WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Fishermen in Australia’s largest state are taking innovative steps to boost the sustainability of their industry.threatens food security and livelihoods in countries around the world.
The idea came to his brother Andrew and his friend Bob Bubb, both of whom have passed on, almost 30 years ago while they were working in the fishing industry. Fisherman Carmelo Mendolia, who has been a professional lobster fisherman for 47 years, said attitudes have changed for the better. Instead of fishing until the supply of lobsters runs dry, there is now a specific sustainable plan in place.
The lobsters are also caught in pots, which has minimal impact on the marine environment compared to bottom trawling, a method that drags large nets across the sea floor.The Western Rock Lobster Council this year celebrated its fifth Marine Stewardship Council accreditation, a world-renowned sustainability certification programme that ensures fisheries are following best practices when it comes to the environment.
While their revenue is still half of what it was pre-pandemic, this diversification has allowed them to keep operating.