- Cook Government welcomes lifting of China's rock lobster sanctions
- Rock lobsters highly prized by China's high-end restaurants and hotels
- WA lobsters sourced from one of the world's most sustainable fisheries
The Cook Government has welcomed the announcement that live lobster exports to China will soon re-commence, with tariffs imposed nearly four years ago set to be removed.
The decision paves the way for Western Australia's prized western and southern rock lobsters, renowned for their sweet, rich taste and succulent firm flesh, to once again grace the tables of high-end restaurants and hotel chains in China.
WA was the nation's biggest supplier of lobster to China prior to the imposition of the tariffs, exporting more than 5500 tonnes of the delicacy, worth more than $448.7 million in 2018-19.
It's expected the State's major lobster suppliers in the Mid West and metropolitan areas will gear up operations to resume trade in the coming months.
The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery was the world's first fishery to receive the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for ecological sustainability in 2000.
During the trade hiatus, the Cook Government worked to maintain connections with the Chinese market, supporting WA lobster missions and promotions at key Chinese and South East Asian international exhibitions.
Support was also provided to the local industry to adjust to the change in market access, including allowing lobster fishers to catch more lobsters to sell into the local market through the Back of Boat sales program and cultivating demand from other overseas markets.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"WA rock lobster is the best in the world, and I'm pleased to see that it will soon be back on the menu at restaurants across China.
"Programs to grow local sales and other overseas markets have supported the fishery through the sanction period, and the resumption of sales will build on this success.
"Sanctions have already been lifted on WA barley, wine and beef and today's announcement continues the State's productive trade relationship with China."
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"This is great news that this significant market for our magnificent western rock lobster will re-open, driving demand and market competition.
"This resilient industry has adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and market disruptions in recent years, reinventing itself and capturing new domestic and export opportunities.
"I look forward to seeing live lobster exports to China cranking up again and the confidence it will inject into the industry, regional communities and economies."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"Our Mid West rock lobster fishery has weathered these sanctions by expanding into other markets over the past four years, making it more resilient to future disruptions.
"I know local operators will welcome today's announcement and will be excited to gear up their operations for the resumption of trade."
