A study by Fisheries scientists indicates there are the highest numbers of western rock lobster present along the west coast in decades – a bonus for licensed rock lobster fishers.
During the past two years, researchers have tagged 15,000 lobsters along the coastline.
By using data such as the number, date and location of tagged lobsters caught by commercial fishers, they estimate the lobster population has had a healthy increase – possibly back to 1960s levels.
As well as there being more lobsters, the tagging program, which has one more year to run, has also identified that warmer sea temperatures can help accelerate lobster growth rates. More.