Shellfish and Shell Collecting

​​​​​Shellfish bag limits

​Species	​Daily Bag Limit
​Clams, cockles and pipis (species combined)	​100
​Wedge shells (type of small pipi)	​200
​Mussels	​100
​Periwinkles (Lunella undulata only)	​100
​Pacific oysters	​no limit
​Native oysters	​50
​Other shellfish (species combined) except protected species Does not include abalone or scallops, which require a licence to fish.	​20

There are some exemptions in place for Aboriginal people participating in ​Aboriginal fishing activities.

Recreational fishers can only use their hands to collect clams, cockles, pipis and wedge shells. Equipment such as rakes or spades are prohibited.

Eating shellfish safely

See Eating Fish Safely for more detail.

Protected shellfish

The taking of limpets and elephant snails is prohibited as they are protected species under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995.

Aboriginal Fishing

Aboriginal fishers may take and possess elephant snails and limpet. 

Bag limit for wedge shells and other shellfish (species combined, exclude abalone or scallops) do not apply to Aboriginal fishers. ​​​

Shell collecting

There is no restriction on shell collecting from beaches for recreational or commercial purposes, provided that the shell does not contain the living organism, that is, it is not a live shellfish when taken. There are limits on the collection of live shellfish. Shells cannot be collected from reserved land - contact the Parks and Wildlife Service for more information.

​​贝类以及贝壳收集

​For shellfish and shell collection rules in Simplified Chinese, see the 贝类以及贝壳收集​ page. 

Illustrations by Peter Gouldthorpe