Inland Fisheries Service records show eight people have been charged with a total of 19  offences since 1998, while Tasmania Police records are believed to contain even more cases.

The most recent offences occurred in the 2014-15 financial year.

Giant freshwater lobsters are one of Northern Tasmania’s most intriguing native species.

The crustaceans are the largest freshwater invertebrates on earth and can grow to more than 80centimetres in length.

A ban on fishing the species was declared after overfishing and habitat loss saw numbers decline, but that has not deterred poachers.

Despite this, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment has confirmed that giant freshwater lobster numbers are on the rise.

‘‘Recent surveys of the species indicate that the proportion of larger, sexually mature animals in survey populations is steadily increasing, due to the absence of fishing pressure, which is improving the recovery of the species,’’ a spokesman said.

‘‘It is extremely difficult to estimate the number of mature individuals throughout the species’ range because of the cryptic nature of the animal and the inaccessibility of much of its habitat.’’

The department warned against poaching the animals.

Catching the species without a permit carries a maximum fine of $10,000.

‘‘The giant freshwater lobster is an iconic animal. It is the largest freshwater crayfish in the world, and is only found in rivers in the north of Tasmania. Like all wild creatures, it is a vital part of the ecosystem to which it belongs,’’ the spokesman said.