Crab Fishing

​​​​​​Bag and size limits​

​Crabs	​Bag Limit	​Possession Limit	​​​​Minimum Size​
​Inshore Crabs - all crabs other than giant crabs and soldier crabs. See bait invertebrates limits if you are using soldier crabs as bait.	​15 (species combined)	​30 (species combined)	​-
​​Giant Crab​	​1	​1	​Female: 150mm Male: 140mm (measure from front to back of carapace)
*Female crabs in berry (with eggs) cannot be kept​​. ​​​*Giant Crab - A recreational rock lobster pot licence is required to fish for giant crabs. You can only fish for giant crab during the recreational rock lobster season. Giant crabs have the same gear, bait and area restrictions​ as rock lobster.

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​​​​​​​​Inshore and other crabs​

Inshore crabs includes all crabs other than giant crabs and soldier crabs.

 

​​Soldier crabs

Soldier crabs are often used for bait and catch limits apply. See bait invertebrates​ for more information. 

There is no minimum size for soldier crabs. ​

Soldier Crab

​Seasons, size and possession limits and gear, bait and area restrictions apply. 

Giant Crab

European green crab

Fishing for the Europea​n green crab (also known as European shore crab) is not allowed in Tasmania as it is a recognised marine pest and fishing risks spreading the pest. ​

European Green Crab

​​What gear can be used to take crabs?

• ​​Crabs can be taken by hand, bait​ net​, dip net​, bait trap​, rock lobster ring or pot, but not specialised crab nets.
  

• A rock lobster licence is required if you are using a rock lobster pot or ring to catch crabs.
  

• Make sure you check the area restrictions and gear marking requirements before using. 
  

• Only one bait trap can be used to catch crabs, but it must be within the specified dimensions. Using bait traps is prohibited in some waters, such as Derwent River.  See Net and Line Area Restriction​s for more information.​
  

• ​Opera house traps are not legal gear in Tasmania. 

No​​ Opera House Traps

Crab illustrations by Peter Gouldthorpe​