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Eastern Rocklobster
Latin name: Sagmariasus verreauxi
Common name: Lobster
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Wild Caught
Region:
NSW
- Depleted stocks of Eastern rocklobster have been rebuilt through improved management (e.g. yearly catch and size limits).
- Lobster pots have a minimal impact on marine habitats.
- Bycatch of other species is low.
- NSW New South Wales Rocklobster Fishery (~150t annually between 1998 and 2009)
Although depleted in the 1990s, stocks of Eastern rocklobster have been rebuilt through improved management, including setting yearly catch and size limits and rocklobsters outside certain size limits must be returned to the water. These measures have protected breeding animals and juveniles from capture to a point where the fishery is now considered healthy.
Eastern rocklobsters are caught in lobster pots that are lowered to the sea floor and rest in place until lifted up for harvest. Disturbances to the sea floor are minimal.
As the pots used are highly targeted, bycatch of other species is low. Most bycatch is of species that can be readily released on retrieval of pots (for example undersized lobsters, hermit crabs, octopus and ocean jackets).