Picture: KATIE JACKSON
THE multi-million dollar commercial rock lobster industry has foreshadowed a buoyant season ahead as the benefits flow from the historic China-Australia free trade deal.
While rough seas prevented the Port MacDonnell fleet from leaving the harbour yesterday, crews are expected to be back on deck and pulling up lobsters over the weekend.
Although the normally bustling Port MacDonnell harbour slowed to a standstill yesterday, a number of boats ventured out to sea at Robe, Beachport and Southend.
Beach prices have peaked at a robust $120 per kilogram in the first week of the new season, which is just $3 off the highest price ever recorded.
The price slipped back to around $110 per kilogram yesterday.
Five Star Seafoods factory manager Tom Ryan – who is based at Port MacDonnell – said he was impressed with the prices for the opening week.
“We were definitely hopeful for big numbers this season as last year was not our best,” Mr Ryan said.
“But in previous years we have had pretty solid numbers throughout the whole season, so I was expecting something similar this year.
“Catch rates had not been super high in other regions, which meant the demand was definitely there.”
Although catch rates in other regions were down, Mr Ryan said the southern zone had seen varying rates.
“We have had some fishermen this week with bumper catches and others having a shocking start,” he revealed.
“Some just are not having a lot of luck at the moment, but we are hopeful things will only build from here.”
Deckhand David Vandepeer said he had already seen a rise in under-sized lobsters, which was a good sign for the sustainability of the fishery.
“We have been seeing a lot of under-size and spawny lobsters in our catch already,” Mr Vandepeer said at Port MacDonnell yesterday.
“Although we obviously cannot bring them in, it does mean our stock is rebuilding.
“The future of the catchment is looking very promising.”
The benefits of the recent free trade agreement with China have begun to trickle through with Mr Ryan stating it had been a promising start for the industry.
“Being able to directly import to China has helped us a lot as there is obviously a high demand for lobster there,” he said.
“It is a lot easier for us now, but there are still limited flights to actually get them there.
“Hopefully that will improve and the industry can continue building as it has been.”
