On the historic docks of Fremantle in Western Australia, drums, flags and cheers could be heard. Curious visitors poured in from Esplanade Park, Bathers Beach and surrounds to see what was generating so much noise.  

It was the traditional ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ parade, the ceremony signifying the official start of the 12th International Conference & Workshop on Lobster (and Crab) Biology and Management and concluded with fireworks display later that evening. 

Hannah Fitzgerald, Mayor of Fremantle, opened the conference to a crowd of almost 200 people who travelled from 18 countries to attend this international event to hear the latest research on lobsters and crabs, but also management of commercial and recreational fisheries on ecologically sustainable principles.

Ms Fitzgerald spoke of Fremantle’s rich maritime history including the importance of the western rock lobster fishery - WA’s most valuable fishery at over $400 million – while also acknowledging new opportunities for the city’s fishing future. She also reflected on important issues such as the blue economy and sustainability as well as pledging ongoing support for research on these topics.

The conference, was supported by the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Numerous FRDC investments were featured throughout the conference, including keynote speaker, Professor Gretta Pecl, who tackled the critical issue of climate change's impact on marine environments. In her address titled ‘Fisheries in a Warming World and Changing Ocean: What's in Store and What's Needed to Ensure a Thriving Future’, Professor Pecl highlighted the alarming consequences of rising global sea surface temperatures and the accelerating rate of heatwaves.

She spoke of the massive effects climate change was having on our marine environments, particularly warming global sea surface temperatures and the alarming acceleration rate in which heatwaves are occurring. In fact, in July 2023, the surface temperature in the Florida Keys hit a staggering 38 degrees Celsius which can have severe consequences for the health of coral and the marine life that depends on them. July also saw temperatures hit 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial levels for the first time in history.  

“The rate of warming in the past 15 years has been forty per cent higher than warming since the 1970’s,” says Professor Pecl. But it’s not just the Florida Keys feeling the impact. Sea ice loss in Antarctica is having an immense impact. Over the last decade, ice sheets the size of Western Australia have been lost. This equates to over 150 tonnes of melting each year.  

Professor Pecl’s speech reminded us of the threats, but also the opportunities the fishing and aquaculture sector faces over the coming decades. “Seafood has a much lower carbon footprint compared to other industries,” says Gretta.

Fish and seafood contribute 6.5 kilograms of Co2, compared to 60 kilograms for beef or 20 kilograms for cheese production.

An important aspect highlighted during the conference was the need for effective communication between researchers and fishing and aquaculture communities. Professor Pecl spoke of the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of the public and urging researchers to adopt a more audience-centric approach. “We asked the community what they wanted to know, rather than assuming what they wanted to hear,” she said.  

The conference placed a significant emphasis on Australian projects, many funded by FRDC.

Senior Research Scientist at Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Dr Jason How’s project (2021-091) is studying whale population dynamics and migration along the WA coast to prevent whale entanglements. This initiative seeks to minimize the risk to whales and swiftly implement measures to prevent entanglements.

Another highlighted project was Western Rock Lobster Council’s (WRLC) 2022-060 ‘Understanding the Economics and Markets of the Western Rock Lobster industry’. Dan Fels, WRLC economist, spoke about the economic research program focused on enhancing the commercial Western Rock Lobster industry’s understanding of the industry’s economics, such as boat and business costs, as well as markets. Its primary objective is to improve the industry’s knowledge of its competitiveness in global markets, maximise the overall value of the fishery, and assist individual operations in identifying key drivers for efficiency and profitability. Research was also undertaken to investigate the impact of international trade disruptions on the industry’s financial wellbeing and economic contributions.

Key initiatives of the program include building a benchmarks database that collects operational costs of boats throughout the fleet; developing a Maximum Economic Yield (MEY) model that utilises the best available information from scientists, fishers, processors, and marketers; and generating an annual ‘State of the Markets’ report that provides valuable insights into market conditions.

By implementing these initiatives, the program aims to empower the Western Rock Lobster industry with comprehensive economic knowledge, enabling better decision-making, improved competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

Spatial squeeze is a major concern for fishing and aquaculture. FRDC has invested in 2022-104 ‘Review and quantify the cumulative effects of expanding industrial coastal developments and emerging offshore renewable energy on the fishing industry in WA’ with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC). Carli Telfer, Manager of Policy, Innovation and Technology at WAFIC discussed how this work has commenced to understand the cumulative impacts on the fishing industry arising from the emerging offshore renewable energy sector, increasing marine park sanctuary zones and the expansion of industrial coastal developments.

The aim is to review and quantify the cumulative effects of offshore developments, to better understand their impact on commercial and recreational fishing, as well as aquaculture, charter, and Indigenous fishing. Ms Telfer said the aim is to establish a framework for the coexistence of the fishing and renewables sectors, fostering long-term collaborative relationships.

On the last day of the conference, DPIRD scientist Dr Danielle Johnston presented her work on FRDC project 2022-138 focusing on the development of a Kimberley Aboriginal Mud Crab fishery with members of the Warrwa community who share the Karmulinunga Reserve area of Derby. 

Supporting Aboriginal people to realise the economic development potential through commercial fishing rights is a high priority for DPIRD and FRDC.

Over 90 per cent of the Kimberley is under Native Title, and Traditional Owners are strongly advocating for business opportunities, including commercial fishing, to deliver improved economic participation and socioeconomic prosperity of Aboriginal people.

Green and brown mud crabs are a key species of interest to the Warrwa people. The pilot survey in King Sound last October was needed to develop survey methods for examining the relative abundance of mud crabs as well as their spatial distribution and biology.

“It was great to work with members of the Warrwa community, who assisted our scientists, technical officers, and crew in the King Sound survey.

“This survey provides the foundation for future surveys in other areas of the Kimberley where baseline data on mud crab species distribution and relative abundance will be used to assist our fisheries managers in appropriate trap allocations and management for developing an Aboriginal Mud Crab Fishery.”

Throughout the conference, various presentations shed light on the intricate relationship between climate change and lobster and crab fisheries worldwide. The participants echoed a prevailing sentiment for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to be established based on scientific principles, emphasising the necessity for sustainable fisheries management rooted in robust scientific research.

The conference, sponsored by FRDC through its Western Rock Lobster Industry Partnership Agreement (2016-164), was an outstanding success. Attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals, furthering the collective efforts towards a sustainable and resilient fishing sector.