Professional lobster fishers in numbers along the South East coast are choosing to stay in port and save costs associated with bait and fuel.

They are currently receiving a beach (wholesale) price of around $40 per kilogram.

The 2021/22 season opened over a month ago with the initial return to the 160 boats being $60 and a peak since of $87.

The current prices are comparable to last season after exports to mainland China were suddenly stopped in November owing to a trade embargo.

The domestic market in Adelaide has adjusted its prices to retail customers with lobsters currently priced at $65 per kilogram.