ROCK lobster fishermen in the South East have enjoyed one of the best starts to the fishing season in years, with favourable weather and high catch-rates.
While the price paid for lobster has dropped as low as $54 at times, the supply has been in abundance, with 560 tonnes of lobster caught by the end of November compared with 380 tonnes at the same time last year.
Port MacDonnell Professional Fisherman’s Association president Roger Cutting said good weather had been the main difference between 2017 and last year.
“Last year in October our fishermen only fished around 20 out of the 30 days and there was a lot of octopus damage, so the catch was down to start the season,” Mr Cutting said.
“This year we have been lucky, boats were able to get out probably 25 to 28 days of October and the octopus damage was pretty much non-existent.”
Prices paid for lobster have always been volatile and Mr Cutting said this season had been no different.
“It got as low as $54 but now it is up around $73, which is probably around $12 down across the board compared to last year,” he said.
“That price is acceptable, it is not good when it comes down to $54, but there is nothing stopping you from stopping fishing and then going back out around January or February when the price is back up again.”
Five Star Seafoods company spokesperson William Ferguson said the price fluctuations can be driven by supply and demand.
“Why the price changes can be a bit of an unknown, but one factor is the over-supply due to the high catch-rate so far this season,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It is a supply and demand market and our fishermen have had a ripper start to the season, so the supply is up compared to last year.”
Mr Ferguson said the price usually rises around this time of year with the demand for rock lobster increasing during the festive season.
“From December to February, we obviously have Christmas and then people tend to get married, so we can often see a price increase,” he said.
South Eastern Professional Fishermen’s Association executive officer Nathan Kimber was happy with the start of the season and hopeful that catches continue to remain strong.
“Demand for the product remains relatively strong, which drives the price and subsequently contributes to the economy of the Limestone Coast,” Mr Kimber said.
“The industry generates around $300m in economic activity for the state each year, much of which directly supports the regional and coastal communities in the South East and Limestone Coast.”
