The South Coast Crustacean Fishery comprise four pot-based fisheries that operate from Augusta to the South Australian border.

They include the Windy Harbour/Augusta Rock Lobster Managed Fishery, the Esperance Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (ERLF), the Southern Rock Lobster Pot Regulation Fishery operating in the Albany and Great Australian Bight sectors, and the South Coast deep-sea crab fishery.

The fisheries are multi-species and take southern rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) and western rock lobsters (Panulirus cygnus) as well as deep-sea crab species including giant crabs (Pseudocarcinus gigas) crystal crabs (Chaceon albus) and champagne crabs (Hypothalassia acerba).

Southern rock lobsters comprise the majority of the catch in the eastern areas of the fishery, with crab species becoming more prevalent in the south-western region.

Western rock lobsters are a significant component of the catch in the Windy Harbour/Augusta Rock Lobster Managed Fishery.

The season for fishing for rock lobsters throughout all south coast crustacean fisheries mirrors the previous West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery season (prior to the 2010/11 season i.e. 15 November to 30 June). Fishing for deep-sea crabs can currently occur all year, but during the rock lobster season operators fishing under the authority of a Southern Rock Lobster Pot Regulation Licence must only use the number of pots endorsed on their authorisation. There is currently no limit on the number of deep sea crab pots that can be used by holders of Fishing Boat Licence Condition.

Key Species Fished

Name
Champagne Crab
Crystal Crab
Giant Crab
King Crab
Southern Rock Lobster
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