FISHING in the region’s $300m lobster industry has stalled amid exports to China being halted due to the deadly coronavirus, with Southend and Beachport fishers among those waiting for the export market to revive.
Regional processors – reeling from the export lockdown – have told professional fishers to stay onshore given they could not offer a beach price for the seafood delicacy.
Third-generation Southend fisher Joel Redman said the industry had been told on the morning of January 23 factories did not want any lobsters.
Mr Redman said he was aware of the market situation.
“The Chinese Government put restraints on Lunar New Year celebrations due to the coronavirus,” Mr Redman said.
“It could be similar to the SARS virus back in 2004.
“There are now modern controls in place and hopefully the coronavirus will pass quickly.
“However, there is no end in sight.
“The coronavirus affects every state of Australia and there is no work for the factories.
“I expect a range of food exported from Australia to China will be affected and not just lobsters.”
Mr Redman said those Southern Zone fishers who had not yet caught their 2019/20 quota could be affected.
“I expect government departments and regulators will look at options if the coronavirus continues,” he said.
Beach prices for lobsters have plummeted from $105 per kilogram mid last week to zero as processors grapple with the emerging export crisis.
Dozens of boats were moored at other harbours across the Limestone Coast yesterday morning with fishers not heading out to sea.
The unfolding situation is considered a major blow for the industry given Chinese New Year celebrations – the most lucrative period for the sector – have been cancelled due to the coronavirus health emergency.
This comes as the world health authorities respond to the spread of the coronavirus, which has affected more than 2000 people across the globe.
While regional exporters have tonnes of lobster sitting in their tanks, regional fishers have landed the majority of the fishery’s total allowable catch.
It is understood there are only around 150 tonnes left to catch across the world renowned southern zone fishery.
Port MacDonnell Professional Fishermen’s Association president Roger Cutting said yesterday the industry had come to a standstill.
He revealed the hardest hit would be fishers who leased their quota and processors that had tonnes of fish in their tanks.
“Processors have told fishers not to go out because they cannot give a price – this is a big downturn and a concern for the industry,” he said.
Fortunately, he said fishers had managed to haul in the majority or all of their quota ahead of the crisis.
Robe’s Sky Seafoods spokesperson Andrew Lawrie said some buyers have stopped buying, while others are taking crayfish on assignment.
“This means fishermen do not get paid unless the lobster sells and they have to wear any mortalities in the tank,” he said.
“We all have stock just sitting in the tank with nowhere to go. Fishermen are not even bothering to leave the dock – there’s really no point.”
This comes as the Chinese government has shut a string of cities across the country in a bid to stop the virus’ spread.
Mr Lawrie said Chinese New Year celebrations should be one of the busiest times of the year for the Limestone Coast industry, but stakeholders had been left in the dark.
“It’s going to take at least a week to know the full extent of what is going on. Then it’s still more time before it’s rectified – we are all in the dark at the moment,” Mr Lawrie said.
