Sea urchin and turban shell restricted fishery closures
Commencement of regional catch and size limits for red urchins.
As part of the determination of the total allowable commercial catch for red urchins for 2023 the Total Allowable Fishing (TAF) Committee recommended that regional catch limits and a size limit be introduced to promote a sustainable fishery and to reduce the risk of localised depletion. Following industry consultation a size limit of 95mm was implemented 13 December 2019 and regional catch limits were implemented 11 October 2019. View the Fisheries Management (Red Sea Urchin) Fishing Closure Notification 2022 (PDF, 282.73 KB).
Red urchin harvesters are now prohibited from taking red urchins with a maximum test diameter (size limit) of less than 95 mm. Maximum test diameter means the maximum diameter of the sea urchin when measured along its longest axis, disregarding any spines. This measure will contribute to protecting juvenile red urchin from harvest. Monitoring of regional catch will be ongoing and closures advised if needed.
General closures
For the purposes of section 20 (2) of the Act, it is declared that the waters specified in Clause 166 of the Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2010 are waters in which the taking of sea urchins (excluding Centrostephanus rodgersii) and turban shells by any method is prohibited.
Fishers are advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant fisheries legislation and be aware that other restrictions on fishing operations may apply in Marine Protected Areas.
| Location | Waters | Maps |
|---|---|---|
Sandon to Red Rock | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 153°19′57.9648″ east, 29°40′25.8456″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 153°14′03.4764″ east, 29°58′52.014″ south. | |
Red Rock to Coffs Harbour | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 153°14′03.4764″ east, 29°58′52.014″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 153°09′11.6064″ east, 30°18′31.8888″ south. | |
Seal Rocks to Broughton Island | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 152°32′09.9384″ east, 32°26′02.3964″ south and a line drawn east from the point 152°17′16.75″ east, 32°35′25.0044″ south. | |
Ex-HMAS Adelaide Reserve | The whole of the waters enclosed by the following coordinates:
| |
Broken Bay to Sydney Harbour | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 151°19′43.8888″ east, 33°34′40.7532″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 151°16′51.2508″ east, 33°49′58.152″ south. | |
Sydney Harbour to Bondi Beach | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 151°16′51.2508″ east, 33°49′58.152″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 151°16′37.146″ east, 33°53′30.9696″ south. | |
Bondi Beach to Botany Bay | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 151°16′37.146″ east, 33°53′30.9696″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 151°13′19.992″ east, 34°00′05.364″ south. | |
Bombo Beach to Werri Beach | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east of the point 150°51′23.0616″ east, 34°39′26.8029″ south and a line drawn east of the point 150°50′06.7020″ east, 34°44′04.1820″ south. | |
Currarong to Point Perpendicular | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the points 150°49′20.4636″ east, 34°58′58.6668″ south, and 150°49′20.4636″ east, 35°00′49.5396″ south and a line drawn east from the point 150°48′16.236″ east, 35°05′39.9084″ south. | |
Inside Jervis Bay | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 150°48′16.236″ east, 35°05′39.9084″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 150°46′06.0456″ east, 35°06′43.992″ south. | |
Malua Bay to Burrewarra Point | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 150°13′51.1356″ east, 35°47′34.5696″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 150°14′07.7244″ east, 35°50′06.0324″ south. | |
Cuttagee Point to Thibbul Inlet (Murrah) | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 150°03′18.2196″ east, 36°29′16.6056″ south and a line drawn east from the point 150°03′27.1296″ east, 36°31′32.7576″ south. | |
Bithry Inlet to Barounda Inlet | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 150°01′12.2052″ east, 36°37′46.8768″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 149°59′41.7444″ east, 36°41′09.3264″ south. | |
Mowarry Point to Saltwater Beach | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 150°00′16.5996″ east, 37°08′29.1552″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 150°00′11.484″ east, 37°10′10.8336″ south. | |
Black Head Anchorage to Nadgee Lake | The whole of the waters between a line drawn east from the point 149°58′21.5148″ east, 37°26′26.358″ south, and a line drawn east from the point 149°58′21.1764″ east, 37°27′54.9648″ south. |
