Victoria moves to e-tags for crayfish
Victorian fishers keen for a Christmas cray can now log their catch via a smartphoneVictoria has abandoned its plastic tag-based recreational crayfish program in favour of a new electronic version that works simply by downloading an app to a smartphone.
Recreational fishers in the state have a daily bag limit of just two crayfish and a possession limit of four. Under the old scheme introduced in 2017, recreational fishers had to apply each year for physical tags that were attached to the cray once caught.
Over time, the program has had more than 12,000 recreational fishers register to target rock lobster, with more than 23,000 reported catches.
Under the new system, crayfishers will need to download the GoFishVic app and register for an electronic tag that will apply to their catch. The crays landed will also have to be tail-punched by either placing a hole in the central tail flap, or cutting off about a quarter of it.
This will still need to be done within five minutes of landing the cray, and within 50 metres of where it was caught.
Healthy fishery
“Information collected through the [southern rock lobster tagging] program is building our capacity to maintain a healthy fishery for recreational and commercial fishers and absolutely vital to the long-term sustainability of stocks,” Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said.
“Reporting is easy and we encourage fishers to get into the habit of reporting their catch as soon as possible. Simply start a new trip in the app, add your catch details, allocate a digital tag, finish your trip and have fun enjoying this brilliant fishery.”
Recreational fishers will have seven days in which to report their catch under the new system.
Victoria’s recreational crayfish season officially opens on November 16.
Under the rules, fishers are banned from taking female crayfish in berry – with eggs – or if their shell is soft.
Males must have a carapace of at least 11cm, while females must be a minimum of 10.5cm.
Crayfish can only be caught by hand using a snorkel, scuba or hookah gear, or by using up to two drop nets. Restrictions may also apply to where they are caught, such as intertidal zones in Port Phillip Bay.
The GoFishVic app also allows recreational fishers to record their catches. The GoFishVIC app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
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