Recreational rock lobster fishermen have rejected calls for them to be banned from diving with compressed air.
The Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association passed a motion at its general meeting yesterday calling for an immediate ban on recreational divers.
The association says divers wreak havoc with inshore fisheries and target large females who carry the most eggs.
But Mike Stevens from Tasmania Fishing and Boating News says the commercial fishermen have got it wrong.
“I think the commercials should stick to managing the commercial side of the fishery, leave the recreationals alone,” he said
“Recreationals have never caught their limit. They catch about 107 tonnes of 170 tonnes they’re allowed.”
