1 day Ago By Dylan Caporn
It’s become a December tradition for many West Aussies — buying their Christmas crayfish fresh off the back of the boat. And peak industry body, Western Rock Lobster, will again run its popular super sale on Monday, December 23 at ports in Cervantes, Mandurah, Hillarys, Fremantle, Geraldton and Kalbarri. With about 28,000 lobsters and 50,000kg of tiger and king prawns and scallops expected to be bought and eaten by West Aussies over Christmas, Fisheries Minister Don Punch said it was important to buy local.
“You could come down last year, get a couple of lobsters for $25 each — makes up a kilo for around $50 or single lobsters for $25 — so the rock lobster boys are really looking after us this season,” he said. Those prices are comparable to 2023, although the picture could change in 2025 when China lift its ongoing tariffs against western rock lobsters. They are forecast to lift those tariffs in time for Chinese New Year, January 29, 2025.
And that competing demand would generally push up prices for WA’s prized crustaceans. “The seafood industry, it’s always a tough industry. The guys go out, they work pretty hard to get the fish that we eat and we value, but it’s a great product locally,” Mr Punch said.
Mr Punch also pointed to cheaper options for families looking to have seafood, including making the best use of a whole fish, rather than just buying a fillet. Details of when each centre opens on December 23 is available here ..
