Rock Lobster Recreational Catch an Effort

Recreational Catch and Effort

The fishery is primarily concentrated on the east coast of Tasmania (assessment areas 1-3). This combined region accounted for 75% of the total estimated harvest (54,415 lobster) in the 2020/21 season.

Recreational harvest of rock lobster by assessment area. Firstly, the total catch in number of lobster caught in each assessment area is given, while the colours are the proportion (%) of the total catch (number of individuals) that is attributed to each of the assessment areas. Secondly, the estimated weight of the total catch is given for each of the assessment areas, while the colours represent the proportion (%) of total weight taken that is attributed to each of the assessment areas.

Catch Per Fishing Method

Marked differences per assessment area are evident in the proportion of the rock lobster harvest taken by different fishing methods. In the 2020/21 season, pots accounted for the bulk of the harvest in all Areas (62 – 90%), except Area 5 (12%), while dive collection was the primary capture method in Areas 5 (86%). Rings were most commonly used off the west coast, accounting for up to 20% of the harvest in Area 7 in the 2020/21 season.

Proportion of harvest per assessment area by fishing method (pie charts) in number of animals taken.

Effort

The estimated total effort in fishing days for each assessment areas (number), and the proportion (%) of the total estimated effort that is attributed to each of the assessment areas (colour scale).