WRL represents industry on a range of issues, including changes to the management system of the western rock lobster fishery; preparing submissions to government on behalf of the industry; sourcing funding for industry projects; and attending meetings and lobbying government on behalf of Managed Fishery Licence (MFL) holders.
The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery is an iconic, world-class fishery based on the spiny lobster found along Western Australia’s coast between Shark Bay and Cape Leeuwin.
The fishery was the world’s first to be certified as ecologically sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in 2000. Since then, the fishery has been successfully recertified four times.
It is Australia’s most valuable single-species wild capture fishery, worth up to $430 million, with about 240 vessels using baited pots to fish for western rock lobster. The industry employs more than 2400 people and supports regional coastal communities throughout the state.