Go east young lobster: government extends funding for lobster travel scheme

Half a million lobsters are moving from Tasmania’s west to east coast thanks to a government-sponsored program. Here’s why.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz and Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association CEO Kylie Cahill with rock lobsters in Hobart on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Half a million lobsters have been moved from Tasmania’s west to east coasts — and more will be shifted and fattened up in coming years thanks to a government-sponsored industry program.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz on Friday hailed the success of the East Coast Rock Lobster Translocation Program.

The minister announced another $600,000 in funding over the next four years to keep the lobsters moving in partnership with the fishing industry.

“The Rock Lobster Translocation Program moves small lobsters from high density, slow growing areas of South-West Tasmania to faster growing areas on the East Coast. When lobsters are moved to a warmer area, they grow faster.

“The translocation program boosts stock recovery and productivity, improving the fishing experience for all users on the East Coast.

“This investment will ensure fishers can continue to benefit from this program and have greater access to southern rock lobsters that are able to reach the legal minimum size limit.”

Moving lobsters around is big business, since 2014, the program has translocated around 800,000 lobsters to the South and West Coasts, and more than 500,000 to the East Coast.

The program has focused solely on the east coast since 2022.

In partnership with the rock lobster industry, more than 500,000 rock lobsters have been relocated from the South-West Coast to the East Coast, boosting stocks and providing better catch yields.

In the most recent 2023-24 translocation program, a record 175,000 fish were moved to the East Coast.

Research has shown that translocation is sustainable, with no significant risks for the population where the lobsters are taken from, and a projected improvement of the stock where lobsters are released.

Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association CEO Kylie Cahill welcomed the funding announcement.

“Programs like the East Coast Rock Lobster Translocation Program are underpinned by IMAS research, funded through the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement, and government’s increased funding allocation is welcome news for the industry,” she said.

Around 500 tonnes of rock lobsters have been caught by commercial fishers so far this quota year, which begins in March.