FishVictoria.com - Intertidal Habitat

The intertidal zone is an important link in marine ecosystems. All organisms, both plant and animal, form part of the aquatic food chain. Plants provide habitat and food for a variety of species including fish. Empty shells are important in providing habitat for other animals.

Removal of any species alive or dead from this zone may seem harmless, but it represents a loss of food for other species, and is therefore restricted or prohibited in some areas.

Restrictions on Intertidal Collecting
Intertidal collecting is not allowed in any marine national park or marine sanctuary.

Central Victorian Coast*
There are restrictions on the taking of molluscs (shellfish) from the intertidal zone on the open coast from the eastern side of the mouth of Thompsons Creek at Breamlea to Arch Rock at Venus Bay including the intertidal zone in Western Port. In this zone you may take Bass yabby, crab, sandworm, pipi, rock lobster, sand fleas, squirter, squid, octopus, cuttlefish and dead shells by approved methods only (see Collection Methods), but collection of all other molluscs species is prohibited. Size and catch limits may apply to some species, see Crustaceans and Molluscs.

Port Phillip*
You may collect only marine worms and Bass yabbies and only with an approved hand held bait pump from the intertidal zone of Port Phillip. Catch limits apply to marine worms, see Crustaceans and Molluscs. All other invertebrates are protected.

*Special conditions may apply in Marine Parks, National, State or Coastal Parks and Fisheries Reserves.