The Western Australian rock lobster fishery - the world’s first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fishery - is now the first fishery in the world to be certified as sustainable for a third time.
Australia’s most valuable single species fishery at an estimated value of $200m per year, the Western Australian rock lobster fishery was first certified back in 2000 and was recertified in 2006. This recertification has again demonstrated that the rock lobster stocks being targeted are healthy, fishing practices have minimal impact on the marine eco-system and overall the fishery is well managed.
The certification covers the 250 lobster vessels operating in the fishery, which were responsible for catching 5,500mt of western rock lobster in the 2010/2011, using baited pots and traps.
The fishery has strict requirements in place including seasonal closures, minimum size requirements and a ban on catching breeding females. Data on the fishery has been kept since the 1960s and enables fisheries scientists to predict catches accurately and ensure that controls are adequate to keep the fishery operating at sustainable levels. Commercial fishers, processors and the Western Australian government work closely together to preserve the fishery’s future.
