A rocky road for the Rock Lobster Industry
Usually, catch quotas for the rock lobster are determined 4 years prior to to the fishing season. This is completed by measuring puerulus settlement (juvenile stage of development). Out of this catch, up to 95% of the rock lobsters caught in WA are exported to China. In January this year, exports were halted due to the COVID-19 virus. Since February, the industry has slowly increased exports. However, the prices remain low and continue to affect the valuable Australian fishery. Photo: ABC News: Robert Koenig-Luck The low prices for lobster have dramatically impacted Australian fishers. The low price of lobster has increased stress for fishermen as now they must catch more stock to deliver the same returns. To deal with the stressors of COVID-19, the Australian Government has revised the regulations for fisheries and commercial fishing licenses. Yesterday, news broke that seafood lovers could soon be enjoying $20 crayfish after the [...]