Rock lobster fishers fears trade embargo after barley industry hit

Tasmania’s rock lobster industry fears it may be China’s next target in rising trade tensions after shipments were stranded at Chinese ports for extra import checks, as the state’s rock lobster season kicks off. LATEST + BAG LIMITS >>

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AUSTRALIA’S rock lobster industry fears it may be China’s next target after wine, beef and barley.

Most rock lobster exports to China have been temporarily halted after 21 tonnes of shipments were stranded at Chinese ports in recent days.

Some shipments have cleared customs, but others have been delayed for additional screening for heavy metals.

Tasmania’s sector, which sent about $22.4 million of rock lobster to China in 2019, has not been impacted at this stage as its season only opens in November.

Assistant Minister for Fisheries Jonathon Duniam said the Federal Government and industry were seeking clarity from Chinese authorities about the new testing regime.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“At the moment, Tasmanian exports are not caught up but we want to achieve that certainty now and clarity around what China is expecting from our rock lobster exports,” he said.

“I’m confident we’ll be able to resolve this in as short a time as possible.”

Rock lobster fishers were already dealt a significant blow this year from COVID-19, which caused Lunar New Year celebrations in China to be cancelled in January – effectively ending demand for the lucrative product in Australia’s top export market overnight.

Only South Australia and Western Australia are impacted at this stage.

“Some cargoes have cleared, so this hasn’t been a full blockage or stoppage,” Trade Minister Simon Birmingham told ABC radio.

“But there have been sufficient delays that the industry, given the high value and short shelf-life of these sorts of products, has decided to suspend for a period of time some of its exports while it tries to get a better understanding of exactly what these new import screening processes China has put in place are.”

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said China wants to test up to 50 per of rock lobsters coming in for heavy metals.

David Littleproud during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“There is already arrangements within Australia to do testing to make sure the product we send is of highest class in the world,” he told Sky News.

Mr Littleproud said there were “serious concerns” that Australia has been singled out.

“There has been no other nation that is exporting rock lobster into China that has been asked to do this,” he said.

Southern Rock Lobster Limited executive officer Tom Cosentino said the lobster shipments were not “on a tarmac” in China.

“It will be brought inside in a temperature controlled environment,” he said.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Cosentino said the majority of rock lobster exporters would stop sending shipments to China until more is known about the new process.

“We’re confident that Australian rock lobster industry’s reputation as a global leader in quality, reliability and sustainability will meet the standards of the new process,” he said.

“Our food safety and quality systems are world class.

“We will provide an up-date when we know more.”

BOATS, POTS AND DIVE SUITS COME OUT

Flynn Stanfield and fresh southern rock lobster.

KEEN recreational rock lobster fishers are filling pots, rings and dive bags as the season opens up everywhere except a special rebuilding zone on Tasmania’s East Coast.

The recreational season opened on Sunday and the state’s 20,000 licence holders have been quick to head out on the water at South Port in Frederick and Storm bays, on the State’s West Coast and in Tasmania’s North.

“Some very keen people are even talking about walking into South Cape to catch rock lobster,” passionate recreational fisher John Stanfield, from Bellerive, said.

The recreational season opened outside of the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone on Sunday.

Commercial operators need to wait until November 15.

Recreational fishers can access the rebuilding zone – which stretches from Eddystone Point to the southern tip of Bruny Island — from December 5 with commercial fishing allowed in three days later.

While the later season in the special zone delays access for many fishers from Hobart and the East Coast’s shack communities, those venturing to other areas are already hauling in good size rock lobster.

Mr Stanfield is a member of the Tasmanian Recreational Rock Lobster Fishing Group which has more than 6000 members.

The group’s Facebook page already boasts some impressive photos as fishers compete for “bragging rights”

“While rock lobster bagged by recreational fishers is for their consumption it is all about lifestyle and this bounty of the sea is shared with family and friends,” he said.

“The lion's share of the effort to catch rock lobster is with pots (about 66 per cent) with the rest caught with rings and through diving.

“I went for a dive at Maria Island on the weekend and got a bag of scallops and will head out for rock lobster soon.”

Mr Stanfield regards a 1kg crustacean as a good eating size.

“I release the big crays, over 140mm, because they are predators of the long-spined sea urchin which is causing real problems in Tasmania,” he said.

In the eastern region the limit is two rock lobster per person per day. That limit increases to five per person on Tasmania’s West Coast.