Rock Lobster
Fishery Overview
The Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery is based primarily The Rock Lobster Fishery is Victoria’s most valuable commercial fishery. Almost all of the catch is now exported to international markets, mostly in Asia, with the remainder sold on the domestic market.
Management Arrangements
The Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery is based primarily
- The legal minimum length for male and female rock is 110 millimetres and 105 millimetres in carapace length, respectively.
- Fishing for rock lobsters is prohibited during closed seasons.
- The closed season for female rock lobsters is from 1 June to 15 November and is designed to protect females in berry (with eggs attached) during the spawning period.
- The closed season for male rock lobsters is from 15 September to 15 November and is designed to protect males during the moulting period when soft shells increase their vulnerability
Fishing method
Rock lobsters are caught in beehived-shaped pots that are 1.5 metres wide by 1.5 metres long and 1.2 metres high. The pots have one entrance and escape gaps to allow undersize animals to escape. Pots are tied to lines with identifying buoys that are visible on the surface of the water
