The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (Kaiar) season to open on Sunday 1 December
The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (Kaiar) fishing season for 2024–25 opens on, Sunday 1 December, for free diving and lamp fishing only. The tropical rock lobster (Kaiar) season will be open until 30 September 2025, or until available quota units have been caught.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is urging fishers to check that licences are current. Please call AFMA’s Thursday Island office on 07 4069 1990 to find out and renew.
The start of season total allowable catch (TAC) for 2024–25 will be 200 tonnes.
- The Traditional Inhabitant sector total allowable catch is set at 132.4 tonnes.
- The Transferrable Vessel Holder sector total allowable catch is set at 67.6 tonnes.
It is expected that the TAC will be increased once the outcomes of the scientific assessment processes and the TAC sharing arrangements under the treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea have been taken into account. Any increase in the TAC is expected to be determined by the end of February 2025.
Moontide hookah closures
Periodic closures to the use of hookah gear for three days either side of the full or new moon each month will be implemented during the 2024-25 fishing season. The first scheduled moontide hookah closure starts on 25 February 2025.
For more information, visit the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery page or call AFMA’s Thursday Island office on 07 4069 1990.