Restrictions on netting and the use of set lines apply in some areas around Tasmania, mainly in rivers and estuaries to protect vulnerable species or sensitive habitats. Check for any restrictions in your area before you go fishing.
Moulting Lagoon
Upstream from the mouth, including the waters of King Bay and Pelican Bay to where the Swan River enters King Bay. Note: bait nets are allowed.
Freshwater Lagoon
Upstream from the mouth.
Saltwater Lagoon
Upstream from the mouth.
Great Oyster Bay
Is a Shark Refuge Area and, as such, the taking of shark, skate and rays is prohibited. The use of set lines and mullet nets is also prohibited.
Northern end - North of a line from Waterloo Point at Swansea to The Fisheries at Coles Bay. Beach seine nets are not allowed in Coles Bay from Hepburn Point to The Fisheries.
Southern end - North of a line from Seaford Point to Weatherhead Point to a line from Waterloo Point at Swansea to The Fisheries at Coles Bay. Beach seine nets are not allowed in Promise Bay.
Meredith River
Upstream from the mouth to the main road bridge.
Bryans Lagoon
Upstream from the mouth.
Lisdillon River
Upstream of a line from the southern tip of Lisdillon Beach and west to the opposite shore.
Mayfield River
Upstream from the mouth.
Troyheleener Lagoon
Upstream of the Tasman Highway (A3) road bridge.
Buxton River
Upstream of a line from the south-eastern tip of Horrels Point to Penquite Point to the posts marking the tidal limit.
Little Swanport Estuary and Little Swanport River
Upstream of a northerly line from Limekiln Point to the opposite shore to the downstream side of the Tasman Highway bridge. Bream fishing area to posts approximately 800 metres above the downstream side of Tasman Highway bridge.
East Coast Waters
The East Coast Waters area is a Shark Refuge Area and the taking of shark, skates and rays is prohibited. The use of set lines and mullet nets is also prohibited.
Within three nautical miles of the coast between Seaford Point south to Cape Bougainville.
Okehampton Lagoon
Upstream from the mouth.
Prosser River
Upstream from the mouth to the seaward limit at the downstream side of the A3 road bridge.
Mercury Passage
Mercury Passage is a Shark Refuge Area and the taking of shark, skate and rays is prohibited. The use of set lines and mullet nets is also prohibited.
Mercury Passage includes the area bounded in the north by a line from Cape Bougainville to Cape Boullanger and in the south by a line from Cape Bernier to Cape Peron, further than 200 m from the shoreline.
Mercury Passage shoreline waters - the area within 200 m of the low water mark. Graball nets may be used except in areas closed to fishing such as reserves.
Earlham Lagoon (south of Rheban)
Upstream of the mouth of the lagoon to where the Sandspit River enters the lagoon at grid reference 576279/5277769.
Reserves and Research Areas
Maria Island Marine Nature Reserve: includes all waters up to 1 kilometre offshore from the north-eastern point of Fossil Bay to Return Point and covers 1,500 hectares.
Click here for a map of this area.
No fishing or setting of fishing gear is allowed in the reserve between Cape Boullanger in the north and Return Point in the south. Recreational fishing is permitted in the north-eastern section of the reserve.More information about
Marine Reserves and
Fisheries Research Areas.
Shark Refuge Areas
The taking of shark, skate and rays is prohibited as is the use of set lines and mullet nets in the following areas:
Great Oyster Bay: north of a line from Seaford Point to Weatherhead Point on Freycinet Peninsula.
Click here for map of this area.
East Coast Waters: those waters within three nautical miles of any part of the coast between Seaford Point and Cape Bougainville.
Click here for map of this area.
Mercury Passage: bounded in the north by a line from Cape Bougainville to Cape Boullanger and in the south by a line from Cape Peron to Cape Bernier.
Click here for map of this area.Find out more about
shark refuge areas.
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