The western rock lobster industry is a major contributor to economic growth and job creation in Western Australia (WA), according to new economic analysis that for the first time quantifies the fishery’s contribution to the state.
“Economic Contribution of the Western Rock Lobster Industry 2017” reveals the sector contributed AUD 505 million (USD 380.1 million, EUR 322.3 million) and supported more than 2,400 direct and indirect jobs across the state in 2016-17. Of this, Perth metropolitan region contributed more than AUD 300 million (USD 225.8 million, EUR 191.5 million), supported 1,260 jobs and generated approximately 34 percent of the total annual catch of western rock lobsters.
Western Rock Lobster Council CEO Matt Taylor said the report findings demonstrate the industry’s significant value to the state.
“After more than half a century of growth for this industry, we are finally able to quantify the true value of our iconic fishery for the very first time,” said Taylor. “The industry was started by passionate fishers and their families in the early 1950s. Today it is an important, sophisticated and sustainable industry that continues to contribute significant value for WA.
“In particular, the industry continues to underpin economic prosperity and social development within our regional towns and coastal communities.”
The fishery, which is based on a harvest of 6,300 metric tons (MT), creates major local employment opportunities across the broader supply chain including the managed fishery, processed seafood manufacturing, boat building and tourism.
Its economic contribution is comparable to other primary industries in Western Australia including sheep meat and wool. And Taylor said the industry believes it has the capacity to be worth AUD 1 billion (USD 752.5 million, EUR 638.1 million) within the next decade.
There are 226 boats in the fishery, which is based on a single species – the spiny lobster (Panulirus cygnus) – in an area along WA’s coast between Shark Bay and Cape Leeuwin.
