(Image courtesy Tasmania Police)
A George Town man has been fined $2,000 for illegally possessing 16 southern rock lobsters, one of which was found to be undersize.
Police intercepted a vehicle in Westbury on Monday and found the rock lobsters that had been caught at Strahan on the West Coast.
Recreational fishery rules prohibit a person possessing more than 10 rock lobsters taken from the western region of Tasmania without a special licence, and the daily catch limit for the region is five rock lobsters per day.
Senior Constable Christopher Rockliff from Westbury Police said that while rules in the western region haven’t changed in recent times, several other changes across the state have been implemented this season.
“Recreational fishers should review the new rules, which include different methods of tail clipping, increased size limits and reduced daily bag and total possessions limits in some areas,” he said.
“The rules are reviewed in line with changing stock levels and penalties reflect the importance of protecting the fishery industry and ensuring sustainable fishing into the future.”
