“Lobster on a Barbie” was the catch cry from Minister for Fisheries, Hon Don Punch MLA at the conclusion of Tuesdays announcement in Fremantle regarding the doubling of the landing limit for Back of Boat (BoB) lobsters.
Last year with market access closing in China, the Western Rock Lobster industry needed to adapt and West Aussies were the clear winners with the development of the BoB system allowing sales of up to 100 live lobsters daily per boat to the public and hospitality industry who have thoroughly embraced the fresh, live purchase option.
At around $45 per kilo or $20 per lobster buying from BoB has made the Western Rock Lobster an affordable year round dinner table option. A total of 90,000 lobsters have now been sold from the Back of Boats with the leading locations being Fremantle, Lancelin and Dongara. However WRL CEO Matt Taylor said that the industry is promoting BoB sales in 19 locations from Kalbarri down to Fremantle.
In the announcement on Tuesday BoB regulations have received a welcome change in time for summer with the Minister confirming that the state government has approved a request from the industry to increase daily quotas to 200 per boat and over the peak period of December boats can sell up to 400 per day.
He noted that “It is a great market opportunity for the industry and a great opportunity for consumers to get the freshest West Australian seafood. It (WRL) is a unique product, certified as sustainable by Sustainable Fisheries of Western Australia and a great opportunity to come down and sample what is a great product.”
This news means that Western Rock Lobsters will be in abundance this Christmas so whether you like to have yours cooked a la Thermidor, Mornay, in a roll or served as ceviche the possibilities are endless and you can ensure the freshness, quality and value that buying from BoB offers.
Here at Ready 4 Adventure we will take the minister’s advice and throw our lobsters straight onto the Barbie and drizzle them with a simple lemon and parsley dressing accompanied with a green salad and chips!
For more information on BoB Lobster sale locations head to the directory https://www.westernrocklobster.org/boat-directory/
Or go to the Facebook page www.facebook.com/BackofBoatLobsters where you can connect directly with local fishers.
