Local lobsters for Western Australians available again for Christmas

  • McGowan Government once again makes available up to 23,400 lobsters for Western Australians this summer
  • Each commercial rock lobster boat can catch an extra 100 lobsters to sell locally
  • Special tags are used to identify lobsters landed for the Local Lobster Program 
  • The McGowan Government is giving each lobster fisher an opportunity to catch an additional 100 lobsters this summer through the Local Lobster Program to ensure more Western Australians have the opportunity to enjoy our premium seafood. 

    The Local Lobster Program enables Western Australians to purchase a lobster from the back of a fishing boat. Local lobster lovers can find information on where they can buy a tagged local lobster via the Local Lobster Program Buy & Sell Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LocalLobsterProgram/

    The Local Lobster Program will get underway this Sunday (December 1, 2019) in time for the festive season, and run until April 30, 2020.

    Under the rules of the program, commercial fishers may sell these tagged local lobsters to the public from the back of their boats, or to supply local fish retailers and restaurants or donate lobster to a registered charity.

    More information about the latest Local Lobster Program is available at https://www.fish.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly:

      

    “The program is one way of providing an opportunity for more Western Australians to access local lobsters and to celebrate our iconic seafood.

    “The McGowan Government has previously introduced a number of new rules to ensure the Local Lobster Program is more effective in providing lobsters to Western Australians.

    “The scientific advice is that WA’s rock lobster resource is in excellent shape and is able to sustain the increased catch required for the Local Lobster Program.

    “It’s ideal that these extra lobsters will be available to share with friends and family during the period where we celebrate Christmas, New Year, Australia Day and Easter.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.