mainland
Tasmania, Flinders, Cape Barren and Bruny Special Rock Lobster Licence
Islands -10; northern Bass Strait - 4 rock
The holder of a recreational rock lobster
lobster
licence can buy a special rock lobster
Non-licensed possession limit: 0 rock licence which allows you to possess 15
lobster on state waters; 2 rock lobster on rock lobster in the Western Region and
land on mainland Tasmania for a 14 day period
Boat Limit: Eastern Region - 10 rock nominated by the fisher. During this 14 day
lobster; Western Region - 25 rock lobster period, you are not allowed to fish for
Boat Gear Limit: 5 rock lobster pots rock lobster in the Eastern Region.
and 20 rock lobster rings Daily bag and boat limits still apply.
Season: Setting gear at season
Western Region
Females- open from 4 November 2017 to
opening
30 April 2018. You can only possess a rock lobster pot
Males – open from 4 November 2017 to on state waters from 6am the day
before the season opens and only set a 37
31 August 2018.
Eastern Region pot after 1pm on the same day. Pots
Open from 18 November 2017 to 30 can then be pulled after midnight.
April 2018.
Size Limits
Biotoxin Status:
There are different minimum size limits
To check closures, see page 7.
for female and male rock lobster:
• Female rock lobster – 105mm.
Licences • Male rock lobster – 110mm.
A rock lobster dive licence allows you to Get your free rock lobster measuring
take rock lobster by hand, a rock lobster gauge at any Service Tasmania outlet.
pot licence to use one pot and a rock
lobster ring licence to use up to four rings.
Aboriginal fishers should use a unique
You must be 10 years old or older to hold
identifying code to mark their gear as
a rock lobster licence. The licence holder
specified on page 15.
must personally set and retrieve any rock
lobster fishing gear and another person
may assist them if needed eg. to lift the
pot. The rules apply to both southern and
eastern (green) rock lobster.

ROCK LOBSTER
Rock Lobster Regions Point Sorell and Whale Head.

Eastern Region: includes all State Northern Bass Strait: Includes all
fishing waters and islands eastward of waters north of a line of latitude 39°33’.
Point Sorell and Whale Head (southern Note: The line separating the Regions
most point). applies to State waters. It does not extend
Western Region: includes all State through mainland Tasmania.
fishing waters and islands westward of
38

Possession Limits must return it to the water as soon as
• A possession limit of 10 applies on possible.
mainland Tasmania, islands in the Male rock lobster:
Western Region and on Flinders, Cape • Have small pleopods
Barren and Bruny Islands including (swimmerets/flaps)
homes, shacks and vehicles. A lower under the tail.
possession limit of 4 applies in the
Eastern Region. • Have no nipper
claws on the rear
• Eastern Region possession limits apply legs.
within 100 metres of unloading any
rock lobster, except where the fisher’s Measuring
shack or home is within the 100 Rock Lobster
metres.
• If you are on State waters with more
than the daily bag limit you must prove
you have fished for more than one day
eg. an extended or overnight trip.
• If you do not have a licence, you cannot
possess more than two rock lobster,
unless you have a receipt or the lobster 1. Spread the antennal horns.
has a commercial tag. 2. Place the gauge tip hard into the middle
• A child under 10 cannot possess notch. 39
rock lobster. Any rock lobster held 3. Measure from the notch to the end of
by that child are deemed to be in the the carapace.
possession of the supervising adult.
Sexing Rock Lobster

Female rock
lobster:
• Have large,
overlapping
pleopods
(swimmerets/flaps)
under the tail.
• Have a small nipper
claw on the end of
each rear leg.
• You cannot take rock
lobster in berry (with
eggs) or strip the
eggs. If you catch a
lobster in berry, you

ROCK LOBSTER
Handling Rock Lobster • You can keep

• Measure your catch as soon as possible. other tagged
lobster. See
• Gently release undersized rock lobster page 12 on
on the reef where they were taken. reporting of
• If you are diving, size up the rock tagged fish.
lobster before taking it.
• Handle lobster carefully particularly if Rock
they are soft-shelled or in berry. Lobster
Fishing Gear
Tail-clipping Rock Lobster
Rock lobster that you keep must be
Pot: You can only
possess and use
marked as ‘recreationally-caught’ fish as
one rock lobster
follows:
pot on State
• Cut off waters. A person
at least a in charge of a boat
quarter of the must not allow
central tail more than 5 rock lobster pots to be on,
flap OR punch or used from their boat and all licensees
a 10mm hole in it. must be present. A rock lobster pot must:
• If fishing from a boat, mark the tail fan • be no larger than 1250mm x 1250mm
within five minutes of the lobster being at base and 750mm high;
brought to the boat and before landing;
40 • have only one neck or entrance at least
or
200mm in diameter;
• If fishing from the shore, mark the tail
• have escape gaps at least 57mm high
fan within five minutes of landing and
and the lower inside edge no more
within 50 metres of where you are
than 150mm up from the floor of the
fishing.
pot. If there is only one escape gap,
Eating Rock Lobster at Sea it must be at least 400mm wide and
if there are two, they must each be
• You can cut up and eat one lobster per
at least 200mm wide. There must be
licence holder. This lobster is included
nothing obstructing the escape gap;
in your daily bag limit.
• not contain anything likely to entangle
Tagged and Specially the rock lobster in the pot; and
Marked Rock Lobster • be marked with a buoy with the licence
• You cannot possess specially-marked number and the letter ‘P’ for pot.
research rock lobsters, which have • you cannot leave your pot in the water
either two separate holes of at least for longer than 48 hours.
5 mm in diameter in the tail fan, two You cannot recreationally fish for rock
coloured lines on the underside of the lobster or have a recreational pot or ring
tail or a blue T-bar tag with the words on a commercial fishing trip. You cannot
TAFI Research Illegal To Take (see photos). use rock lobster for bait.

Ring or Hoop Net: crook or noose while diving, or to possess
• You may only possess and use up to a noose on a boat unless it is being used
four ring nets on State waters. for game fishing. Rings and pots can be
used from a boat that is being used by
• A person in charge of a boat must not divers.
allow more than 20 rock lobster rings
to be on, or used from their boat and Lines / Nets: It is illegal to take rock
all licensees must be present. lobster by a hook and line or a net.
• A rock lobster ring is a single ring or Rock Lobster Cauf:
hoop of no more than one metre in • A rock lobster cauf is a device for
diameter, covered with mesh. holding rock
• If you are lobster in the
more than water.
100m from • A person can
a ring, a only use one
marker cauf at a time.
buoy with It must have
the licence a yellow buoy
number and marked with the licence number
the letter ‘R’ attached.
for ring must
• A cauf can be used by more than one
be attached.
fisher, but lobsters in a shared cauf
Rock Lobster Buoys: Rock lobster must be separated from other fishers’
pots, caufs and unattended rings must be 41
lobster into their own compartments.
marked with a buoy: Each fisher must have their own yellow
• that has only the licence number and buoy marked with their licence number
‘P’ if it is a pot or ‘R’ if it is a ring clearly attached to their compartment of the
marked in figures at least 70mm high cauf.
and 12 mm wide. • All rock lobster in the cauf must be
• that is specifically designed as a buoy tail-clipped and count toward your
and floats on the surface of the water; possession limits.
and
• is at least 195 mm in diameter at the
widest point. Lost, Stolen and
Additional buoys may be attached to Irretrievable Gear
improve visibility. If you leave your pot in the water for
longer than allowed due to bad weather,
Diving: You can take rock lobster by illness or theft, contact the Marine Police
SCUBA, surface air and snorkelling. The
Fishwatch line on 0427 655 557 and
only aid that can be used to take rock
provide them with your licence number.
lobster is a gloved hand. Nooses, gaffs,
nets and spears can not be used for rock
lobster fishing. It is illegal to possess a

ROCK LOBSTER
Public Health Restrictions Derwent River – upstream from a line

Check for any current public health alerts from Dennes Point to Cape Direction.
relating to eating wild shellfish at Georges Bay – west of the line of
www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au longitude of the end of the training wall
situated at the entrance to Georges Bay.
Area Restrictions
See page 50 for a full list of restrictions.
Specific No Rock Lobster Pot areas are
listed below. Rock lobster rings can be
used in these areas.
D’Entrecasteaux Channel – with a
southern boundary being a line from Scott
Point to the northern tip of Partridge
Island and then from the southern tip of
Partridge Island south to Labillardiere
Peninsula on Bruny Island and a northern
boundary being a line from Dennes Point
to Piersons Point. See map on page 69.
King Island – within 300 metres of the
Blowhole on the Eastern side of King
Island.
42

SCALLOPS
Licence: scallop licence required Measuring and Handling

Size limit: commercial and queen Scallops
scallops 100mm, doughboy scallops 80mm • Scallops are measured across the
Daily bag limit: 50 scallops widest part of the shell (usually
Possession limit: 100 scallops (on land parallel to the hinge). Scallops must be
only), 50 scallops (on water) measured before they are taken.
Season: The scallop season is open from • Scallops can be shucked for immediate
the Saturday before Easter to the end of July. consumption at sea as long as the shells
D’Entrecasteaux Channel: Closed for 2018 are retained and brought ashore. Any
season scallops consumed count towards the
daily bag limit.Landing of shucked meats
All other State waters: 24 March - 31 July is prohibited.
2018
• Take your catch home and dispose of
waste with your household rubbish.
Licence Throwing waste and shells back in the
water can spread fish diseases and
You need a recreational scallop licence to pests.
take scallops. Scallops can only be taken
by hand and only the licence holder can
dive for scallops. You cannot take
scallops on behalf of another
scallop licence holder.
Size Limits widest point

The minimum legal size limits are: Bag and Possession Limits
• Commercial and Queen scallops Fishers with a recreational scallop licence have:
- 100 mm
• A personal daily bag limit of 50 scallops
• Doughboy scallops - 80 mm (all species combined). This is your total
Get your scallop measuring gauge at any catch for the day regardless of how 43
Service Tasmania outlet. many trips you make.
• This is also your possession limit while
out on the water and only licensed
fishers can possess scallops on the water.
• A possession limit of 100 scallops (all
species combined) or 3kgs of scallop
meat. This possession limit applies
Commercial Queen Doughboy
everywhere on land. This limit also applies
to persons who do not have a licence
unless they have receipts for purchases.

SCALLOPS
Measure and count your Marine Safety

scallops as you dive to keep
within the limits.
Area Restrictions
The D’Entrecasteaux Channel (see map
on page 69) is closed to recreational
scallop fishing, including possession of
scallops while swimming.
See page 50 for a full list of area Many marine incidents that are reported
restrictions. to Marine and Safety Tasmania involve
recreational boats. Boat capsizes occur
Public Health Alerts because boaters can get into trouble when
Check for any current public health alerts setting or retrieving their fishing gear.
relating to eating wild shellfish at Some general boating safety tips are:
www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au
• Obtain the latest long-range weather
forecast before heading out;
• Don’t overload the boat with gear and
people;
• Don’t reverse quickly after setting or
retrieving the gear;
• If gear is snagged, don’t tie the buoy
line to your boat to tow it out;
• Make sure the buoy line is the right
length prior to setting the gear;
Scallop gauges are available at Service • If you have VHF leave it on channel 16;
44 Tasmania shops • Use a long boat hook to avoid leaning
too far over the side; and
• Make sure your boat has sufficient
buoyancy.
Weather contact numbers:
South: 6233 9955, North: 6323 2555,
North-West: 6498 7755 and
East: 6376 0555.
www.mast.tas.gov.au

SQUID, CALAMARI AND OCTOPUS
SQUID AND CALAMARI the northern end of Marion Beach (south

There is no minimum size for squid or of Maria Island) including Coles Bay, Great
calamari. Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage.
North Coast
Goulds squid See page 16 for 2017 closure dates for
two north coast areas and page 5 for
more information about 2018.
15 30 OCTOPUS
• There is no minimum size for octopus.
• Octopus are usually taken by hand, gaff,
Southern calamari line, net, bait trap or in rock lobster
pots and rings, but cannot be taken by a
specialised octopus pot or trap
Octopus
10 20
Closed Areas
The areas below are closed to the
taking and possession of calamari and
squid during the dates listed to protect
spawning calamari. 5 10 15
East Coast SEA URCHINS
From 15 October to 14 November There is no recreational size or catch limit
inclusive each year - all waters south from for sea urchins.
Lemon Rock (south of Wineglass Bay) to
45
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS

CRABS, PRAWNS AND SEAWEED
CRABS • one bait trap can be used but it must

meet specified dimensions (see page 29).
Giant Crabs
You need a recreational rock lobster pot If using soldier crabs as bait, see page 24.
licence to fish for giant crabs. They are a PRAWNS
deep water species occasionally caught by
recreational fishers. The following rules Prawns are mainly caught using a dip net
apply: or landing net. Gear and area restrictions
apply - see page 29.
• Seasons: as for rock lobster – see page
16. 50 100
• Only crabs with a carapace length King prawn
(from the front of the carapace to the
back) between 150 mm and 215 mm
can be kept.
• Female giant crabs in berry (with eggs)
cannot be kept.
• There is a possession limit of 1 giant SEAWEED COLLECTION
crab. No licence is required when seaweed
is collected for private use. There is a
daily limit of 100 kg per person for cast
seaweed and collection is only from
beaches with public access. Seaweed
attached to the sea floor must not be
Giant crab harvested. Seaweed cannot be taken in
Marine Nature Reserves. See page 50.
Inshore Crabs
• Inshore crabs includes all crabs other
than giant crabs and soldier crabs. No
46 minimum size.
15 30
Red velvet crab Red bait crab
• female crabs in berry (with eggs)

cannot be kept;
• specialised crab traps cannot be used;
and

SHELLFISH AND SHELL COLLECTION
The taking of limpets and elephant snails is Shellfish Quality

prohibited. There is no limit on collecting Eating bivalve shellfish from the wild may
shells from beaches provided that the be a high risk activity. Consider the water
shell does not contain a living organism. quality of the area before taking and
Shells cannot be collected from reserved consuming shellfish. Do not take shellfish
land – contact Parks and Wildlife for more from areas near stormwater drains, marinas,
information. slipways or wastewater outfalls or after
The following species have no seasons, heavy rainfall. Do not consume shellfish
size or possession limits and a licence from the Tamar or Derwent Estuaries
is not required but bag limits and area including Ralphs Bay as they contain high
restrictions apply. levels of heavy metals – see
www.derwentestuary.org.au/
seafood-safety.
Species Daily bag limit Tasmania is periodically affected by toxic
Clams, cockles algal blooms - follow any Public Health
and pipis (species 100 warnings. If in doubt phone the Department
combined) of Health and Human Services hotline
on 1800 671 738. More information on
Wedge shells 200
shellfish quality is available at
Mussels 100 www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au
Periwinkles 100
Pacific oysters unlimited
Clam
Native oysters 50
20 (other shellfish
Other shellfish
species combined)
Cockle
Native 47
oyster Mussel
Periwinkle
Pacific
oyster

MARINE PESTS AND DISEASES
Introduced species and marine diseases have the capacity to

(1)
cause significant damage to Tasmania’s fisheries and marine
environment.
There are several recognised marine pests in Tasmania
including the Northern Pacific Seastar (1), European Clam (2),
Asian Bag Mussel (3), European Fan Worm (4), European Green
Crab (5), Japanese Kelp (6) and New Zealand Screwshell (7). (2)
In addition to these existing pests there are a number of
recognised marine pests found in Australian and overseas
waters which, if introduced here, would have the potential to
cause significant damage.
(3)
Help Stop the Spread of Marine Pests
and Diseases
Marine pests and diseases can be spread by boat owners,
fishers, marine farmers, and divers. Some pests and diseases
can live for days in bilge water, fishing gear, diving gear, ropes,
(4)
boat hulls and even in bait. Help prevent the spread of pests
and diseases:
• Do not move water, fish or fish products between locations
including bait, shells and offal.
• Keep your fishing gear, dive gear and boat clean and
disinfected between trips. Thoroughly clean surfaces and (5)
remove organic matter that may harbour pests and diseases
and dispose of waste in land based facilities;
• Wash all gear, the boat and trailer with fresh water and
detergent, away from the coast and any drains, and let it dry;
• Regularly clean and check seawater systems on your boat; (6)
48 and
• Do not release aquarium fish, pond fish, or plants into our
waterways. This will help prevent the introduction of new
pests and diseases.
• For more information about Biosecurity and Marine Pests (7)
call 1300 368 550.
Report Suspected Diseases

Early detection is essential to controlling marine diseases. If
you see the effects of suspected marine diseases contact the
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment disease watch hotline
1800 675 888 (24-hours freecall). For information on AVG see page 36.

PROTECTED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Protected Species Threatened Species

The following species are protected and There are a number of marine species
must not be taken for any reason: that are also threatened species and are
• Elephant snail, limpet, handfish, threefin protected under the Threatened Species
blenny, pipehorse, pipefish, seahorse, Protection Act 1995. Many of these are also
seadragon, Maugean skate and the great protected nationally under the Environment
white, basking, grey nurse, megamouth Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
and whale shark. 2000. A full list can be found at
www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/
If you encounter, or even accidentally
conservation/threatened-species.
catch, a protected species you must
return the animal to where you found it Threatened species cannot be taken
regardless of whether it is alive or dead. without a permit for any reason, however,
Aborigines engaged in Aboriginal fishing you may encounter, or accidentally catch,
may take and possess limpets. some of these species whilst fishing. If
you think that you may have caught a
Elephant snail Limpet threatened species, please return it to the
water with as little damage as possible.
If it is injured or entangled in fishing gear
please contact the DPIPWE Threatened
Species Section and they will advise you
Handfish what to do. Also contact them to report
Threefin blenny dead threatened species. Where seals,
birds, whales or dolphins are involved,
contact the Marine Conservation Program
on 0427 942 537.
Seadragon
Pipehorse Maugean Skate Alert
The Maugean skate is only found in
49
Macquarie and Bathurst Harbours and its
numbers are relatively low. This species
Pipefish
Seahorse is vulnerable to capture in gillnets and
must be returned to the water as soon
Maugean as possible without harm. It is clearly
skate identifiable by the elongated shape of the
snout.
DPIPWE Threatened Species Section

Great white Phone: (03) 6165 4340
Email: threatened.species.unit
@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

AREA RESTRICTIONS
INDEX of fishing restriction maps

1) Marine Nature Reserves
Generally no fishing of any type for any species. Two reserves allowed restricted
recreational fishing in some areas.
Index map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Individual area maps and fishing restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-56
2) Fishery Research Areas
Restrictions on anchoring, dive fishing and some other types of fishing apply.
Index map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Individual area maps and fishing restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-56
3) Shark Refuge Areas
No take of shark (except elephantfish), skates or rays and no set lines.
Index map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Individual area maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4) Net and Set Line Restrictions
Restrictions on using nets and set lines apply to many rivers and sheltered waters.
Index map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Individual area maps and restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60-71
5) Estuaries, Rivers and Lagoons
Special rules for taking marine species in these waters may apply.
Individual area maps and restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-74
6) Marine Farming Lease Areas
No fishing unless you have the prior permission of the leaseholder.
More details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Interactive maps can be found on the Tas Fish Guide app or on the web at
www.fishing.tas.gov.au
50

Reserves, Research Areas and Shark Refuges
51

MARINE NATURE RESERVES AND RESEARCH AREAS
More detailed maps of marine reserves

are available at www.parks.tas.gov.au
under ‘Marine Reserves’.
In some reserves, white marker poles may
indicate boundaries.
1. Waterwitch Reef Abalone

Research Area (West of King Island)
No taking of any fish by diving.
2. Kent Group Marine Nature

Reserve
No fishing or setting of fishing gear in the
no fishing zone. In the restricted zone, the
only fishing allowed is line fishing with up
to 5 hooks, taking rock lobster using pots,
rings and by diving, and taking abalone
subject to biosecurity area restrictions.
3. Inner Sister Island Abalone

Research Area (North of Flinders
Island)
No taking of any fish by diving within 500
metres of the high water mark in the area
shown.
Commonwealth Marine Reserves

Flinders, Freycinet and Tasman Fracture are Marine
Reserves off Tasmania managed by the Commonwealth
52 Department of the Environment. No fishing or setting
of gear allowed. More information at
www.environment.gov.au

4. Swan Island Abalone Research
Area
5. Bay of Fires Abalone Research

Area
No taking of abalone.
6. Elephant Rock Rock Lobster

Research Area
The research area is off Grants Point,
including Elephant Rock, near St Helens.
No fishing by diving or use of rock lobster
pots or rings. No possession of specially-
marked research rock lobster, see page 40.
53

7. Governor Island
Marine Nature Reserve
No fishing or setting of fishing
gear is allowed. There are
white paired poles marking
the western boundary.
8. Maria Island Marine

Nature Reserve
gear is allowed in the reserve
between Cape Boullanger in
the north and Return Point in
the south. Recreational fishing
of all types is permitted east
of Cape Boullanger.
9. North Bay Rock

Lobster Research Area
The research area is south of
North Bay, on Cape Frederick
54 Hendrick, east of Dunalley.
No fishing by diving or use
of rock lobster pots or rings.
No possession of specially-
marked research rock lobster,
see page 40.

10. Taroona Waters Reserve
and Research Area
No abalone or rock lobster fishing
or gillnetting. Taroona Waters
extends from a south-easterly
arc 800 metres from the shore
at the end of Nubeena Crescent
continuing 800 metres offshore
to the boat ramp on Taroona
Beach. A 200 metre buffer zone
surrounds the reserve starting
from the shore of the Seaview Ave
walking track and 200 metres west
of the boat ramp at Taroona Beach.
You may possess rock lobster
or abalone taken outside the
reserve on a boat that is transiting
the buffer zone to or from the
Taroona Beach boat ramp.You
may fish with a rod and line in this
Research Area.
11. Tinderbox Marine Nature

Reserve
gear allowed. Fish caught outside
the reserve can be landed at the
boat ramp. The northern boundary
is approximately 800 metres south
of Fossil Cove. The northern and
western boundaries are marked by
white paired poles.
12. Ninepin Point Marine

Nature Reserve
55
gear allowed. The eastern and
western boundaries are marked by
white paired poles.

13. George III Rock

Abalone Research Area
No anchoring, swimming or
taking of any fish by diving is
allowed within 500 metres of
the rock.
14. Port Davey/Bathurst

Harbour Marine Nature
Reserve
gear is allowed in the no fishing
zone. The only fishing allowed
in the restricted take zone is
diving for abalone and rock
lobster, using a rock lobster pot
or ring and line fishing with up
to 5 hooks.
15. Doughboys Abalone

Research Area
56

SHARK REFUGE AREAS
These areas are important habitat for the • Using set lines (longlines and droplines)
breeding of school and gummy sharks, is prohibited in Shark Refuge Areas.
skates and rays. • Using mullet nets is prohibited in
• No shark, skate or ray of any kind Shark Refuge Areas and other netting
(except elephantfish) can be taken in restrictions may apply. See page 50.
Shark Refuge Areas. • Where permitted, gillnets may only be
• Do not target sharks at all in Shark set for up to 2 hours.
Refuge Areas to ensure the least • You can carry sharks, skates or rays
disturbance to shark species. Return through a Shark Refuge Area if they
accidentally caught shark to the water were taken outside that area.
as soon as possible.
57

SHARK REFUGE AREAS
Maps of Shark Refuge Areas
Blackman Bay: near Dunalley.

Derwent River: upstream of a line from
Dennes Point to Cape Direction.
Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk
Bay (includes Pittwater): all the
waters of those bays north of a line from
Cape Contrariety to Northwest Head.
East Coast Waters: those waters within

three nautical miles of any part of the
coast between Seaford Point and Cape
Bougainville.
Mercury Passage: bounded in the
north by a line from Cape Bougainville to
Cape Boullanger and in the south by a line
from Cape Peron to Cape Bernier.
Georges Bay and Burns Bay: west of a
line from Grants Point to St Helens Point.
D’Entrecasteaux Channel (includes
North West Bay River and Huon
River): between a line from Scott Point
to Partridge Island and to Labillardiere
Peninsula in the south and a line from
Dennes Point to Piersons Point in the north.
Port Sorell: south of a line through

Griffiths Point in the east to Taroona Point
in the west at the southern extremity of
Hawley Beach.
58
Great Oyster Bay: north of a line from

Weatherhead Point on the southern end Tamar River: those waters south of a
of Freycinet Peninsula to Seaford Point. line from Low Head and West Head.

NET AND LINE AREA RESTRICTIONS
The map below shows where net and line More detailed maps and a description of
restrictions apply to protect vulnerable the restrictions are on the following pages.
species or sensitive habitat.
MAPS: No nets No mullet nets No gill nets (mullet & graball) 59

Set lines prohibited
includes longlines & droplines G Graball nets prohibited Bait traps prohibited
M Mullet nets prohibited Other nets prohibited

includes beach seine nets,
Spears prohibited
cast nets & bait nets
Interactive maps can be found on the Tas Fish Guide app or on the web at
www.fishing.tas.gov.au.

1 Currie Harbour
M G
The harbour side of a line from the tip
of the most westerly breakwater at the
south-west end of the harbour to the
north-western extremity of the harbour,
known as Devils Gap.
2 Sea Elephant River
M G
Upstream of the mouth.
3 The Blowhole 7 Duck Bay
M G
M G
Within 300m of The Blowhole. The bay with seaward boundaries defined
4 Grassy Harbour by a line from Kingston Pt to Eagle Point,
M G and at the northern end of channel known
as The Jam.
In the harbour with a boundary formed
by a line from the end of the jetty at Jetty
Point to Sandblow Point.
5 Mosquito Inlet
M G
South of a line from the northern tip of
Back Banks to Egging Point and west to
the shore of Robbins Island.
6 Robbins Passage
M G
The area bounded in the west by a line 8 East and West Inlet
from Woolnorth Point to the northern tip M G
of Kangaroo Island and then to Bird Point South of a line from the north extremity
on Robbins Island, and bounded in the east of Black River Beach to the east extremity
by a line from Cape Elie on Robbins Island of Anthony Beach.
to Shipwreck Point on Perkins Island.
Beach seine nets are not allowed. Bait
60
nets and cast nets are allowed (map at top
of next column).
MAPS: No nets No mullet nets No gill nets (mullet & graball)

Spears prohibited

9 Black River downstream side of the bridge carrying
M G the A2 road.
Upstream of the mouth and including 15 Parsonage Point, Burnie
those waters within 100m to seaward of M G
the mouth to the bridge carrying the A2
Waters bounded by a line commencing at
road across the river.
the intersection of the high water mark
10 Sawyer Bay and the line of longitude 145.9041 E to
M G the point 41.0419 S / 145.9041 E to the
point 41.0419 S / 145.8915 E then due
West of a line from the northern tip of
south to high water mark.
Black River Beach to a point 500m off
the shore and due south of the western
wave wall of Fishermans Dock and within
500m of the shore around The Nut to the
southern end of Godfreys Beach.
11 Godfreys Beach, Stanley
M G
Waters within an imaginary straight line
extending from the existing no netting
boundary to the easternmost point of the
first small headland north of Godfreys Beach.
12 Detention River
M G 16 Emu River
Upstream of the mouth between Hellyer M G
Beach and Forwards Beach and including
The river and its tributaries, upstream of
those waters within 100m to seaward of
the mouth including those waters within
the mouth to the downstream side of the
200m to seaward to the downstream side
bridge carrying the A2 road across that river.
of the bridge carrying the A2 road.
13 Inglis River
17 Blythe River
M G
M G
Upstream of a line between the seaward
Upstream of the mouth including those
ends of the breakwaters on each side of
waters within 100m of the seaward end
the mouth and within 100m seaward of
of the rocks on the eastern shore at the
that line to the downstream side of the
mouth to the downstream side of the 61
bridge carrying the C234 road. Spearing of
bridge carrying the A2 road.
flounder is allowed.
18 Sulphur Creek
14 Cam River
M G M G
Upstream of the mouth to the railway
Upstream of the mouth including those
bridge.
waters within 300m to seaward to the

19 Leven River from the seaward end of the breakwater

M G on the western shore to the first beacon
on the eastern side of the river mouth
Upstream of a line between the seaward
including waters within 100m to seaward
ends of the breakwaters on each side of
of that line to a line running north-east
the mouth including waters within 100m
across that river from the junction of
seaward of that line to the downstream
the B19 road and Tarleton Road on the
side of the bridge carrying the A1 road.
western shore to the boat ramp on the
Spearing of flounder is allowed.
eastern shore. Spearing of flounder is
20 Forth River allowed.
M G 24 Port Sorell
Upstream of a line across the river that Is a Shark Refuge Area(see page 57).
follows the direction of The Esplanade and
200m to seaward of that line.
21 Lillico Beach
M G
Waters enclosed within a 1 km radius of
the Lillico Beach penguin viewing platform.
22 Don River
M G
Upstream of a line between Don Heads
and the gun club building and 100m to
seaward of that line to the downstream 24a Port Sorell (North of the
side of the bridge carrying the railway Tongue)
across that river. M G
23 Mersey River North of a line of latitude through the
M G
northern end of Dells Point, known as The
62 Tongue to a line from Taroona Point to
The river and its tributaries (including Griffiths Point.
Horsehead Creek), upstream of a line

Spears prohibited

24b Port Sorell (South of the 28 Low Head
Tongue) M G
M G Waters 500 metres west of the
South of a line of latitude through the intersection of latitude 41° 03’ 45 S and
northern end of Dells Point to the bridges the high water mark and then generally in
carrying the Frankford Road. a northerly direction to 500 metres north
of Low Head. Set lines can be used north
25, 26, 27 Tamar River
of a line from West Head to Low Head.
Is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57 ).
29 Pipers River
M G
Upstream from the mouth to a line
between two white posts on opposite
shores at the upstream limits of the estuary.
30 Anderson Bay - Brid River
M G
South of a line from the eastern end of
Barnbougle Beach to the boat ramp at the
southern end of Old Pier Beach and the
old wharf piles to the downstream side
25 Tamar River Entrance of the Brid River bridge carrying the B84
road, including Trent Waters.
M
Those waters south of a line from Low
Head and West Head to a line from the
northern end of Garden Island to the
Georgetown Monument.
26 Tamar River Middle
M G
Upstream of a line from the northern
end of Garden Island to the Georgetown
Monument to a line from Point Rapid
(near Rowella) to Sheeptail Point (near 31 North East River and Arthurs
Hillwood). Bait traps may be used in this Creek
area. M G
Upstream of a line from the eastern tip 63
27 Tamar River Upstream
of Holloway Point south to the northern
M G
tip of Foochow Beach (map at top of next
Upstream of a line from Point Rapid to column).
Sheeptail Point to the parallel of latitude
of Haystack Point (near Riverside).

36 Musselroe Bay - West

M G
Upstream of a line from a point on Ryans
Arm at longitude 148.1541 E to the
opposite shore.
32 Cameron Inlet
M G
Upstream of a line from the north-west 37 Musselroe Bay - East
tip of Planters Beach and west to the
M G
opposite shore.
Waters upstream of a line from the red
33 Tomahawk River navigation mark at 40.8284 S / 148.1738 E
M G to the point 40.8301 S / 148.1748 E to a
Upstream of a line from the eastern tip line from the point known as Ryans Arm
of the northern arm of the river entrance at longitude 148.1541 E due north to the
south to Tomahawk Beach to one opposite shore.
kilometre below the bridge on the West 38 Ansons Bay
Tomahawk Road. M G
34 Boobyalla Inlet All waters of Ansons Bay to the mouth of
M G Ansons River.
Upstream of a line from Campbells Point 39 Georges Bay and Burns Bay
east to the opposite shore to a point at M G
grid reference 574658/5474108.
West of a line between Grants Point and
35 Little Musselroe River St Helens Point is a Shark Refuge Area
M G (see page 57) (map at top of next page).
Upstream from the mouth.
64


Spears prohibited

40 Scamander River
M G
Upstream from and within 200m of the 45 Moulting Lagoon
mouth to the downstream side of the A3 M G
road bridge.
Upstream from the mouth, including the
41 Four Mile Creek waters of King Bay and Pelican Bay to
M G where the Swan River enters King Bay.
Upstream from the mouth to the Four Note: bait nets are allowed.
Mile Creek road bridge. 46 Freshwater Lagoon
42 Saltwater Inlet M G
M G Upstream from the mouth.
The inlet at Wardlaws Creek. 47 Saltwater Lagoon
43 Douglas River M G
M G Upstream from the mouth.
Upstream from the mouth to the A3 road bridge. 48, 49 Great Oyster Bay
44 Waubs Bay Is a Shark Refuge Area(see page 57)
M G (map at top of next page).
Waters enclosed to the north of
an imaginary straight line from the
southernmost point of Governor Island
west to the Tasmanian mainland, to the
west of a second imaginary straight line 65
from the northernmost point of Governor
Island to the southernmost point of
Diamond Island, and to the south of a
third imaginary straight line from the
westernmost point of Diamond Island to
the northern end of Redbill Beach.

51 Bryans Lagoon
M G
52 Lisdillion River
M G
Upstream of a line from the southern
tip of Lisdillon Beach and west to the
opposite shore.
53 Mayfield River
M G
54 Troyheleener Lagoon
M G
Upstream of the Tasman Highway (A3)
road bridge.
48 Great Oyster Bay - Northern end 55 Buxton River

M G
M G
North of a line from Waterloo Point at Upstream of a line from the south-eastern
Swansea to The Fisheries at Coles Bay. tip of Horrels Point to Penquite Point to
Beach seine nets are not allowed in Coles the posts marking the tidal limit.
Bay from Hepburn Point to The Fisheries. 56 Little Swanport Estuary and
49 Great Oyster Bay - Southern end Little Swanport River
M G
M
North of a line from Seaford Point Upstream of a northerly line from
to Weatherhead Point to a line from Limekiln Point to the opposite shore
Waterloo Point at Swansea to The to the downstream side of the Tasman
Fisheries at Coles Bay. Beach seine nets Highway bridge. Bream fishing area to
are not allowed in Promise Bay. posts approximately 800 metres above
the downstream side of Tasman Highway
50 Meredith River bridge.
M G
Upstream from the mouth to the main
66 road bridge.


Spears prohibited

57 East Coast Waters 61 Mercury Passage – shoreline
M waters
Three nautical miles off the coast between M
Seaford Point south to Cape Bougainville Within 200m of the low water mark.
is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57).
62 Earlham Lagoon (south of
58 Okehampton Lagoon Rheban)
M G M G
Upstream from the mouth. Upstream of the mouth of the lagoon
to where the Sandspit River enters the
59 Prosser River
lagoon at grid reference 576279/5277769.
M G
63 Waterfall Bay and
Upstream from the mouth to the seaward limit
Patersons Arch
at the downstream side of the A3 road bridge.
M G
60, 61 Mercury Passage
Within 200m of the low water mark
Is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57). of the shore from the main waterfall in
Waterfall Bay east to the most southern
point of Waterfall Bluff and within 200m
of the lookout on the point west of
Patersons Arch.
64 Bream Creek
M G
Upstream from the mouth to a line
between 2 posts approximately 1.6 km
above the mouth.
60 Mercury Passage 65 Blackman Bay and Dunalley Canal 67
M G M G
The area bounded in the north by a East of the western entrance to Denison
line from Cape Bougainville to Cape Canal to the mouth between Long Spit
Boullanger and in the south by a line from and Little Chinaman Bay is a Shark Refuge
Cape Bernier to Cape Peron. Area (see page 57).

66- 71 Frederick Henry Bay and 69 Carlton River

Norfolk Bay (including Pitt Water M G
and Eaglehawk Bay)
The area of Carlton River upstream of a
Is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57). line from the western most part of Carlton
Bluff to the Carlton Beach Surf Lifesaving
Club building on the opposite shore.
70 Pipe Clay Lagoon
M G
The area of Pipe Clay Lagoon upstream
from the mouth.
71 Pitt Water and Coal River
M G
The areas of Pitt Water and Coal River
upstream of a line running eastward from Sandy
Point to the western extremity of Tiger Head.
72 - 74 Derwent River
66 Frederick Henry Bay and
Is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57).
Norfolk Bay - Shoreline Waters
M
Waters 200m seaward from the low water
mark of Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk
Bay or to the prescribed lines.
67 Frederick Henry Bay and
Norfolk Bay
M G
The area of Frederick Henry Bay and
Norfolk Bay bounded in the south with
a line from Cape Contrariety to North
West Head other than shoreline waters.
This includes Spectacle Island and between
Sloping Island and Green Head.
68 Eaglehawk Bay
M G
68
Eaglehawk Bay east of a line from
Sympathy Point to Heather Point.

Spears prohibited

72 Derwent River - Middle and Upper 75 D’Entrecasteaux Channel
M G M
Upstream of a line from the Crayfish Point The area bounded in the south by a line
boat ramp to Droughty Point. from Scott Point to the northern tip of
Partridge Island, then from the southern
73 Derwent River - Entrance
tip of that island to Labillardiere Peninsula
M G and in the north by a line from Dennes
South of the above no netting zone to a Point to Piersons Point.
line from Piersons Point to Dennes Point
76 Stinkpot Bay
to Cape Direction.
M G
74 Kingston Beach and Blackmans Bay
Upstream of a line from the boat ramp
M G at Dru Point to the western point of
In the river and inshore west of a line Stinkpot Bay.
from Bonnet Point at Kingston to Soldiers
77 Huon River
Rocks at Blackmans Bay.
M G
75 - 80 D’Entrecasteaux Channel
The area of the Huon River upstream of a
(includes North West Bay and Huon River)
line from the navigation light on Brabazon
Is a Shark Refuge Area (see page 57).
Point to the western side of the river.
78 Neck Beach
M G
Waters west of a line commencing at
43.2436 S / 147.4017 E Mars Bluff to
the point 43.3108 S / 147.3203 E at the
southern end of Neck Beach.
79 Esperance River
M G
Upstream of a line between Slacks Point
and Hawkers Point.
80 Stringers Cove
M G
Within the cove or 100m seaward.
81 Cloudy Bay Lagoon 69
M G
Upstream of a line extending from the
south-western tip of the spit at the
western end of Cloudy Beaches and then
west to the opposite shore.

82 - 85 Southport Area 86 Blackswan Lagoon (north of

Recherche Bay)
M G
Upstream of a line from the southern tip
of Little Lagoon Beach and west to the
other shore.
87 Catamaran River
M G
Those waters within 200m to seaward of
the mouth.
88 D’Entrecasteaux River
M G
82 Lune River and Hastings Bay Upstream of a line from the intersection
M G of the Cockle Creek Road and the
Leprena Track to the northern end
Upstream of a straight line across the
of Coal Pit Bight to the mouth of the
channel south of Bream Bay at latitude
D’Entrecasteaux River.
43.4472 S.
89 Recherche Bay
83 Southport - Western Side of Bay
M
M G
West of a line from Sullivan Point to the
West of an imaginary line running due
navigation light on Fishers Point.
south from Martyns Point to a second
straight line across the channel south of
Bream Bay at latitude 43.4472S.
84 Southport - Eastern Side of Bay
M
West of a line from Southport Bluff to
Burnett Point.
85 Southport Lagoon
M G
Upstream from the mouth of Southport
Lagoon.
70


Spears prohibited

90 New River Lagoon 94 Macquarie Harbour - Internal
M G Waters and Birchs Inlet
Upstream from the mouth. M G
Waters enclosed by a line running from
91 Hibbs Lagoon
Dead Horse Pt to King Pt to Connellys Pt
M G to Sophia Pt (through Phillips Is) to Gould
Upstream from the mouth of the lagoon. Pt to Charcoal Burners Bluff to Gordon Pt
to Rum Pt along high water to Steadmans
92 - 94 Macquarie Harbour
Pt to 42 19’ 50” S / 145 19’ 51.2”E to 42
18’ 32”S / 145 18’ 39.6”E following high
water of Liberty Pt to 42 17’ 39”S / 145
18’ 25”E, Liberty Bay to 42 17’ 27”S / 145
17’ 24” E following the high water mark
of Table Head to 42 17’ 02”S / 145 16’
22”E to Channel Beacon at 42 13’ 53.1”S
/ 145 18’ 33.3”E to the eastern side of
Neck Island to Buoy Pt to Dead Horse Pt.
Includes The Narrows and Lower end of
Birchs Inlet below Pine Creek.
95 Macquarie Harbour - South East
M G
South and east of a line between Gordon
Point and Charcoal Burners Bluff.
96 Henty River
M G
Upstream from a line 100m seaward of
mouth.
92 Macquarie Harbour - Entrance
97 Pieman River
M G
M G
South of a line of latitude 42.2120 S
between Nigger Head to Braddon Point Upstream of a line through Pieman Head
to a line of Longitude 145.2249 E between along longitude 144° 55’ E.
Wellington Point to Braddon Point. 98 Arthur River
93 Macquarie Harbour - Shoreline M G
Waters Upstream of a line from Gardiner Point, 71
M north to the opposite shore.
All waters seaward from the low water
mark of Macquarie Harbour (marked
in grey on the map) to the prescribed
baselines.

ESTUARIES, RIVERS AND LAGOONS
In the lower reaches of rivers and in Arthur River: bream fishing area
estuaries, separate Inland Fisheries rules upstream from a line at grid reference
may apply. For small rivers and creeks, the 303452/5452424 to the downstream side
border between inland and marine rules of the bridge connecting the Arthur River
is generally where the waters of the river road to Temma road.
meet the waters of the sea. For larger Bream Creek: bream fishing area
rivers with extensive tidal areas: downstream from a straight line between
• a seaward limit is set; or grid reference 570959/5261529 and grid
• special arrangements are in place for reference 570982/5261529 approximately
bream fishing. 2.5 kilometres from the river mouth.
Buxton River: bream fishing area from
Seaward Limits and Inland Waters:
the mouth upstream to the posts marking
Where a seaward limit is set, an inland
the tidal limit.
fisheries licence is required to fish on the
upstream side. Carlton River: seaward limit at the
crossing of the Carlton-Dunalley Road.
Bream Fishing Area: In a bream fishing
area, an inland fisheries licence is required Coal River: bream fishing area from the
for trout and seasons may apply. Bream mouth upstream to the weir immediately
and marine species can be taken without below Richmond.
an inland fisheries licence with up to two D’Entrecasteaux River: bream fishing
rods, all year round. area from the mouth upstream to the
road bridge.
For inland fishing enquiries, contact: Derwent River: bream fishing area
upstream from a line across the river from
Inland Fisheries Service Dowsings Point to Store Point to the
1300 INFISH Bridgewater Bridge.
www.ifs.tas.gov.au
The following is a list of the status of

some major rivers and estuaries.
Ansons River: bream fishing area
upstream from the mouth of the river
to the St Helens-Eddystone Point Road
bridge.
72
Don River: seaward limit at the down
stream side of the bridge carrying the
railway across that river.
Douglas River: bream fishing area from
the mouth upstream to the road bridge.

Esperance River: bream fishing area Leven River: seaward limit at the down-
from a line across the river at Chale Bay stream side of the bridge carrying the A1
upstream to the road bridge. road.
Forth River: seaward limit at the Lisdillon River: bream fishing area from
downstream side of the bridge carrying the mouth upstream to the road bridge
the A1 Road across that river. on the Tasman Highway.
Four Mile Creek: bream fishing area Little Swanport River: bream fishing
upstream from the mouth to the Four area from the mouth upstream to posts
Mile Creek Road bridge. approximately 800 metres above the
Great Forester River: seaward limit at Tasman Highway bridge.
the continuation of the high-water mark Lune River: bream fishing area from
on Waterhouse Beach. a line across the river at Echo Island
Great Musselroe River: bream fishing upstream to the first rapids.
area upstream from the mouth to the first Meredith River: bream fishing area
rapids marked by a post. upstream from the mouth to the main
Henty River: seaward limit at the road bridge.
mouth of that river at grid reference Mersey River: seaward limit at an
356499/5346132. imaginary straight line running north-east
Huon River: bream fishing area across that river from the junction of
upstream from a line drawn between a the B19 Road and Tarleton Road on the
white post on the shore of the southern western shore of that river to the boat
side of Castle Forbes Bay and another ramp on the eastern shore of that river.
white post on the eastern bank of the
river to the downstream side of the bridge
at Huonville.
Pieman River: bream fishing area

Inglis River: seaward limit at the down- upstream of a line through Pieman
Head along longitude 144.9166 E to the 73
stream side of the bridge carrying the
C234 road. seaward limit at an imaginary straight line
running south-east across that river from
Jordan River: bream fishing area from
Ferry Point at grid reference 41.6597 S /
the mouth upstream to the Cove Hill
144.9305 E.
Road bridge.

ESTUARIES, RIVERS AND LAGOONS
Prosser River: bream fishing area Fishing near Marine Farms

downstream from the Prosser River Dam Recreational fishing in marine farming
to the seaward limit at the road bridge. lease areas is prohibited without the
Sandspit River: bream fishing area permission of the leaseholder. Marine
downstream from the road bridge to farming leases provide the leaseholder
where it enters Earlham Lagoon. with exclusive right of occupation of the
Scamander River: bream fishing area waters and seabed.
from the bridge carrying the A3 upstream
to the posts near Mason’s windmill.
Swan River: seaward limit at a line

drawn between the white posts situated
on opposite banks of the Swan River near A few simple rules should be followed:
where it enters King Bay. • be aware of marine farming leases in
kanamaluka/River Tamar: seaward any area you intend to fish. If unsure,
limit at the parallel of latitude of Haystack check the lease charts on LISTMap at:
Point. www.thelist.tas.gov.au;
The Arm: St Helens, bream fishing area • keep well clear of the boundaries of
from the mouth upstream to the road marine farming lease areas which are
crossing marked by two posts. marked with IALA special markers
Tomahawk River: bream fishing area (see photos) as you may be trespassing;
from the West Tomahawk road bridge and
downstream for one kilometre. • be careful if anchoring or fishing near
deep water marine farming lease areas.
EAST COAST LAGOONS The anchors and mooring lines for
The following lagoons are bream fishing marine farming equipment are allowed
areas: Big Lagoon, Fortescue Lagoon, to extend outside the lease area and
74 Freshwater and Saltwater Lagoons you risk fouling your gear or anchor.
(at Friendly Beaches), Grants Lagoon,
Hendersons Lagoon, Old Mines Lagoon, For any questions regarding marine
Sloop Rock Lagoon, The Gardens Lagoon farming leases, contact the DPIPWE
and Wrinklers Lagoon. Orielton Lagoon, Marine Farming Branch on (03) 6165 3110.
Diana’s Basin and Templestowe Lagoon are
inland waters and IFS rules apply.

INDEX
A flounder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
abalone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 flounder nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
abalone disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 G
aboriginal fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 gaff hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
age restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 garfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
area restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
atlantic salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 giant crabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
australian salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 gillnets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
B graball net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
bag limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 groper, blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
bait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 H
bait net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 hand spears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
bait trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 handling fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
banded morwong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 hook and line fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
barracouta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 hoop net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
bastard trumpeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
I
beach seine net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
inland fisheries licence . . . . . . . . . . 14, 50
blue eye trevalla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
institute of marine and antarctic studies 12
blue warehou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
irretrievable gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 41
boarfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
boat limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 J
bream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 jack mackerel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
C K
cast net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 kingfish, yellowtail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
cauf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 L
clams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 landing net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
cockles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 leatherjacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
cod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 licence fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
crabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 licence numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
D licences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
dip net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 longline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 lost gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 41
dropline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 M
E mackerel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
estuaries and rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 marine farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
marine nature reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
F
marking rock lobster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
fish trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
measuring abalone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
fishcare volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
measuring rock lobster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
fishing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
measuring scallops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
fishing offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
measuring sharks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
fishwatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
morwong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
fishwise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
mullet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 75
flathead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

INDEX
mullet net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 sexing rock lobster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

mussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 shark refuge areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
N sharks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
native oysters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 shell collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
net area restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 shellfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
net buoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 silver trevally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
net mesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 size limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 snapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
new rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 snotty trevally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
no rock lobster pot areas . . . . . . . . . . . 42 southern calamari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
no spearing areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 spear guns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
special rock lobster licence . . . . . . 14, 37
O
squid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
octopus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
squid and calamari closure area . . . . . . 45
oysters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
squid jigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
P stingrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
periwinkles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 stolen gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 41
pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 striped trumpeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
pipis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
T
possession limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
tagged fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
prawns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
threatened species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
protected species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
public health alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 47
trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
R tuna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
rays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
U
redbait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
unhooking fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
redmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
releasing fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 W
research areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 water quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
rock lobster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 wedge shells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
rock lobster buoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 whitebait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
rock lobster diving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 whiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
rock lobster fishing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 wrasse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
rock lobster pot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
rock lobster regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Disclaimer: This booklet is a guide to the Tasmanian recreational fishing
rock lobster ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 rules as at 1 November 2017. It does not replace the Living Marine
Resources Management Act 1995 or the legislation made under it. No
rod fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to
the user’s purpose, of the information. Those using it are advised to verify
S it with the relevant Commonwealth or State government department,
local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate
scalefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not
accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss
scalefish species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information. Fishing laws
scallops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 change from time to time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are
acting within the law.
seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Acknowledgments: This guide has been compiled by the Wild Fisheries
Management Branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water
seaweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 and Environment. Images provided by DPIPWE and IMAS staff.
set line area restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Fish illustrations by Peter Gouldthorpe. Design and layout by the Land
76 Tasmania Design Unit, DPIPWE.
set lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

CONTACTS
Recreational Sea Fishing Phone: 1300 720 647

Enquiries, DPIPWE or (03) 6165 3233
Email: fishing.enquiries
@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Website: www.fishing.tas.gov.au
Facebook: facebook.com/
FisheriesTasmania
Recreational Sea Fishing Licences Available from: www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence or
Service Tasmania
Fishwatch - report illegal fishing 0427 655 557
- report lost or stolen gear
Marine Police (03) 6173 2475 or 0427 655 557
marine@police.tas.gov.au (non-urgent matters)
Fishcare Tasmania www.fishing.tas.gov.au/fishcare
South/Statewide: (03) 6165 3039
North: (03) 6777 2082
North-West: 0408 337 317
Email: fishcare@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Inland Fisheries Service 1300 463 474 or www.ifs.tas.gov.au
Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) 1300 135 513 or www.mast.tas.gov.au
Fisheries research IMAS: (03) 6227 7277 or www.imas.utas.edu.au
CSIRO: (03) 6232 5222 or www.csiro.au
Parks and Wildlife Service www.parks.tas.gov.au or 1300 135 513
Aboriginal fishing Details at www.fishing.tas.gov.au
Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 (24 hours freecall)
Marine pests - DPIPWE Biosecurity 1300 368 550
Marine pollution and fish kills (DPIPWE 1800 005 171 (24 hours freecall)
Environment Division)
REDMAP (unusual fish sightings) (03) 6227 7277 or www.redmap.org.au
Quarantine Tasmania 1800 084 881
TARFISH (recreational fishing peak body) 1300 665 225 or www.tarfish.org
Department of Public Health Public Health Hotline 1800 671 738 or
(biotoxin alerts, eating seafood safely) www.publichealthalerts.tas.gov.au
Tagged fish IMAS: (03) 6226 8280 or
email: fish.tag@utas.edu.au
Weather North: (03) 6323 2555
North-West: (03) 6498 7755
East: (03) 6376 0555
South: (03) 6233 9955
www.bom.gov.au
Whale sightings 0427 942 537
77

QUICK REFERENCE - BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE LIMITS
Shark Species
Fish Group Minimum Size
Shark, Mako and Blue 1 2 2 -
75cm
75 cm or
Shark, School and Gummy 2 2 *see below 45cm
45 cm headed & tailed
Sharks and Rays, Other, except
2 4 *see below -
elephantfish
* Shark boat limit
5
(all species combined)
Other Fish
Blacklip:
Arthur River east to
Musselroe Point: 120mm
12mm
Abalone Other waters: 138mm
138mm
10 20 -
Greenlip:
Montagu east to
132mm
Bridport: 132mm
145mm
Other waters: 145mm
Octopus 5 10 - -
Rock Lobster
Eastern Region 2 4 10 male:
Western Region 5 10 25 110 mm
110mm
As per
Northern Bass Strait 2 4
region female:
105 mm
105mm
Mainland Tasmania, Flinders, Cape
Barren and Bruny Islands including - 10 -
homes, shacks and vehicles
50 on water varies by species and
Scallops 50
100 on land region
Giant Crab 1 1 - 150-215mm
150-215mm
Inshore Crabs 15 30 - -
Prawns 50 100 - -
Sea Urchins no limit no limit no limit no limit
Bait Invertebrates (soldier crabs,
50 100 - -
burrowing shrimp, marine worms)
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
Catch Limits Definitions

Bag Limit – the maximum number or weight of a particular type of fish you as an individual fisher
can take in any one day.
Possession Limit – the maximum number or weight of a particular type of fish you as an individual
fisher can possess in a specified area in Tasmania. If no area is specified, it applies anywhere in Tasmania
including in your home.
Boat Limit – the maximum number or weight of a particular type of fish that can be possessed in
one boat at any one time. Personal daily bag and possession limits still apply.
78
Return fish in excess of any catch limit must be returned to the water even if no longer alive.

SCALEFISH CATCH LIMITS

Baitfish (anchovy, sprat, sardine,
hardyhead)
50 100 - -
Barracouta 15 30 - -
Boarfish, Longsnout 2 4 - 45
45cmcm
Bream (marine waters) 5 10 - 25
25cmcm
Cod 15 30 - -
Elephantfish 2 4 - -
Flathead, Sand and Tiger 20 30 - 32
32cmcm
5
Flathead, Bluespotted and Rock (Only 1 over 10 - 40cm
40 cm
60 cm)
Flounder 15 30 - 25
25cmcm
Garfish 15 30 - 25
25cmcm
Gurnard and Ocean Perch 15 30 - -
Kingfish,Yellowtail 5 10 - 45
45cmcm
Leatherjacket 10 20 - 20cm
20 cm
Mackerel and Redbait 30 60 - -
Morwong, Banded 2 4 - between 36-46
between 36-46cm
cm
Morwong, Jackass and Other 10 20 - 25
25cmcm
Mullet 15 30 - 25cm
25 cm
Pike, Longfin 15 30 - -
Salmon, Atlantic (marine waters) 12 24 - -
Salmon, Australian 15 30 - 20
20cmcm
Snapper 5 10 - 30cm
30 cm
Snook 5 10 - -
Squid - Southern Calamari 10 20 - -
Squid - Goulds 15 30 - -
Tailor 5 10 - -
Trevalla, Blue-eye 5 10 25 -
Trevally, Silver 10 20 - 20
20cmcm
Trout (marine waters) 12 24 - -
Trumpeter, Bastard 5 10 - 38
38cmcm
Trumpeter, Striped 4 8 20 55
55cmcm
4 (only 2
Tuna, Bluefin,Yellowfin, Bigeye 2 2 -
over 1.5m)
Tuna, Albacore 5 10 - -
Tuna, Skipjack 10 20 - -
Warehou, Blue and Silver 10 20 - 25
25cmcm
Whiting, King George 5 10 - 35
35cmcm
Whiting, Other 15 30 - -
Wrasse 5 10 - 30
30cmcm
Other fish not listed, except
5 10 - -
ornamental and protected species
Catch limits are a combined total for all species in a fish group. 79

Tas Fish Guide
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• Bag and size limits,
fishing rules
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Tassie species
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Recreational

Sea Fishing Guide

1 November 2017 - 31 October 2018

shark: nose to tail or back gill slit to base of

banded morwong: nose to fork of the tail

garfish: upper jaw to the end of the tail

for all species in a fish group.

(all species combined)

tail if headed and tailed

or 45cm headed and tailed

except ornamental species

*Other fish not listed,

Shark (Mako and Blue)

21 Snapper - King George Bluespotted

15 16 17 Warehou Wrasse 35cm and Rock.

3 4 5 Leatherjacket Garfish and Tiger

20cm Mullet and tailed) 45cm

limits may change

Valid as of 1 Novem and possession L FISHING

For updated inform Fish Guide app.

ries, Parks, Water

Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin, Bigeye)

to 132mm Montagu Island east

1. Check size before

detaching from rock.

REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING

2. Measure the widest

& QU CIAL v.au

and black • Use a de-hooker

Sand flathead: Sandy brown, is longer to quickly release

Size limits: blotch on the tail fin. The unwanted fish

Flathead, Bluespotted and

gill cover no markings. A rounder

on the gill barbless hooks to

spines flathead. The lower spine

cover is longer than the upper.

• Use a damp cloth or

brown body scattered with

small blue spots intermingle spines

with rows Depar tment of Pr imar

(only 1 over 60cm) of dark spots on the tail www.fishing.tas.gov.au

Minimum legal size

Use this ruler to measur

1 2 3 4 smaller than this.

REPORT ILLEGAL FISHING

There are no excuses

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

For updated information go to www.fishing.tas.gov.au

or download the Tas Fish Guide app.

for undersize fish.

Valid as of 1 November 2015.

Rulers and gauges available free from Service Tasmania shops.

1 November 2017 - 31 October 2018

Welcome to the 2017-18 The aim of this Guide is to present fishing

Recreational Sea Fishing Guide

Northern Calamari New measuring gauges

Northern Abalone Size

1 November 2017 - 31 October 2018

East Coast Rock Lobster • An estimated total recreational catch of

Photo: Emma Flukes

Recreational Sea Fishing Guide

Rock Lobster Fishery - Stay Informed

1 November 2017 - 31 October 2018