The fishery is managed within the broad sustainability framework provided by the Fisheries Act 1982 and in accordance with the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery Management Plan 1997 (the Plan). The Plan provides clear management guidelines for all stakeholders, consistent with established biological economic, environmental and social principles.

In addition in order to maintain an exemption from the export controls of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act), the fishery is assessed to confirm that the fishery is operating within the ‘guidelines for the ecologically sustainable management of fisheries.

The mainstays of ensuring stock sustainability under these Acts are to ensure the catch quota is not exceeded and that information is available to undertake accurate stock assessments. This requires effective monitoring of landings and accurate weighing of catch along with deterrents to avoiding quota and prosecution when breaches occur.

Accurate and timely data collection and management is required and under a full cost recovery regime these costs are borne directly by licence holders in the fishery.

Ongoing improvements in monitoring and recording are needed to offset cost increases in Government research and compliance services over time.