China ban cripple lobster fishery products

Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian rock lobster fisheries are at a standstill after China imports stopped by the Australian crustaceans.

The port rock lobster price has halved to since the Chinese Government the ban imposed.

China exporters would not accept imports, pending negotiations with Australian officials said.

Ninety percent of catches from Victoria's Western zone lobster fisheries are exported to China and Portland professional of fishermen's Association President Rob Davis says fishing will not continue until the ban is lifted.

"If the price that much hardly worth decreased the cost of out" he said.

"Once you add in the cost of the quota that lease, the fees and the costs, we need art come to a halt."

"The Chinese market is basically es.Wenn which shuts down, affects this us in every respect, because this is really our only market."

Tasmania's seafood is Chinese warning could extends ban on other sectors.

Tasmania's rock lobster fishermen told yesterday were to stay until the ban problem is resolved in the port.

China buys more than 90 percent of Tasmania's catch each year.

The head which says State seafood industry Council, Neil stump, the reasons for the prohibition are unclear.

"This is very over", he said.

"Rock lobster fishery is our second largest wild capture fisheries [and] one as far as sea produce our key export earners in Tasmania going."

"Our large market that refused to us is very to this time of year."

The Tasmanian Government has promised to State rock lobster industry employ to help the prohibition.

Head saying Tasmania's rock lobster of fishermen's Association, Rodney Treloggen, approximately 200 tons lobster now is stranded in tanks and boats without any buyers.

"It has the potential that are worst downturn we had ever in fisheries", he said.

Tasmania's primary industries Minister Bryan Green says the priority is to find alternative markets for the catch.

"Well, it is completely beyond our control, a difficult situation that prevails at the moment," he said.

Mr. Green, he says the Federal Government for support the lifting of the ban has approached.

The industry body, the wild catch says fisheries the sudden ban rock lobster exports to China Australia shows need to open up new markets.

Official Gary Morgan says Australia must diversify its trading partners.

"It has been selling some early success in consumers and restaurants in the United States at very attractive prices," he said.

"There are other markets in the Middle East and Europe but development of new markets is a long process and it is a little too early to solve this problem."