The new Tasmanian Giant Crab Fishery Management Plan (the Fisheries (Giant Crab) Rules 2023) came into effect on 29 February following a period of public comment that closed on 27 November 2023.
The main changes included in the new management plan are:
- A one-month male giant crab closed season, the take of male giant crab will be closed from 1 July to 31 July each year.
- A maximum set time of 30 days for giant crab traps set in waters deeper than 120 metres, 48 hours applies to traps set in less than 120 metres.
- A maximum of 30 giant crab traps attached to a longline.
- A buoy line must be used on each end of a giant crab longline consisting of six or more traps.
- Commercial giant crab fishers must make a Leaving Port Report to the reporting service before commencing a fishing trip.
- Commercial giant crab fishers must make an entering port report at least two hours before returning to port.
- For any lost or found giant crab traps on a fishing trip a Lost trap Report or Found Trap Report must be made to the reporting service two hours before entering port.
- A process for reporting dead giant crab found on a fishing vessel, where more than five giant crab are found a fisheries officer must be notified. Any dead giant crab will deducted from the quota unit balance, however, a licence holder may apply for dead giant crab not to be taken off the quota unit balance.
- Ports of landing where giant crab can be unloaded have been amended removing ports that have not been used.