Lobster processing plant. (Photo: Stock File)

Southern Australia seeks to boost rock lobster fishery efficiency

AUSTRALIA
Friday, October 19, 2018, 02:10 (GMT + 9)

South Australia Government has joined efforts with the rock lobster industry to help it reduce business costs and deliver environmental benefits to the state.

To this end, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) is leading a four-year trial of alternative rock lobster pot designs in collaboration with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

In this regard, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said researchers commenced trialing two new pot designs in the southern rock lobster fishery when it opened in early October.

"Scientists are testing two new rock lobster pot designs in the commercial sector to assess whether industry can use them to catch their annual quota of rock lobster more efficiently," said Minister Whetstone.

The minister stressed the importance these Southern Australia Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors have to the regional communities they support and so he highlighted that the State Government is keen to encourage industry sectors to improve their operations by utilising new technology.

"In 2016–17, South Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors produced about 67,000 tonnes of seafood, generating revenue of AUD 908 million (USD 647 million),” Whetstone stressed.

SARDI Senior Research Scientist Dr Lachlan McLeay said the launch of the new pot designs would build on the success of trials in the northern zone rock lobster fishery.

"We began our research with the industry in the 2015-16 season with five new pot designs but our trials have narrowed down to two pots which could be capable of delivering results," said McLeay.

Northern zone commercial rock lobster fishers will also get the chance to trial the new ‘Deckhand’ phone app to report their catch electronically when their season opens in November. The app was successfully used in the Southern Zone last season.

"The app allows fishers to provide real-time data about the fishery instead of previous paper-based system which had a two-month lag," said McLeay, who highlighted that feedback from industry on the app has been extremely positive.


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