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Lobster catch the worst in memory

Posted on November 11, 2008, 6:06pm and updated on November 13, 2008 at 10:06 am

Port MacDonnell veteran fishing leaders have described the opening of the region’s multi-million-dollar lobster industry as the worst in living memory, following catches plummeting to record low levels.

While catches have fallen by more than 40pc, the prices paid to professional fishermen this week have soared to more than $101 per kilogram at some ports.

People hoping to buy a lobster for the Christmas table are facing prices of up to $120 per kilogram, making the delicacy out of reach for the average consumer.

The southern zone lobster fishery generates more than $100m each year for the Limestone Coast and creates hundreds of jobs, particularly along the coastal townships.

Port MacDonnell Professional Fishermen’s Association president John Ashby said the shortage of lobsters was driving the price up to levels never seen or even imagined.

“The fishery will be in huge trouble if these catches continue, particularly if the prices fall,” Mr Ashby said.

If the prices fell significantly, he argued some fishermen might weigh up the viability of heading out to sea because of the cost of wages, fuel and bait.

“Some fishermen might only be bringing in 10 – 70 kilograms per day, whereas in a good year it was not uncommon to hear of fisherman hauling in 100-150kg per day,” Mr Ashby said.

During his 40-plus year association with the fishery, Mr Ashby said he never imagined prices could skyrocket to $100 per kilogram.

If the downward spiral continued and prices started to drop significantly, he warned the fishery could be facing a “disaster”.

Fisheries Minister and Member for Mount Gambier Rory McEwen conceded yesterday the start of the season was a concern for the industry.

“There is no denying it is heading in the wrong direction, but the trends have yet to set off the trigger points in the management plan,” Mr McEwen said.

If the trends continued to fall, he claimed a delicate balance would have to be struck to not only protect the fishery itself, but fishing businesses.

Mr McEwen said the industry’s decision to cut the Total Allowable Catch for this season was a voluntary move to try and protect the fishery.

He said the fishermen would now have to make business decisions reflecting the season’s trends.

Meanwhile, Lionel Carrison also claimed it was the worst start of the season he had ever witnessed, since he began fishing in the 1950s.

“The catch is back by about half on last year and fishermen are putting in a lot more effort at sea,” Mr Carrison said.

“This year has been terrible. On the odd day it has picked up, but the whole industry is hoping it will turnaround.”

But Mr Carrison said it was important to be optimistic about the industry, which was a vital sector for the regional economy.

However, he said the worrying aspect of the record-high prices was that it might trigger buyer resistance which meant the market could fall over.

Mr Carrison said the opening of lobster fisheries in Victoria and Tasmania this month might also cause the price to fall.

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