Minister moves to protect Big Bank lobster breeding stock.
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore today announced the closure for the current season of the
Big Bank rock lobster fishery north of Kalbarri, following advice from the Rock Lobster Industry
Advisory Committee.
“It gives me no pleasure to take this step but it is an action we have to take if we are going to
protect Western Australia’s important rock lobster industry,” Mr Moore said.
“I am forced into this position because ongoing monitoring and assessment show the fishery is
under rapidly-increasing pressure.
“In response to low puerulus (juvenile lobster) settlement last year, the level of effort permitted
in the fishery was significantly reduced for the 2008-09 season.
“That was one of the first decisions I made after being sworn in as Fisheries Minister and I took
that action as an urgent precautionary measure to protect the fishery.
“Settlement figures through to January 2009 confirm that the puerulus count in 2008-09
remains the lowest on record.
“As a further precautionary measure, I have decided that the Big Bank area of the fishery,
which was due to open on February 10, will stay closed this season.
“Available information suggests the condition of breeding stock at Big Bank is extremely poor,
which could potentially be a factor behind the low puerulus settlement on the west coast.
“The closure of the fishery is intended to allow breeding stock in the Big Bank area to recover
by protecting resident lobsters and animals that migrate into the area.”
The Minister said the Department of Fisheries was investigating the cause of this year’s low
puerulus settlement and was researching if breeding stock levels, environmental factors, or
both, had led to the current situation.
“I have also reviewed this season’s catches so far and am concerned that the earlier changes I
introduced for the 2008-09 season, including today’s announcement of the Big Bank closure,
may not limit the total catch to 7,800 tonnes,” he said.
“If this proves to be the case, then I will have to consider the need for additional measures this
season.”