Tasmanian lobster is poised for a return to Chinese menus by the end of the year after the country agreed to lift its ban on live lobster imports from Australia.
The decision has been celebrated by local fishermen, with the move expected to boost the state’s economy by tens of millions of dollars annually.
Exports to the Asian market have plummeted by around $40 million since the ban was imposed in 2020.
Minister Eric Abetz said the lifting of the ban will allow the industry to recover its pre-ban value of around $88 million per year and create new job opportunities.
“It’s decreased to about $50 million per annum. That is a huge differential and we have every hope and confidence that we will be able to regain access into the Chinese market and get the benefits that flow from that,” he said.
“We are hoping that prices will return for our cray fishermen and as a result our regional communities and the job opportunities will be boosted.”
The ban was imposed in 2020 as part of a wider campaign of economic punishment against Australia.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said there are around 3,000 jobs in the lobster fishing industry.
“We know that there are thousands interstate and even hundreds of jobs here in Tasmania,” she said.
“We know that some of the rock lobster fishers have been having a very tough time. We know this news will be welcomed.”
The ban is expected to be lifted by the end of the year.
