As the summer of 2024 approaches, recreational fishers across the globe are gearing up for a season of adventure and exploration. One question that often arises is: how many sea urchins can you legally take? The answer varies depending on your location and the specific regulations in place.
Sea Urchin Bag Limits in Victoria, Australia
In Victoria, Australia, the recreational fishing guide states that there is no minimum legal size for sea urchins, but there is a total combined bag limit of 40 urchins from one or more species. This means that fishers can collect up to 40 sea urchins in total, regardless of the species. However, there are some additional restrictions to keep in mind:
- Roe and other soft tissues must not be removed from sea urchins in, on, or next to Victorian waters.
- Sea urchins cannot be collected in waters less than 2m deep (the intertidal zone) in Port Phillip Bay.
- Sea urchins cannot be collected in Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Sea Urchin Bag Limits in New South Wales, Australia
In New South Wales, Australia, the recreational fishing rules state that there is a bag limit of 10 sea urchins in total. This means that fishers can collect up to 10 sea urchins, regardless of the species.
Sea Urchin Bag Limits in Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania, Australia, also has regulations in place for recreational sea urchin fishing. While the specific bag limits are not mentioned in the provided search results, the general information states that size, bag, and possession limits exist for recreational fish, including sea urchins.
Sea Urchin Bag Limits in California, USA
In California, USA, the Fish and Game Commission adopted an emergency regulation in February 2020 to temporarily remove the recreational bag limit for purple sea urchins taken by hand and handheld tools inside Caspar Cove, Mendocino County. This regulation was designed to assess the effectiveness of in-water purple urchin culling by recreational divers as a potential kelp restoration tool. In December 2020, the Commission adopted a Certificate of Compliance to continue the exemption on the recreational bag limit for sea urchins at Caspar Cove and add Tanker Reef in Monterey County.
Sea Urchin Bag Limits in South Australia
South Australia has specific regulations for recreational sea urchin fishing. The personal daily bag limit is 20 sea urchins, and the daily boat limit varies depending on the number of people on board:
- 20 per day if taken by 1 person
- 40 per day if taken by 2 people
- 60 per day if taken by 3 or more people
It’s important to note that these regulations are subject to change and may vary depending on the specific location and time of year. Recreational fishers should always check with the local authorities or consult the relevant fishing guides to ensure they are aware of the most up-to-date regulations in their area.
In conclusion, the number of sea urchins that recreational fishers can legally take varies significantly depending on their location. While some regions have a strict bag limit of 10 or 20 urchins, others may have a higher limit or even an exemption in certain areas. It’s crucial for fishers to familiarize themselves with the regulations in their specific region to ensure they are complying with the law and contributing to the sustainable management of sea urchin populations.