World News – AU – Lots of lobster for Australia’s Christmas tables while China isn’t taking them

Southern lobsters will be seen on Christmas tables across Australia amid falling domestic prices fueled by the nation’s growing trade tensions with China.

Commercial fishermen in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia are supplying the domestic market with record levels after China banned imports of Australian live lobsters.

With crustaceans removed from restaurants and markets in China, seafood processors and commercial fishermen hope that the domestic market will provide a vital lifeline to the troubled sector.

Some commercial fishermen are now selling the world-famous delicacy on regional wharves for $ 30 to $ 50 per kilogram.

The Tasmanian professional fisherman Jason Hart sold his catch to the public this week right on the Strahan wharf.

« Even if our markets were bad, you can still sell the fish. But I’ve never seen it that way and I’m a third generation.

Mr Hart said while prices fluctuated it still cost him $ 30 / kg just to run the boat.

« So if we get down to $ 30 we’re just catching them for fun. Even at $ 40 we’re just catching it for fun, « he said.

As the industry seeks new markets during the unprecedented export crisis, South Australian exporter Andrew Ferguson has signed a major contract to supply an Australian supermarket chain with the popular seafood.

« We have partnered with Drakes and independent marketers to look into the distribution of frozen or freshly cooked lobster to the supermarket chain, » said Ferguson.

« It’s still early, they didn’t bring it to the store until Monday and we already had to send another lot. « 

« We’re looking at the local markets . . . but it is a difficult process. We have to move on from China and find other opportunities, « he said.

Due to the effects of the Chinese trade tensions, the largest lobster fleet in the southern hemisphere has stalled along the southeastern coast of South Australia.

« This is the biggest crisis I have experienced in the industry in the last 50 years. We don’t know what’s going to happen, « said Cutting.

He said only a handful of the 50+ merchant boats moored in Port MacDonnell harbor fished and supplied the domestic market.

He warned that after Christmas domestic demand would decline and more people would turn to more affordable seafood such as shrimp.

Mr. Cutting said the domestic market could not support the country’s commercial southern lobster sector.

He said the Chinese market is vital to the southern lobster industry given its massive population and « love of lobster ». .

The majority of commercial fishermen « sat around and twisted their thumbs » waiting for news from China, he said.

« India has a population of 1. 4 billion, but they don’t love lobsters. They prefer plain fish. « 

Commercial operator Kerry Tatnell, who fished on Tasmania’s west coast but sold at Margate Wharf south of Hobart, said selling direct to customers was « not the best result for the industry ». .

As trade and political tensions ease, speculation is stirring up about what is really going on between the two nations – and what is next on a Chinese « hit list » for sanctions. .

« I think we need to take care of our own people first rather than the overseas markets. There would probably be a bigger market here if the price was right for our Australian, local and domestic markets, « said Tatnell.

« That’s all we’re doing to break even. We have to keep working just to try to repay our quota and running costs and to pay our skippers and crew, « said Tatnell.

« We will probably be selling a certain amount of fish to the public here. Without the public, the whole cray industry would collapse now. « 

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