Queensland is set to become a world leader in lobster aquaculture with the establishment of a major partnership in tropical rock lobster research and breeding between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and Lobster Harvest Pty Ltd.
The partnership will see Lobster Harvest's tropical rock lobster propagation program move from Exmouth in Western Australia, to DPI&F's Northern Fisheries' Centre in Cairns, enhancing DPI&F's significant research and development (R&D) in aquaculture.
The collaboration and co-location of researchers from both organisations represents a significant exchange of knowledge and skills in lobster aquaculture.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the collaborators would work together to become world leaders in commercially viable hatchery technologies.
"The partnership with Lobster Harvest will support our larval-rearing capabilities by increasing our skills base and resources, which will improve the survival rates and growth of the larval lobsters.
"The ultimate goal is developing a commercial lobster hatchery."
The MG Kailis Group first produced tropical rock lobster juveniles in June 2006 at its research facility in Exmouth, becoming the first organisation in the world to do so.
This successful propagation was replicated in 2007 and 2008 with the earlier juveniles being grown-out to adult lobsters.
In 2007 Lobster Harvest was formed and all rights to the propagation technology were transferred to the new company. MG Kailis remains a major shareholder in Lobster Harvest.
Mr Mulherin said a lobster hatchery was likely to be established near Cairns or elsewhere along the Queensland coast to supply small lobsters to a broader grow-out sector, which might include farms in the Torres Strait.
"The new industry could also attract considerable overseas investment and position Queensland to be a world centre of excellence in tropical rock-lobster aquaculture," he said.
