Annual Reports

2017/2018 Annual Report

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) continues to evolve into a relevant, professional and well managed organisation that works hard to inform, support and secure WRL members’ long-term future in an industry that is confronting many challenges and opportunities in an ever-changing world.

Click here to download the 2017/2018 Annual Report

2016/2017 Annual Report

It has been a busy year for Western Rock Lobster as we engage with the many challenges and opportunities of our State’s most valuable fishery.

Click here to download the 2016/2017 WRL Annual Report

Latest news

Meet Michael Butcher, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Introducing Michael Butcher, our next deserving recipient of one of 10 bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. Michael, a proud father of three …

Introducing Radley Woodcock, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Radley Woodcock is our next deserving recipient of one of 10 bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. Based in Geraldton, Radley is a …

Meet Chris Williams, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

We are pleased to introduce you to Chris Williams, our next deserving recipient of one of 10 bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. …

Meet Kurt Glass, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Introducing Kurt Glass, one of our 10 bursary winners attending the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. Kurt is an experienced Deckhand based in Kalbarri and participated …

Meet Stephen Minutillo, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Recently we announced we have awarded ten bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. The $3,000 bursaries provide professional development for future leaders of …

Introducing Lance Dawe, one of our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Western rock lobster Industry continues to support increasing local lobster supply

Media Release 04 April 2019 Industry continues to support increasing the accessibility and availability of more affordable Western rock lobster to local consumers and recognises this will boost lobster related …

Meet Eddie Fernandes! Introducing you to our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Introducing you to our ten very deserving bursary winners of 2019!

Bursaries provide professional development for future leaders of the Western rock lobster Industry

Media Release 04 April 2019 Western Rock Lobster is pleased to announce it has awarded ten $3,000 bursaries to attend the 2019 Trans-Tasman Rock Lobster Congress in Queenstown, New Zealand. …

International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management (ICWL) is coming to Fremantle, 18-23 October 2020

Western Rock Lobster and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are pleased to be hosting the 12th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management (ICWL) in …

Western Rock Lobster continues to invest in young industry leaders

Media Release 12 February 2019 Western Rock Lobster (WRL) has today announced it is providing the opportunity for 10 young industry leaders from the Western Australian rock lobster industry to …

Sustainable, sophisticated and shared western rock lobster resource for WA

Media Release 25 January 2019 Western Rock Lobster has today provided a submission to the State Government offering to work in partnership to increase the social and fiscal value return …

Industry united in opposition to Government intervention

Media Release 14 December 2018 Western Australia’s rock lobster fishers are united in their opposition to the State Government’s plan to seize a 17 per cent commercial stake in the …

Government takes commercial stake in western rock lobster fishery

Media Release 08 December 2018 The McGowan Government has today announced a major and unprecedented intervention in to the western rock lobster fishery which will result in the State taking …

Western Rock Lobster at the table for key industry consultation

Media Release 10 November 2018 Western Rock Lobster will take part in key consultations with the State Government to explore a range of initiatives to grow the industry in Western …

Fishing Operations Committee welcome two new fisher members

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to announce the Fishing Operations Committee (FOC) has welcomed two new fisher members, Adam Radford from Cervantes and Ryan Labruyere from Dongara, to the …

Western Rock Lobster’s first industry capacity building program a great success

Western Rock Lobster’s first DECK Program forum which aims to build capacity within the industry, was held last week with great success. The DECK Program provides professional development opportunities for …

WRL to support and fund improved safety performance in the industry

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to advise that it is to support and fund the development of a western rock lobster industry Learning Management System (LMS) to improve safety …

Strong economic outlook for Western Rock Lobster Industry

Confidence in the economic future of Australia’s most valuable and sustainable fishery is high, with 72 per cent of fishers and stakeholders in the Western Rock Lobster industry predicting a …

Election Results for the WRL Board of Directors 2018

Nominations for the election of Directors were opened on 1 August 2018 for one A Zone representative, one B Zone representative and two C Zone representatives. When nominations closed on …

WRL team move offices to the Fremantle wharf!

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is excited to announce that our team have moved to a new location on the wharf in Fremantle! WRL has created a professional independent presence that you …

WRL launch DECK Program to provide professional development opportunities to industry

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to announce the launch of our industry DECK Program with the first two-day forum to be held on Thursday 11th to Friday 12th of October …

2018 Management Meetings valuable opportunity to engage with our many members and stakeholders

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) would like to thank all of our members and stakeholders who attended the 2018 West Coast Rock Lobster Management Meetings (MMs), facilitated by the Industry Consultation …

Our member’s Industry Levy funds are achieving great things!

With the 2017/18 financial year drawn to a close, it’s time to reflect on the fantastic things our member’s Industry Levy funds have achieved so far. Firstly, let’s have a …

New WRL Rules of Association now in effect

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to announce that the new WRL Rules of Association was unanimously adopted by Members who attended in person or by proxy at the Special …

TACC Committee Report and Peer Review Report released ahead of 2018 Management Meetings

Dear WRL Members and Stakeholders, Please find below attached reports and information regarding the 2018 Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) Committee recommendations and the outcomes of the recent independent peer …

Matt Taylor CEO presented this morning at a breakfast function hosted by Agribusiness Australia

Matt Taylor CEO presented this morning at a breakfast function hosted by Agribusiness Australia. The topic was ‘Lobster Success – Sound growth strategy for the quiet achievers’. Western Rock Lobster …

Two new research programs to the value of $1 million are approved and underway!

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to announce that two research program proposals to the value of $1 million have been approved through our Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) with the …

Commonwealth Government Announces Increase in Transition Funding to New Safety Management System

The Deputy Prime Minister released a policy statement this morning extending the transition funding arrangements for the new National Marine Safety Management System. Read the statement here. In response to industry …

WRL welcome Kessley O’Halloran to the team!

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kessley O’Halloran to the WRL team in the role of Executive Assistant. Kessley is a skilled and dedicated Executive …

NOTICE of Special General Meeting, 19th July 2018 at 12.00 p.m.

25 June 2018 Dear Licence Holders, A Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Western Rock Lobster Council Inc. (WRL) will be held on Thursday, 19th July 2018 at the Geraldton …

Western Rock Lobster support new technology to enhance tracking and reduce whale entanglements

Western Rock Lobster is supporting new technology designed to reduce whale entanglements for commercial and recreational fishers along the Western Australian coast. The introduction of whale tracking buoys is a …

Independent peer review of the science and modelling underway

In early 2018 Western Rock Lobster (WRL) requested to work collaboratively with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to undertake a prudent independent peer review of the …

CONSULTATION: Wildblue Holdings Pty Ltd Aquaculture Licence and Lease, Abrolhos Islands

Wildblue Holdings has applied to culture various species of seaweed at a site in the Pelsaert Group of the Abrolhos Islands. Industry feedback sought by 28 May 2018. In 2017, …

Western rock lobster deliver multi-million dollar tourism boost

International tourists have a growing appetite for Western Australia’s most iconic seafood, delivering a multi-million-dollar boost to the local tourism industry. New research reveals the western rock lobster fishery is …

Recfishwest and Western Rock Lobster team up to keep lobster fishers safe

SNAG IT? TAG IT! A new safety initiative to keep thousands of Western Australian lobster fishers safe will be rolled out along the West Coast in the coming weeks. In …

Our iconic western rock lobster industry featured on ABC Landline

The episode which aired on Sunday 6 May 2018, featured the Lobster Shack in Cervantes which is a fantastic example of how fishermen are promoting the industry through tourism experiences. …

CONSULTATION: Alkimos, Geophysical and geotechnical works – Proposed Desalination site

The Water Corporation is looking to complete initial exploratory work to assess the best location for a proposed desalination plant for a future Perth water supply option. Industry feedback sought …

CONSULTATION: Little Rat Coral Farm Pty Ltd Aquaculture Licence and Lease, Abrolhos Islands

Little Rat Coral Farm Pty Ltd (LRCF) has applied to culture various species of coral at three offshore sites near Little Rat Island in the Abrolhos Islands. Industry feedback sought …

Research Institute to double value of western rock lobster industry

Western Rock Lobster plans to establish an Australasian Institute for Spiny Lobster Research in a bid to double the industry’s economic contribution to $1 billion in the next decade. Western …

WRL Alternative Funding Model Proposal

Western Rock Lobster (WRL) has adopted an industry Gross Value of Production (GVP) target of $1 billion by 2028. While ambitious, a doubling of the gross value of production of …

Ngari Capes Marine Park – Gazettal of zoning scheme

The Ngari Capes Marine Park zoning scheme was gazetted on 10 April 2018. Fishing prohibitions in some of these zones will come into effect in 12 months. The Department of …

WRL Coastal Tour March/April 2018

Thank you to all WRL Members and Stakeholders who joined us at one (or more!) of our coastal tour meetings over the last 2 weeks! The March Coastal Tour was a …

CONSULTATION: Changes to survey regime for domestic commercial vessels from 1 July 2018

AMSA have opened consultation on proposed changes to the vessel survey regime arrangements. The AMSA consultation is open until 2 May 2018. The new reduced survey regime has significant benefits, …

CONSULTATION: 3D on-shore and off-shore seismic survey off WA’s Mid-West region

Westranch Holdings Pty Ltd are currently seeking approval from Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) to conduct a 3D on-shore and off-shore seismic survey off WA’s Mid-West region, …

More western rock lobsters for locals this Easter and April holiday

West Australian rock lobster fishermen will be able to pull their pots and sell direct to local wholesalers, retailers and restaurants during the Easter holiday thanks to the Local Lobster …

Consultation: Recfishwest proposed Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs)

Recfishwest is proposing to install Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) in Albany, Broome, Cape Naturaliste, Exmouth and Geraldton. WRL is seeking industry feedback especially with regard to the Geraldton FAD locations proposed …

Peer Review FAQs

Recently we announced that WRL would collaborate with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to conduct an independent peer review of the Western rock lobster science and …

New Fishing Operations Committee established

Western Rock Lobster would like to sincerely thank all those young active skippers for sending in an application of interest to join the Fishing Operations Committee (FOC) recently established by …

WRL request independent peer review of Western Rock Lobster science and modelling

WRL take steps towards working collaboratively with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to undertake an independent peer review of the Western Rock Lobster model and science. …

Expression of Interest (EoI) – Fishing Operations Sub-committee

Western Rock Lobster are seeking 5 young active skippers to become members of a committee that will assess then recommend any industry rules and regulations that should be relaxed, removed …

The Potential for a New Statutory Management Authority

ACIL Allen Consulting has been commissioned by the Western Rock Lobster Council and the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council to conduct a scoping study on the advantages and disadvantages of …

Prayers for a safe, prosperous 2018 at traditional fleet blessing in Dongara

Dongara fishermen were joined by their families, friends and community members today to celebrate the start of a new fishing season with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. Local …

Season’s Greetings from WRL: Message from the Chair

I would like to extend my personal thanks to our many members, stakeholders, PFAs and WRLC Directors who have contributed to the extensive range of activities and achievements by the …

Western Rock Lobster Industry worth half a billion dollars to WA economy

The Western Rock Lobster industry is a major contributor to economic growth and job creation in Western Australia, according to comprehensive economic analysis that quantifies the fishery’s contribution to the …

Launch of the Local Lobster Program!

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly announced today the launch of the Local Lobster Program! Click here to read the Ministerial Statement. The Local Lobster Program, formerly known as the Local Access …

New AMSA Vessel Stability Guide

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has developed a new guide for all fishing vessel owners, operators and crew to help better understand the key elements and the hazards that …

Rockingham: two men fined more than $25,000 for taking lobsters

Two men have been fined more than $25,000 between them after causing a big loss to a second generation commercial rock lobster fisher’s livelihood. Click here to read the full …

Western Rock Lobster are proud sponsors of “In Search of Fish and Fortune”. Grab your copy today!

Western Rock Lobster are proud sponsors of the book “In Search of Fish and Fortune” written by author and master shipwright Bill Leonard. In Search of Fish and Fortune celebrates …

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