The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, has announced that the total allowable catch for rock lobster in Tasmanian waters will be unchanged for the 2012-2013 season.
The total allowable catch will be 1,103t for the commercial sector and 170 for recreational fishers.
“This is a balanced approach to issues facing the rock lobster fishery and follows cuts of almost 30% to the total allowable commercial catch over the past three years,” Mr Green said.
“The industry is reporting improved stocks and catch rates and the status quo will give it the opportunity to consolidate after what has been a very difficult couple of years.
The Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies has advised the unchanged total allowable catch will not pose a significant adverse biological risk to rock lobster stocks.
Mr Green said stock levels will continue to be closely monitored.
A new rock lobster management plan was introduced prior to the start of this season with measures to help ease pressure on East Coast stocks.
“We have a responsibility to manage rock lobster stocks sustainably and the new plan balances issues facing the fishery with the needs of the commercial and recreational sectors,” said Mr Green.
Plans were recently announced to relocate 100,000 slow growing, undersize rock lobsters from deep waters off Tasmania’s South-West coast to faster growth areas off the West Coast as part of a commercial trial to help boost the productivity of the fishery.
Mr Green said the move also had the potential to assist East Coast stocks in the long-term.
