ALTHOUGH the Rock Lobster annual fishing season officially wraps up tonight, there has been little hustle and bustle along the region’s ports for months.
It follows a bumper season in the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery which saw the region’s fishing fleet reach its commercial quota of 1245 tonnes before the end of March.
According to South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council executive officer Nathan Kimber, the bulk of the catch was taken from October through to the end of January.
A near-record price of $119 per kilogram was achieved by lobster fishers when their boats returned to shore in early October, a figure which delighted the region’s 180 licence holders as it was within striking distance of the all-time high of $120 achieved a few seasons ago.
“The demand for our product has been strong for some time now and this season was no exception,” Mr Kimber said.
“The demand drives the price, which in turn contributes to the economies of the Limestone Coast.
“The catch rate has increased by approximately 20pc from the previous season suggesting improved numbers of lobsters.”
Mr Kimber said the weather this season was particularly “favourable” early in the season.
“This resulted in higher than average number of days fished in October,” he said.
“The improving trend in the catch rate of legal and undersize lobster seen in the last two seasons, suggests the coming season should be a positive one.
“It would be fair to to say most fisherman had an efficient season due to the improved catch rates which would result in a reduction of fishing effort.”
Mr Kimber said the southern zone was a valuable asset to South Australia.
“It generates around $100m in Gross Value of Production and around 1200 full time equivalent jobs for South Australia,” he said.
“The majority of which directly supports the towns and coastal communities of the Limestone Coast.”
The annual closure – which starts at 6pm tonight – bans all recreational Rock Lobster fishing activity in South Australian waters and will stay in place until October 1.
