Tassie’s cheap crays are being snapped up ahead of Christmas Day

Running around doing that last minute shopping and you realised you’ve forgotten the most important part – the crays? See where’s still selling crays up until Christmas Eve. SEE THE LIST >>

• Christmas comes early as crays go cheap across Tassie
• Locals swoop on cheap live crays while they last
• More cheap crays on offer for locals despite mercy flights
• Rock lobster industry fears China trade delays

CHEAP crayfish are quickly being snapped up as Tasmanians get their lunch plans sorted for Christmas Day.

With the Chinese market dried up its made crays more affordable than ever for hungry punters keen to snap up a bargain.

Prices are bottoming out at $50 a kilo – but that’s only for lucky shoppers. Retailers are reporting smaller crays than usual due to several areas being closed this season.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF WHO’S SELLING CRAYS >>

Pacific Condor at Kettering

Rock lobsters will be sold from the Pacific Condor at the Kettering Jetty for $50 per kg between 9am and 5pm on Wednesday.

Tatnell’s Live Rock Lobster, roaming

The crew from Tatnell’s Live Rock Lobster will have live crays on sale on Christmas Eve on Margate Wharf all day. Their last catch weighed around 750g and were selling for about $40.

They’ll also have cooked crays at tomorrow night’s Farm Gate Market in Hobart.

Aussie Lobster Hunters, roaming

The guys from Aussie Lobster Hunters will have fresh lobster on December 23 from 8am, at $55kg – and selling for as low as $33. Find them at Margate Wharf.

Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods, Cambridge

Staple Cambridge outlet Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods has plenty of crays – and they’re roaming around the state. See their social media for more info.

Squizzy Taylor, Aussie Lobster Man, roaming

Famous lobster wrangler Squizzy Taylor is down at Margate Wharf today and has some monster crays on offer. See his social media for more locations.

Kayde Johnson, Nubeena Jetty

A smaller seller, Kayde Johnson is selling crays cheap – three for $100. Be quick, it’s a locals-only deal for those on the Tasman Peninsula.

“We will be there all day so call in whenever you like. If you haven’t made an order yet please do so as stocks are limited,” he said.

Strait off the Boat, Devonport

Crays are starting from 800g and about $40-50 live, and $55-60 cooked.

Kyeema Seafoods, Kings Meadows

Kyeema Seafoods say they have “truckloads” of stock – and not just crays but oysters and Moreton Bay bugs as well. They recommend getting in on Tuesday or Wednesday.

EARLIER: CHEAP crayfish are quickly being snapped up as Tasmanians get their lunch plans sorted for Christmas Day.

Boats were back out on Elizabeth Street Pier on Sunday peddling rock lobsters to keen seafood-lovers, with vessel Merlin out selling live crays for $50 per kilo.

Skipper Shaun Dale said they had a great day on Sunday with 187 sales and about 600 crays sold.

Merlin Skipper Shaun Dale who is selling crays near Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The experienced fisherman said selling off the wharf was a new experience for him, but he was thankful for the community support.

“Without the support of the community, without export at the moment, I’d probably be considering exiting the industry,” he said.

He expected demand to grow even higher in the lead up to the big day, with people keen to snag fresh fish for lunch on December 25.

For those yet to take advantage of cheap prices, he said Merlin would be back at the waterfront on Monday and Tuesday, but encouraged people to check their Facebook page Merlin Live Lobster to avoid disappointment. They’re also selling cooked crays for $55 that can be delivered.

Sunday was a big day for fishers, with many boats selling out.

Outside of the waterfront, crays were also being sold at Margate Wharf, Huonville and Ulverstone.

Launcestonians will have the chance to snap some up lobsters from $45 each on Monday as the Lobster Truck sets up at the Gunners Arms Tavern from 10am to 1pm.

Salamanca Fresh and Hill Street Grocer have had crays in past weeks, and nationally Coles and Woolworths have imposed a limit of four per person for their cheap $20 West Australian rock lobsters.

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