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29 Dec 04 - Commercialising Undersized Lobsters Is Prohibited

This is a notice to the general public and commercial operators that the National Fisheries Authority would like to advise you all that harvesting and selling of undersized lobsters is prohibited. The National Lobster Management Plan and Western & Torres Strait Lobster Plan stipulates that there are certain sizes where lobster can be harvested and commercialised as tabulated:

Lobster Species Min. tail length (mm) Min. tail & tot. Wt (g)
Double-spinned lobster min. tail length: 100mm min: 169g, tot, wt: 409g
(Panulirus penicillatus)

Painited rock lobster min. tail length: 100mm min: 196g, tot, wt: 409g
(Panulirus veresiclor)

Long legged rock lobster min. tail length: 100mm min: 196g, tot, wt: 409g
(Panulirus longipes)

Scalloped rock lobster min. tail length: 100mm min: 196g, tot, wt: 409g
(Panulirus hamarus)

Tropical rock lobster min. tail length: 115mm min: 300g
(Panulirus ornatus)

However it has come to the attention of the National Fisheries Authority that there is continuous harvesting and commercialising of undersized lobsters and berried female lobsters. NFA will not hesitate to penalize or prosecute operators, buyers, sellers and fisherman who fail to comply with the provisions of the current plan, particularly on the harvesting of undersized lobsters.

If you have any queries in this regard, please contact the Fisheries Advisor or Prawn Scientist on telephone 309 0444, fax: 320 2061, email:amobiha@fisheries.gov.pg / lkoren@fiheries.gov.pg.