Rock lobster hall of fame beckons
Scratch beneath the veneer of big boats and weather- beaten faces and you will find a curious fact about WA's lucrative rock lobster fishery.
It is the greenest in the world, at least according to one key measure.
Exactly 15 years after becoming the first wild-caught fishery to be given the green tick of approval by the Marine Stewardship Council - an international sustainability accreditor - WA's lobster fishermen are in the running to gain more worldwide recognition.
The fishery has been nominated along with four other Australian businesses for a gong in an Australian category of the United Nations' World Environment Day awards, to be announced in Melbourne today.
Western Rock Lobster Council chief executive John McMath said the nomination acknowledged the fact the fishery had been officially deemed sustainable for so long. Mr McMath said it was vindication for the industry's foresight in pursuing accreditation.
He said attitudes to environmental issues were less progressive at the time and WA's lobster fishermen had blazed a trail for others.
Under the MSC's rules, fisheries are subjected to regular audits and have to be re-certified every five years.
Mr McMath said WA's rock lobster fishery had slashed its catch and was seeking to minimise the effects of its gear on migrating whales.
