Southern Rock Lobster
Regulations
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | 11 cm min | 2 |
Closed: Female closed 1 Jun - 15 Nov; male closed 15 Sep - 15 Nov | ||
| SA | 11 cm min | 4 |
Closed: Seasonal closures vary — verify with PIRSA | ||
| TAS | 11 cm min | 2 |
Closed: Strict seasonal and area closures — full ban Sep-Nov in many areas | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about southern rock lobster
Cool-water spiny lobster of southern Australia — SA, VIC, TAS and southern WA. Taken by recreational divers and pot fishers under strict licence, size, season and zone rules in each state. Premier table crustacean — verify rules and tagging before heading out.
Biology: Southern Rock Lobster size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 10–14 cm (max 25 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–1.5 kg (max 7 kg)
- Depth range
- 5–200 m
- Diet
- molluscs, urchins, dead fish
- Most active
- nocturnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia and NZ (Jasus edwardsii)
How to target: Southern Rock Lobster angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- lobster pots baited with fish frames set on rocky reef edges overnight
- diving and hand-collecting from rocky ledges in shallow reef (where lawful)
Best season: when to catch southern rock lobster in Australia
- VIC
- Nov-May (when open)
- TAS
- Nov-Aug (varies by region)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Safety & handling
Berried (egg-carrying) females must always be released.
Conservation
Tightly managed quota fishery; rec licence required in VIC and TAS.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught southern rock lobster
No southern rock lobster catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.