Tristan da Cunha lobster: Expressions of interest invited to fish quota

“Tristan lobster has an outstanding reputation as a high-quality product, from one of the most pristine marine areas on the planet. Exceptional provenance is essential to consumers of high quality, MSC certified, sustainable lobster. The restaurants and retailers that supply consumers, value Tristan Lobster as a reliable, long-term supplier, which enables them to invest in establishing and continuing to support this premium lobster product,” Administrator Phillip Kendall said.

Fishery Director James Glass, Director of Fishery added: “As a British Overseas Territory, we are proud of the sustainable way the fishery has been scientifically managed, which means we have a proven, stable quota of approximately 440 tonnes per annum, across all four islands. In addition, with the support of the UK government, we have improved the monitoring and enforcement of our EEZ.”

Tristan da Cunha is entering a new phase in its development and needs to ensure it responsibly utilise its fishery to support this. Under current arrangements, the operator fishes the quota, operates the factory on Tristan, generates electricity for the island and with their blue water fishing vessels, provides cargo and passenger access to the island from Cape Town. These arrangements have reliably operated for many years.

However, the Island Council is interested to see what arrangements, including suitable alternatives might be possible over the next 5-10 years. Therefore, the Island Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from well-established fishing companies, with high quality vessel operations, producing responsibly caught products, in processes that are sustainable, protect the environment and safe.

Interested companies, should email concession@tristan-lobster.com by close of business on 31 March 2024, with information including:

Brief history of company, including country and year of registration and current operations

• Details of current vessels operated, including flag and class details
• Certification details
• Envisaged base of operations and potential operational overview
• Preferred commercial approach i.e. fishing quota only; operation of factory; provision of shipping and passenger services on vessel (more than one approach can be indicated)

Tristan Rock Lobster (Jasus tristani) is found in and around all of the Tristan islands and is marketed as “Tristan Lobster”. The quota for the island of Tristan da Cunha is caught by small inshore open boats operating from Tristan and processed in the onshore EU-approved factory, into three main products: lobster tails, whole raw and whole cooked lobster.

Lobster from the three outer islands Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough are caught by ocean going fishing vessels that use daughter craft. Products are sold worldwide, including to the UK, European Union, Japan and the United States.