Publication Date

4-2005

Series Number

149

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

1 877098 64 7

ISSN

1035 - 4549

Abstract

Season 2001/2002 produced 8,983 tonnes, a far cry from last season’s catch of 11,300 t. The sharp decline in catch was most likely the result of unfavourable environmental conditions throughout much of the season. The catches by the three zones were 1,651 tonnes in zone A, 2,800 tonnes in zone B and 4,532 tonnes in zone C. The sharp decline in total catch on the previous season was also reflected in declining catches in the three zones. Nominal effort also declined slightly from 10.487 million pot lifts in 2000/2001 to 10.367 million pot lifts in 2001/2002. Following the very low catch of 2001/2002, the 2002/2003 season catch increased by 2,432 tonnes (21.3%) to 11,415 tonnes, with nominal effort falling slightly to 10.215 million pot lifts.

Three major regulations were introduced for the 2001/2002 season. Firstly, the process of “unitizing” the managed fishery licence was necessary to provide a scheme of entitlements consistent with the Fish Resources Management Act 1994. Secondly, due to a BSE (‘mad cow’ disease) scare in Japan the use of any bovine material, animal skin or hide, or anything to which any mammal skin or hide is attached was prohibited as bait to ensure our Asian markets were protected. Thirdly, an adaptive management process saw the lifting of the prohibition on landing oversize, non-setose female lobsters for a single season during 2001/2002. This demonstrated some management flexibility and provided some additional catch in a forecast low catch season but with a predicted minimal impact on the very high level of egg production.

The economic outlook for 2001/2002 was bleak and despite terrorist activities and a very late start to the season, a record beach price average of $33.75 per kg was achieved. This in large part was due to a low catch and favourable exchange rates. Competition from Mexican live product was increasing and made a significant impact in 2002/2003. As a consequence, the production of high levels of tails and whole boiled resulted, but nevertheless, good prices were achieved.

Leasing of pots gained momentum and a “price war” between processors led to very high beach prices up to $36 per kg but the Australian dollar turned quickly against the US dollar and the beach price plummeted to $10-12 per kg mid way through the season. Although an average beach price of $24.45 was achieved, anecdotal evidence suggests that virtually all processors recorded a loss for the season.

The egg production in the southern region remained high and stable but in the northern fishery it continued to decline which resulted in an industry call for an options paper to examine ways of reducing fishing effort.

Number of Pages

60

Keywords

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Panulirus cygnus, fishing practice, catches, fishing effort, mean size

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy

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