Latin Name: Sagmariasus verreauxi
Weight: Generally 2.5-5 kg, but can exceed 15kg
Length: Measured by tail width – the minimum legal size for males is 84mm and 90mm for females, but can exceed 150mm.
Family: Packhorse rock lobster is a member of the Palinuridae family, commonly known as spiny lobsters. It is recognised by its smooth green-brown shell and broad body shape.
- Wild Caught
- Farmed
Location
Spiny rock lobster are found all around New Zealand’s rocky coastline and are also present along southern Australia from Victoria to Western Australia, as well as Tasmania.
Sustainability
The sustainability of this New Zealand fish stock is ensured through the world-leading Fisheries Act and Quota Management System (QMS). Packhorse rock lobster has been managed within the QMS since 1990 and is managed as a single fish stock, PHC 1. Find out what the QMS is and how it works.
Fishing Methods
Fishing Methods
Pots & Traps
Fishing Season
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JAN
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FEB
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MAR
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APR
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MAY
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JUN
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JUL
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AUG
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SEP
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OCT
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NOV
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DEC
Nutrition
Seafood is a highly nutritious food and is a great source of protein. Many species are low in saturated fat and a number of them are a good source of Omega 3.
Did you know?
Packhorse rock lobster is the largest lobster species found in New Zealand waters and can grow to more than twice the size of a typical spiny rock lobster.
To mitigate the illegal sale of packhorse, Licensed Fish Receivers ‘tag’ packhorse rock lobster with a white horn tag to substantiate it has been sourced legitimately. For more details, click here.
Cooking Tips
Packhorse rock lobster is prized for its rich flavour and meaty texture. The tail meat is particularly sought after and is excellent grilled on the barbecue, lightly steamed, or incorporated into pasta, salads and seafood platters.
To prepare a whole lobster, chill it in the freezer for at least an hour and then dispatch (i.e., chill then kill) before cooking.
Suitable for:
• Grilling
• Barbecuing
• Steaming
• Poaching
It is important that rock lobsters are dispatched humanely – please visit the MPI Guidelines to learn how.
