- WA's sustainable fisheries celebrated on World Fisheries Day
- Western Rock Lobster major contributor to WA economy, and Back of Boat program supports local supply
- Cook Government committed to supporting economic development and job creation
Western Australia's sustainable fisheries are being recognised on World Fisheries Day to highlight the importance of management to keep fish stocks at healthy levels.
Nine of the State's fisheries currently have independent sustainability certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) demonstrating WA's global leadership in fisheries management, underpinned by world-class science.
The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery was the first in the world to receive MSC certification and was successfully recertified for the fifth time in 2022.
In the 2023-2024 season, the fishery's contribution to the WA economy was valued at $546 million.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's science and research programs support the sustainable management of rock lobster fishing and the fishery's ongoing MSC certification.
The annual scientific stock assessment showed stocks remain at sustainable levels, ensuring there will be a continual supply of lobster for export and local markets.
A popular year-round local market is the Back of Boat lobster program, which started in 2020.
Through the program, the public can purchase freshly caught rock lobster directly from commercial fishers at the jetty.
Back of Boat significantly boosts local supply over summer, when lobsters are a key feature on festive table spreads.
More than 300,000 lobsters have been landed through the program since it started, with more than 25,000 sold from the back of boats in the lead-up to Christmas last year.
This year, Western Rock Lobster's Back of Boat lobster special sale day for Christmas is being held on Tuesday 23 December at ports throughout the State.
More information on locations and pre-ordering will be available closer to the date by visiting https://backofboat.com/
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Today on World Fisheries Day we are celebrating our State's world-class West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery which is a global leader in effective fisheries management.
"Thanks to the sustainable management of the fishery, Western Australians are able to enjoy this fishery recreationally and it can supply freshly caught lobster for export and direct to locals through Back of Boat sales.
"WA has a number of other fisheries showing great stewardship and carrying the blue MSC eco tick including West Coast Deep Sea Crab, Enhanced Abalone, Shark Bay Prawn, Exmouth Gulf Prawn, Abrolhos Islands and Midwest Trawl, Pearl Oyster, Octopus and Sea Cucumber."
