Bluewave Lobster Lancelin manager, Kim Scaddan, said: "The record $67/kilo price for B sized lobster reflects the demand for WA's high quality product worldwide."
The majority of WA's lobster catch is destined for China where demand is currently outstripping supply.
B sized lobsters, around half a kilo, are the most sought after at this time, but even H sized lobsters, around 2.5 kilos, are fetching $37/kilo.
Live lobsters are airfreighted to China on a daily basis and are typically on diners' plates within two/three days from being hauled out of the ocean.
"The small coastal town of Lancelin is highly reliant on the crayfishing industry and when prices are good, the whole town benefits." claims Mr Scaddan.
Of course the local industry is not always this buoyant. Prices sometimes dip into the $20-$30/kilo range and the low prices coupled with the complexity of juggling an annual catch quota makes for interesting times for crayfishermen. But for the time being, expect to see WA crayfisherman with big smiles on their faces.
The ‘beach price’ is what fisherman receive from the processing companies for their product and translates to a wholesale price in Asia of more than double that figure.
