A total of 4613 rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) were tagged and released between 1975 and 1978 in 4 areas along the east coast of the North Island near Gisborne. Of the 2131 returns to 31 May 1980, only 65 (3.1%) moved long distances (at least 5 km) from the release sites; the remainder were recovered within 5 km of the release sites. There was no apparent directionality to the movements, with the exception of animals tagged in one of the areas, and no large‐scale migrations were observed.