As of October 15, the much-anticipated rock lobster season opens throughout Western Australia, with the iconic Western Rock Lobster being one of the prize catches in WA.
General consensus among lobster fishers was that the past season was another extremely productive one, highlighting just how well this fishery is managed and can only mean good things for the upcoming season.
Catch rates were not the only numbers breaking records last season, as the number of recreational rock lobster licence holders rose dramatically to over 52,000 licences.
In more good news, lobster fishers now have the option of removing lobster tails after they get their catch home. Previously, the law required lobsters to be kept and stored whole (with head and tail) unless they were being prepared for immediate consumption.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said lobster fishing is a uniquely Western Australia experience and we’re seeing more and more people getting involved, getting on the water and catching their own fresh seafood.
“Testament to how popular this activity is, it’s now common place to see scores of boats lined up at the boat ramp at dawn eager to get out before work for their slice of the action,” Dr Rowland said.
Recent juvenile lobster counts point towards a bumper season this year and if last season is anything to go by, we should see more people on the water having fun this summer catching this iconic WA species.
Learn all you need to know about fishing for lobster at: http://ilovefishing.com.au/2015/11/01/western-rock-lobster/
