In May 2024, we asked recreational and commercial rock lobster fishers what they want the future of the rock lobster fishery to look like, to help inform the development of the Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy.
The Department held face-to-face workshops with 20 recreational fishers and separate workshops with 45 commercial fishers. Fishers who were unable to attend workshops were given the opportunity to complete a survey which had over 151 responses from recreational fishers, and 32 responses from commercial fishers.
Here’s what you told us.
From the workshops
The majority of recreational and commercial fishers said they were happy with current catch rates.
Commercial fishers value the rock lobster fishery because:- it provides returns to regional towns and communities through local knowledge and employment,
- work can be transient, nomadic and flexible, and
- fishers are proud to be improving the health of the stock.
Recreational rock lobster fishers value the rock lobster fishery because:- they enjoy being outside and enjoying nature,
- they like catching lobster, and
- there are positive mental health benefits.
Other important feedback included:- Recreational fishers want the fishery managed to a high biomass level (e.g., a limit reference point of 20% unfished biomass and a target reference point around 40-50% unfished biomass).
- Recreational fishers value a range of age and size classes and knowing that the stock is well managed and sustainable.
- Commercial fishers raised concerns about the future of the rock lobster industry with decreasing number of vessels, difficulty attracting and retaining trained deckhands and reduced access to quota.
From the surveys
Recreational
Through the survey, recreational fishers also told us that equitable access to the fishery and better compliance and enforcement of rules was important.
Commercial
Through the survey commercial fishers also told us that in most parts of the State, catch rates are the best they have seen. However, commercial fishers noted that the current catch caps effect their commercial viability.
Respondents also said that catch rates are decreasing in the South-East of the State, and reported that they've observed high commercial and recreational effort in that area.
How have we used this information?
Fisher feedback was provided to the Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy Working Group (which includes representatives from all sectors).
The Working Group then used fishers answers to inform draft objectives and reference points (e.g. biomass targets and limits) for the rock lobster fishery. These objectives and reference points will form part of the Draft Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy and Rock Lobster Background and Management document which will be released for wider public consultation in 2025.