Fishing for Rock Lobster
Open Season
15 November – 30 June
Licensing
You must have a recreational fishing licence if you wish to take rock lobsters. These are available direct from the Department of Fisheries or through Australia Post outlets.
Legal carapace sizes
See the section on how to measure a lobster. Lobsters below the minimum or above the maximum size may not be taken, and must be returned to the water within five minutes of capture.
| Western Rock Lobster | |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Maximum (FEMALES ONLY) |
15 Nov. - 31 Jan: 77mm. |
Between 21o 44' south latitude (northern end of Ningaloo Marine Park) and 30o south latitude - 105 mm Between 30o south latitude and 34o 24' south latitude, excluding waters east of 116o east longitude - 115 mm |
| Southern Rock Lobster | |
| Minimum | Maximum |
98.5mm |
no maximum. |
| Painted and Ornate Rock Lobster | |
| Minimum | Maximum |
76mm |
no maximum. |
Daily bag limits
 |
8 rock lobsters of any species per licence. |
 |
16 lobsters may be carried or held aboard a vessel. |
 |
4 rock lobsters and a boat limit of 8 applies in the Pilbara/Kimberley regions. |
In Ningaloo Marine Park and Exmouth Gulf land zone, a daily bag limit of 4 and a boat limit of 8 applies.
Make sure you carry an accurate gauge to measure lobster carapaces, as rulers and tape measures are not accurate enough. Gauges are available in most tackle shops.
Sea lion exclusion device
Recreational fishers using lobster pots between Wedge Island and Freshwater Point, south of Dongara are now required to fit sea lion exclusion devices to their pots to prevent the mortality of sea lion pups that get caught in pots. For more details see here.
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