Recent news report revealed that the Australian government is considering harsh rules for Western Australia’s rock lobster industry. It is said that the authority is going to limit the fishing of rock lobster. Currently the fishing of rock lobster is limited to five days a week. With the new regulations it is expected that the Western Australia’s rock lobster industry could face even tougher restrictions next season to protect the already depleted stocks.
It is explained that the State Government imposed a 30 percent pot reduction last season and limited fishing to five days a week after research showed lobster numbers were perilously low. The issue is so hot that the Western Rock Lobster Council is holding its biennale conference in Perth today to discuss issues affecting the fishery and the future of the industry. The council’s Dexter Davies says it is likely the issue of fishing restrictions will dominate the conference.
Davies informed that the departmental science that’s available now has been indicating that they could well be more severe next year. He added that in the conference the fishermen will be presented with a range of future management options for the fishery.
