The smallest size at which at least 50% of femaleJasus verreauxibore eggs during the egg‐bearing season (= size at onset of breeding) was ≥ 160 mm carapace length (CL) (range 160–184 mm CL). This was usually at least 10 mm CL greater than the size at which setae first developed on the endopodites of the pleopods, and amounts to at least a 2‐year age difference. An increase in the minimum legal size to at least 160 mm CL is necessary if it is considered desirable that most females be allowed to breed before becoming available to the fishery.