Notice of safety direction: No. 02 of 2026

Thursday 18 June 2026

Section 67A of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993

These lifejacket requirements will come into effect in line with the rock lobster season starting from 1 October 2026.
Read more about rock lobster season restrictions.

Lifejackets (level 100 or above) must be worn when engaging in rock lobster fishing activities

No vessel shall be operated or moored anywhere within the Specified Area of the State when occupants of the vessel are engaged in lifting, Hauling, or otherwise using or handling any Southern rock lobster (also commonly referred to as crayfish) traps or pots, or when these traps or pots are carried on board the vessel, unless each occupant of the vessel is wearing a lifejacket that is a minimum level 100 or above at all times.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Notice the following terms are defined as follows:

'Domestic Commercial Vessel' has the same meaning as provided in the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law.
'Hauling' means the act of retrieving a rock lobster fishing pot (trap) from the seabed to the surface, using manual effo11 or mechanical assistance, for the purpose of inspecting, emptying, re-baiting, maintaining, or resetting the pot.
'Inland Waters' means navigable waterways or bodies of water in the State excluding any waters within the ebb and flow of the tide, as provided in the Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2023.
'Specified Area' means all waters off the coast of South Australia including all waters over adjacent and subjacent land within the jurisdiction other than inland waters.
'Notice' means this Notice of Safety Direction.
'Vessel' includes canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats or other human-powered vessels or aquatic toys.

Where a term that is defined in the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 or Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2023 is used in this Notice, the definition from the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 or Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2023 will also apply to this Notice unless expressly stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise.

Operations and Conditions

This Notice is subject to the following conditions:

All Domestic Commercial Vessels are excluded from the operation of this Notice.
This Notice is in operation for 12 months from the date of gazettal or until varied or revoked by a subsequent Notice of Safety Direction.
All other provisions of the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 and Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2023 will continue to apply.

Issued by

Hon. Joseph Karl Szakacs MP

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport