LOBSTER TAC CONFIRMED BY DAFF - 17% CUT IN QUOTAS

The Fisheries Department has confirmed that the lobster TAC for the 2014/2015 season has been cut by 17% as follows:

• Commercial Fishing (Offshore): 1120.25 tons (previously 1356.56 tons);

• Commercial Fishing (Nearshore): 376.10 tons (previously 451 tons);

• Subsistence (Interim Relief Measure) Fishing: 235.45 tons (previously 276 tons);  and

• Recreational Fishing: 69.20 tons (previously 83.5 tons)

The department's press statement states that the "2014/15 season for recreational fishing of WCRL will open on Sunday, 15 November 2014, and will close on Monday, 6 April 2014." The season will actually start on Saturday 14 November. Sunday will of course be the 16th.


As previously reported on this BLOG, the recreational fishery will be restricted to 21 fishing days spread between SATURDAY 15 November and the Easter Weekend as follows:

• November: 15 November 2014 to 16 November 2014 (2 days)

• December: 16 December 2014 (1 day)

• December/January: 20 December 2014 to 2 January 2015 (14 days)

• Easter Weekend: 3 April 2015 to 6 April 2015 (4 days)

These are the only days on which recreational fishing for lobster may occur.

Further restrictions concerning recreational fishing are as follows:

• Only persons over the age of 12 may fish;
• All recreational fishing may only be undertaken in terms of a recreational fishing permit, which will cost R94 for the season. These permits have traditionally been available via the SA Post Office;
• Recreational fishing will be permitted between 8am and 16h00 on the days permitted;
• Lobsters with a carapace length of less than 80mm ARE NOT ALLOWED;
• Lobsters caught with a recreational permit MAY NOT BE SOLD;
• A maximum of 20 lobsters may be transported in a single vehicle provided that all permit holders are present and all lobsters must be transported in a whole state.

The commercial and interim relief fishery sectors are subject to their own permit conditions and regulations.