Cape Town’s favourite summer ritual – early starts, cold water, and the mouthwatering smell of kreef on the braai – is back.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has announced that fishing for recreational West Coast rock lobster will be open for (just) 12 days over the 2025/26 season.
Crayfishing dates for 2025/26
According to the regulations published on 25 November, you may catch crayfish on the following days only:
- December 2025: 20, 21, 27 & 28
- January 2026: 3, 4, 24, 25 & 31
- February 2026: 1
- March 2026: 21 & 22
On all open days, fishing is allowed from 8am to 4pm, and your crayfish must be landed (out the water and onshore) by 4pm.
No permit, no crayfish
As in previous years, to fish for kreef you must have a valid recreational West Coast rock lobster permit. These can be purchased from selected South African Post Office branches, but it’s easier to get one online via the official online portal at fishing.dffe.gov.za.
Permits are valid for the entire crayfish season (not per day), and are only valid for people 12 years and older can get a permit.
And no, you can’t turn your haul into a side hustle: any crayfish caught on a recreational permit may not be sold. Your catch is strictly for your own pot (or braai).
Bag limits, sizes and gear
Whether you're a salty sea dog or new to the crayfishing game, don’t forget:
- The daily bag limit is four crayfish per person per day.
- The minimum size remains at 80 mm carapace length, measured along the shell. All undersized lobsters must go straight back in the water.
- A maximum of 20 crayfish are allowed per vehicle/boat per day, and everyone whose catch is on board must be present with their own permits.
- Crayfish must be kept whole, and females ‘in berry’ (with eggs) must be released immediately.
- Fishing can only be done using traditional recreational methods: ring or scoop nets, or free-diving with a snorkel. Traps, spearguns or using scuba are prohibited.
If you’re planning a festive-season crayfish mission, mark those dates, sort your permit, and stick to the small print. That way, this much-loved summer tradition (and the species) has a fighting chance of sticking around.
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