Professional lobster fishermen are now rare on the waters of the South East as the 2022/23 season draws to a close.
Many of the 165-strong professional fleet have already headed for dry dock as the skippers have caught their allocated quota.
A lobster retailer at Beachport has begun its annual winter closure while capital city outlets are now selling lobsters for $80 per kilogram.
Some fishers are receiving around $56 per kilogram as the beach (wholesale) price for their catches.
All licence holders have the option of rolling over up to 10% of their annual catch quota to next season.
The 2022/23 season began over eight months ago on and ends on May 31.
The quota was set at 1290 tonnes last winter by Fisheries Minister Clare Scriven and this figure has not changed for several seasons.
As required by law, the decision about the quota for the 2023/24 season will be made by Minister Scriven in the coming months.
Each year, PIRSA Fisheries reminds fishers of some important housekeeping rules to do with the end of the season.
Lobster pots should be removed from the water during closed season and Fisheries Officers will be conducting patrols in coastal waters throughout the closed season, with owners running the risk of being fined or having their pots confiscated.
The annual winter closure is regarded as an important management tool to help protect the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
