AS-CRC 2006/220 demonstrated that translocation was successful in changing the colour, growth rate and nutritional value of southern rock lobster. Based on these results, the Tasmanian rock lobster industry is overwhelmingly supportive of a commercial scale trial. This project was ranked number 1 in the Crustacean RAG process by both industry and management as a tool to maximise productivity of the fishery and increase the gross value of production, profit margins, productivity and opportunities, as per the current FRDC priorities under Theme 7. This project has been developed following the recommendations and guidelines developed by Sustainability and Profitability Options Committee (SPOC) of the TRFLA.
While the completed pilot scale experiment demonstrated that at low levels of translocation, the rock lobster stock can be successful enhanced and productivity improved, the next critical stage is to assess the feasibility and economics of achieving this on a large scale, with greater densities. There is also a need to apply/refine the business and policy structures required for this operation to proceed.
The project also addresses a current need for stock rebuilding in the Tasmanian fishery due to an unusually prolonged period of below average recruitment. Translocation increases the productivity of individual recruits. In the current situation, we need to make the most of the reduced number of recruits that we’re still getting. To illustrate, an average of only 22% 60-65mm lobsters from the SW (area 8) grow to legal size and contribute to the catch. Of those that do reach legal size, their average weight is only 757 g. At the other extreme, an average of 70% of 60-65 mm lobsters from the NE grow contribute to the fishery with an average weight of 1227 g. The translocation proposed promotes stock rebuilding roughly the same level as a 10% cut in the TAC.
Final report
Another Seafood CRC project (2006/220) demonstrated that translocation was successful in changing the colour, growth rate and nutritional value of Southern Rocklobster. Based on these results, the Tasmanian rock lobster industry was overwhelmingly supportive of a commercial scale trial. While the completed pilot scale experiment demonstrated that at low levels of translocation, the Rocklobster stock can be successful enhanced and productivity improved, the next critical stage was to assess the feasibility and economics of achieving this on a large scale, with greater densities.
This project moved translocation from pilot scale research operations to commercial operations. Genetic testing confirmed previous studies and showed that the Tasmanian jurisdiction contained a single stock indicating that translocation does not carry risk of genetic contamination. The project also carried out some analysis of the health status of translocated lobsters and identified no significant health risk.
The project moved an average of 80,000 lobsters per annum, which resulted in an increase in the allowable commercial catch of 52 tonnes each year. This is an approximate increase in revenue of $6 million over the two years of the project, assuming an average market price of $60/kg.
Governance processes were developed and will continue to be applied in the fishery as translocation continues into the future as a commercial operation managed through the peak industry body, the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association. Genetic testing confirmed previous studies and showed that the jurisdiction contained a single stock, as expected with such long lived larvae that disperse over wide areas. This showed that translocation would not harm genetic diversity of Southern Rocklobster.
