Rock lobster catch app trial underway

The Tasmanian Government is working toward a goal of an increased East Coast rock lobster catch share for the recreational sector and believes a new trial Catch Monitoring App will help.

Recreational rock lobster fishers are being encouraged to log their catches and fishing trips as part of a trial to better manage the rock lobster fishery – particularly for the East Coast.

About 18,500 recreational fishers are expected to fish for rock lobster in

the coming months – with about 11,500 of them doing so on the East Coast.

Last season, surveys conducted by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) estimated 72,000 lobsters were taken by recreational fishers, with 70 per cent from the East Coast.

Real-time catch data collected through the Rock Lobster Catch Monitoring Trial App aims to improve reporting of recreational catch.

The trial is entirely voluntary and any feedback will help develop future versions of the App, including improved functionality such as lobster measurements and citizen science observations.

The trial also provides an opportunity to explore future management options.

The catch data collected through the trial will assist in trialling systems and ideas ahead of further developments and formal consultation with the industry.

We encourage rock lobster fishers to be part of the trial to help with improving future functionality of the App to benefit recreational fishers and the stock.

Rock lobster fishers are also reminded to get their licence before fishing and to stick to the rules. Responsible fishing and rules can be found at www.fishing.tas.gov.au.

Further details about the app can be found at Recreational Rock Lobster and Abalone Research | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au)