Australia resumes exports of live lobster to China

Almost as a Christmas present, a few days before Christmas Eve Seafood Industry Australia celebrated the resumption of live lobster exports to mainland China, already announced in October.

According to what the Australian Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported then, this resumption will represent a trade potential of over $700 million and will save 3,000 jobs in the industry, of which 2,000 are in Western Australia.

Now, the Australian fishing industry said this milestone represents the culmination of sustained cooperation between the industry and government officials from both countries, whom it thanked for their efforts in restoring live trade of Western, Southern and Eastern Rock Lobster.

"This critical achievement demonstrates that Australia-China trade relations are progressing positively, creating value and benefits for all involved," Seafood Industry Australia stated in a release.

"Australian rock lobster has long been prized in China for its superior quality, taste and sustainability credentials," the release continued. "The resumption of trade will see this premium product once again available to Chinese consumers, while supporting thousands of jobs in Australia's coastal communities."

In Australia, there are four key species of rock lobster commercially available. Their names correspond to the regions in which they are primarily caught: Western Rock Lobster, Eastern Rock Lobster, Southern Rock Lobster, and Tropical Rock Lobster. As mentioned, the agreement has not reached all of them.

As reported by Seafood Industry Australia, Australian Tropical Rock Lobster remains constrained by a separate trade impediment. However, although there is still work to be done for this species, the industry welcomed further efforts between government officials in both countries "to find a collaborative way forward on this issue to resume trade in sustainably-sourced lobster from the heavily impacted Torres Strait fishery."

"Industry looks forward to building stronger relationships with our valued Chinese partners and ensuring the long-term stability of this important trade relationship," Seafood Industry Australia's statement concluded.