Licences
-
You cannot take abalone on behalf of another licence holder.
- You must be 10 years or older to hold an abalone licence.
Blacklip abalone and
greenlip abalone
Aboriginal fishing
Aboriginal people engaged in
Aboriginal fishing are exempt from holding a recreational fishing licence but must comply with all other rules, except those relating to abalone tools.
Size limits
The minimum size for abalone varies around Tasmania for both
blacklip and
greenlip. The maps below show the areas corresponding to the different size limits. Please note that recreational and commercial size limits may not be the same.
Species
|
Zones
|
Size Limit
|
Blacklip Abalone
| Arthur River east to Musselroe Point
| 120 mm
|
Other waters
| 138 mm
|
Greenlip Abalone
| Montagu east to Bridport
| 132 mm
|
Other waters
| 145 mm
|
Blacklip size limit boundaries with north-eastern detail
Greenlip size limit boundaries including Perkins Bay detail
Bag and possession limits
Fishers with a recreational abalone diving licence can have:
- a personal bag limit of 10 abalone (combined species) per day.
- a possession limit of 20 abalone.
Fishers without a recreational abalone licence:
- can not take abalone;
- can not possess abalone on state waters; and
- Can possess up to 5 abalone without a receipt on land. If you possess more than this, keep your receipt for purchases.
Measuring abalone
-
Abalone are measured across the widest part of the shell. -
You must carry a measuring device if you are fishing for abalone.
- Measure the abalone before detaching it where possible as abalone that have been cut may die.
- Undersize abalone must be replaced immediately.
Get a free abalone measuring gauge at Service Tasmania.
Measuring devices
An abalone measuring device must be either:
- A Vernier calliper; or
- A gauge, knife or abalone iron with prominent markings or extended prongs that indicates the minimum size limits for abalone.
Abalone tools
Only the following tools can be used to take abalone:
- A commercially manufactured knife with a blade not less than 18mm wide excluding that part of the blade that is within 50mm of the tip;
- An abalone iron that is a broadly flat-bladed, chisel-like lever not less than 18mm in width.
This does not apply to Aboriginal fishers.
Abalone iron
Shucking and eating abalone
You can shuck (remove from shell) and eat one abalone per licence holder at sea. The shell must be retained and brought ashore. This abalone is included in your daily bag limit. All other abalone must be brought ashore above the high water mark before shucking.
No night fishing
You cannot take abalone between sunset and sunrise.
Public Health alerts
There are occasional restrictions on eating abalone due to toxic algal blooms. Check for
current Public Health Warnings.