LIMESTONE Coast professional lobster operators are enjoying all-time high catch rates and good prices according to a prominent exporter.
Robe’s Sky Seafoods proprietor Andrew Lawrie said some fishers had already caught around half their quota in the opening month of the season which started on October 1.
“This is unheard of,” he said.
Mr Lawrie’s company also sells lobsters to the domestic market and the price in Robe on Saturday was $95 per kilogram.
“All the Robe boats went out (Saturday).
“There were two who stayed in port but that was due to reasons not related to fishing.
“The high catch rates can lead to an over-supply and lower prices.
“We did have a three-day blow in October (when there was no fishing) and the price then came back strong.
“The Chinese export market has settled down.
“There is now less confusion over pricing and marketing techniques.”
The Sky Seafoods founder is well-qualified to comment on the industry with over 33 years in business.
The Limestone Coast Fishermen’s Cooperative was established in 2018 but did not secure a Chinese export licence until earlier this year.
Its refrigerated trucks with distinctive slogans are now seen at wharves along the coast.
There are 180 licences and almost 12,000 registered professional pots in the Southern Zone, with the 2019/20 season to end on May 31.
The highest price paid so far this season along the South East coast has been $105 per kilogram.
The 2019/20 quota was set at 1290 tonnes by Fisheries Minister Tim Whetstone and this figure has not changed for several seasons.
