The recreational season for West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) has been announced and will open on 20 November 2021.

The 2021/2022 crayfish season will be restricted to 12 days and fishing will be allowed as follows:

From 20 November 2021 to 21 November 2021 (2 days);
From 16 December 2021 to 19 December 2021 (4 days);
From 31 December 2021 to 2 January 2022 (3 days);
From 15 April 2022 to 17 April 2022 (3 days).

Only persons over the age of 12 years may obtain a recreational fishing permit to engage in fishing, collecting, keeping, controlling, landing, transporting of, or possession of not more than four WCRL per day.

A permit costs R94 and can be purchased at the Post Office. Permits are valid for the entire season.

WCRL may be caught between 08:00 until 16:00 daily.

The bag limit is four per person per day and the size restriction is 80 millimetres carapace length.

No person catching WCRL with a recreational fishing permit may sell his/her catch and any WCRL caught, collected or transported must be kept in a whole state.

For further information please contact the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Branch: Fisheries Management) at CSCenquiries@environment.gov.za or Albi Modise on 083 490 2871

* The Government Gazette Notice in respect of the recreational fishing season will be issued in due course.