WA fishermen can sell up to 100 lobsters a day from back of boats to help industry recover from COVID-19

West Australians will have better access to ultra-fresh locally caught lobsters with amended laws allowing fishermen to sell up to 100 per trip directly to the public and hospitality sector. Following a change in legislation by the McGowan Government, West Australians will be able to buy lobsters for about $20 each - cheaper than the wholesale price - directly from fishermen. The ability for fishermen to sell lobsters from the back of their boats to restaurants, fresh fish retailers and the public was one of several changes sought by the Western Rock Lobster Council in response to plummeting Chinese demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, about 95 per cent of lobsters in the $500 million-a-year industry were exported to China, but demand collapsed just before the peak sales time of Chinese New Year in February, amid fallout from the virus. Although there has been some recovery since as China’s restaurants reopened, the weaker demand means prices are still weak. Back-of-boat sales was part of a broader rescue plan announced by the McGowan Government in March to support the industry. Other changes include extending the current quota-based season to 18 months, bringing forward a proportion of the 2021 season quota and introducing new measures to minimise the likelihood of whale interactions. Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley said boosting the local lobster supply not only helps keep commercial fishers on the water but means more lobsters available for local consumption. WRLC chief executive Matt Taylor said the live BOB lobsters would be landed, and weighed in sealed and tagged containers, with fishers being able to sell the lobster 10 minutes after the weight is reported. In WA, the lobsters can be collected from fishermen anywhere that the fishing boats dock, as far south as Busselton and Bunbury, in Perth including Fremantle and Mindarie, and Two Rocks all up the coast to Kalbarri. They can also be sold from any other location including the fisher’s residence. Mr Taylor said he encouraged consumers to pre-order with fisherman through the program’s email address or Facebook page and then continue that fisher relationship for future purchases. James Camarda, who works on the family boat with family member and WRLC deputy chairman Fedele Camarda said it was positive to get the community more involved with local fishermen, rather than going through a middle man. “It’s more like the old days – and it’s good to get people enjoying local produce,” he said.