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Fishermen hope for good lobster season

Posted on September 30, 2008, 2:02pm and updated on October 1, 2008 at 9:21 am

Port MacDonnell is a hive of activity as the largest rock lobster port in southern Australia gears up for the opening of the 2008-09 season on Wednesday.

While hopes are high of a buoyant season ahead, fishermen — who were busy fine tuning their vessels and stocking their boats with pots — conceded they were nervous about the season ahead which starts on Wednesday morning at 6am.

Last season was one many would like to forget following poor weather, plummeting catch rates and the lowest number of juveniles in the fishery in recorded history.

Considered to be one of the world’s best lobster fisheries, the southern zone generates more than $191m for the local economy and about 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

As a move to safeguard the valuable export sector, the State Government — along with industry support — dropped the Total Allowable Catch this season by 130 tonnes.

Speaking at the port yesterday, veteran fisher Mark Moody said he was hopeful of a good season.

“The cut in the quota shouldn’t matter because there will be less lobster around which might drive up the price,” said Mr Moody, who has been fishing for 42 years.

He also hoped for better weather conditions to trigger higher catch rates.

Mr Moody said colder water temperatures last season were believed partly responsible for the decline in catch rates.

Meanwhile, lobster buyer Robert Bald predicted fishermen would rush to get a good start, following last year’s lower catches.

“They will all be out to go following the lost income from last year,” said Mr Bald, who buys lobsters on behalf Stanke Ociana at Carpenter Rocks.

“There is a lot riding on this year.”

He said the prices paid to fishermen would depend on what “the Chinese were willing to pay”, which was the sector’s largest market.

Veteran Port MacDonnell professional fisher Dennis Buckingham was also looking forward to a good season.

“I hope it will be better than last season. The catches were down, but the prices were good,” Mr Buckingham said.

Fellow fishermen Paul Feast echoed similar sentiments.

“I hope we get better weather, better catch rates and we meet our quota,” Mr Feast said.

South East Professional Fishermen’s Association president Joel Redman said yesterday hopes were high for a good start to the season.

“Time will tell how the season will go, but weather will play a big part in it,” Mr Redman said.

He said lobsters needed settled weather to move around the sea floor, which was vital for good catch rates.

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