If you've caught a tagged fish or want to know what to do when you catch one, here's everything you need to know - and scroll down for more specific info on catching a tagged lobsters or sand flathead, and our fish frame collection project.
Record info about the tagged fish
If you happen to catch a tagged fish, please record the following information:
- tag number
- type of fish
- size of fish
- sex of fish (for lobsters)
- where you caught it
- date you caught it
You can report this to IMAS info by:
- Mobile: 0409 277 140
- Email: fish.tag@utas.edu.au
Caught a tagged lobster? Report it and win!
If you catch and report a tagged lobster to IMAS during the fishing season, you will be contributing to vital research aiming to keep our rock lobster fishery healthy and sustainable – and you’ll go in the draw to win great prizes through our Rock Lobster Tag Lottery!
For every tag you report, you will receive one entry into the lottery which is drawn quarterly and features some great prizes. Plus, you’ll also go into our annual major draw prize for the chance to win a big end-of-season prize!
For the 2024-25 season, our generous sponsors are Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, Mures Tasmania, Tamar Marine and Go Dive Tasmania.
How to report tagged lobster catches:
Record size, sex, catch location, date and tag number and send the details to IMAS by:
- Mobile: 0409 277 140
- Email: fish.tag@utas.edu.au
- Mail: Crustacean Research, Private Bag 49, Hobart TAS 7001
Don’t forget to provide your contact details too!
Report your tagged Sand Flathead to IMAS and win!
We’re tagging Sand flathead to enhance our understanding of their biology and movement in Tasmanian waters. This will help improve the fishery’s health and sustainability.
Fishers can contribute this this vital research by reporting tagged Sand flathead to IMAS. For every tag you report, you’ll go into our Sand Flathead Tag Lottery draw, with three fishers sharing in a prize pool of $600 worth of fishing gear every six months.
How to report tagged Sand Flathead catches:
- Mobile: 0409 277 140
- Email: fish.tag@utas.edu.au
- Mail: Sand Flathead Research, Private Bag 49, Hobart TAS 7001
Don’t forget to provide your contact details too!
Tassie Fish Frame program
Recreational fishers have the opportunity to contribute to scientific research by donating fish frames to IMAS. These frames play a vital role in enhancing our understanding of various fish species.
IMAS researchers use the frames to assess the age, length, sex, maturity and breeding condition of the fish if the organs are intact. The program is currently focusing on:
- Sand flathead
- Striped trumpeter
- Snapper
- Yellowtail kingfish
- King George whiting.
Fishers interested in participating can freeze their frames, note the date and location of capture, and drop them off at participating tackle stores around Tasmania:
- Tackleworld, Burnie
- Deegan Marine, Ulverstone
- Seamaster, Devonport
- BCF, Devonport
- Tamar Marine, Launceston
- Fisherman's Shed, Kingston
- Spot-On, Hobart
- Franklin Marine, Franklin
- Slipway, Salvage and Marine, St Helens
- Freycinet Visitor Centre, Coles Bay