Fisheries Research Areas may have restrictions on some types of recreational and commercial fishing depending on the research being conducted. The map below depicts all fisheries research areas, marine reserves and
shark refuge areas in and around Tasmania. For information about State and Commonwealth marine reserves, see the
Marine Reserves webpage.
Waterwitch Reef Abalone Research Area
No taking of any fish by diving within the area of water bounded by a line from 143
˚47'54.77"E/39
˚52'54.55"S to 143
˚48'54.53"E/39
˚52'54.55"S to 143
˚48'54.53"E/39
˚53'54.67"S to 143
˚47'54.77"E/39
˚53'54.67"S.
Inner Sister Island Abalone Research Area (north of Flinders Is)
No taking of any fish by diving within 500 m of the high-water-mark between
147˚53'15"E/39˚41'2.41"S and 147˚53'21"E/
39˚42'0.31"S.
Swan Island Abalone Research Area
No taking of any fish by diving within the research area bounded by a line commencing at the intersection of the high water mark and the line of latitude 40˚ 43' 49.22"S to the point 148˚ 8'0.22"E/40˚ 43' 49.22"S then generally in a southwesterly direction 500 metres from the high water mark of Swan Island to the point 148˚ 7' 1.9"E/40˚ 44' 16.28"S then generally north west to the high water mark.
Bay of Fires Abalone Research Area
The research area extends south from Eddystone Point to the southern end of Taylors Beach. The research area is closed to the take and possession of abalone by recreational and commercial fishers.
Elephant Rock Rock Lobster Research Area
*Elephant Rock reopened to recreational rock lobster potting on 2 December 2023 for three years, as part of a recreational fishing research program.*
Fishing restrictions:
- Taking of rock lobster by recreational fishers using pots is permitted.
- No commercial take of rock lobster.
- No taking of rock lobster by ring.
- No taking of fish including abalone or rock lobster by diving, except for
commercially licensed divers who can take longspined sea urchins under
an Exemption Order.
The Eastern Region bag limit of 2 applies for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
The research area is off Grants Point including Elephant Rock within the area of water bounded by a line commencing at the intersection of the high-water mark and where the line of latitude 41˚ 15.15' S crosses the east coast of the mainland of Tasmania then approximately northeastward to the point latitude, 41˚ 14.793' S, longitude 148˚ 20.266' E; then approximately eastward to the point latitude 41˚ 14.8017' S, longitude 148˚ 20.641' E; then approximately southward to the point latitude 41˚ 15.44' S, longitude 148˚ 20.691' E; then due west along the line of latitude 41˚ 15.44' S to the high-water mark then following the high-water mark to the beginning of the imaginary line.
North Bay Rock Lobster Research Area
*North Bay reopened to recreational rock lobster potting on 2 December 2023 for three years, as part of a recreational fishing research program.*
Fishing restrictions:
- Taking of rock lobster by recreational fishers using pots is permitted.
- No commercial take of rock lobster.
- No taking of rock lobster by ring.
- No taking of fish including abalone or rock lobster by diving, except for
commercially licensed divers who can take longspined sea urchins under
an Exemption Order.
The Eastern Region bag limit of 2 applies for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
Instrument of Exemption - North Bay Fisheries (Research Area) Order 2009 (PDF 99Kb)
The research area is south of North Bay on Cape Frederick Hendrick, east of Dunalley. In North Bay commencing at the intersection of the high-water mark and the line of longitude 147˚ 56' 47.4"E to the point 147˚ 56' 47.4"E / 42˚ 52' 17.6"S to the point 147˚ 57' 38.3"E / 42˚ 51' 55.1"S then due south to the high-water mark.
George III Rock Abalone Research Area
No anchoring, swimming or taking of any fish by diving is allowed within 500 m of the rock.
Doughboys Abalone Research Area
No taking of any fish by diving within the area of water bounded by a line from 144˚40'3.86"E/40˚40'6.65S to 144˚40'58.87"E/40˚40'6.65"S to 144˚40'58.87E/40˚40'24.65"S to144˚40'3.86"E/40˚40'24.65"S.
Taroona Waters (Crayfish Point) Research Area
Taroona Waters extends from a south-easterly arc 800 metres from the shore at the end of Nubeena Crescent continuing 800 metres offshore to the boat ramp on Taroona Beach. A 200 metre buffer zone surrounds the reserve starting from the shore of the Seaview Ave walking track and 200 metres west of the boat ramp at Taroona Beach. You may possess rock lobster or abalone taken outside the reserve on a boat that is transiting the buffer zone to or from the Taroona Beach boat ramp. You may fish with a rod and line in this Research Area.
No commercial take of rock lobster.