China-Australia Relations: Beijing resumes imports of Australian lobster after 4-year ban
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Australian lobsters are heading to China once again, after a 4-year absence.

The industry says the removal of a trade ban by China late last year has opened the door to its biggest and most profitable export destination, just in time for the Chinese New Year.

Greg Navarro has the story. 

The haul on this day was a good one for Basil Lenzo and his crew.

About 400 kilos of western rock lobsters.

What's even more significant for the 3rd generation fisher is that much of this catch will end up in China.

BASIL LENZO Fisher, Western Rock Lobster "Very, very pleased to be back in and very pleased for the fishing families around Western Australia."

In 2019, about 95% of Australia's western rock lobsters were sent to China, which was the industry's most profitable export market worth more than $700 million.

The next year, China imposed tariffs and trade blockages on a number of Australian exports including lobsters. The move was seen in response to Australia's former government calling for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

BASIL LENZO Fisher, Western Rock Lobster "It's been extremely hard, I mean the impact of not having China, especially through COVID, was a 50% reduction in economic activity and that resulted in fishers leaving the industry but those that stayed and weathered the storm have really been treading water."

Late last year, China lifted the trade ban on Australian lobsters.

The timing is providing a much-needed boost for the industry.

MARC ANDERSON CEO, Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative "We are seeing this inflated demand because of the Lunar New Year and the celebrations and the customers that we've spent generations building in China, they are of course coming back in droves which is good along with a bunch of new customers that we hadn't dealt with previously. So this news has been welcomed as much for our customers in China as for our fishers here in Australia."

That increased demand is evident in this Perth facility where all western rock lobsters destined for live exports are processed.

GREG NAVARRO Perth "The scale of this operation is quite incredible. There are about 80 tonnes of lobsters here in 140 tonnes of water and keep in mind a single catch weighs about half a kilo."

Industry officials say it's too early to tell whether China's current demand will extend beyond the New Year period.

MARC ANDERSON CEO, Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative "One thing that this has been able to do for us is over the last 4 years we've really focused on diversifying our markets – we've sold to 22 international markets out of these premises which is great."

For now, Lenzo is happy to be busy again.

BASIL LENZO Fisher, Western Rock Lobster "You get money to put in a new engine, you get money to build a new boat down the track, and you get money to feed your families and keep your crew."

And Lenzo says, the return to business helps sustain an industry that so many communities depend on here along Australia's western coast. 

Greg Navarro, CGTN, Perth.