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Find out more about lobster, a crustacean found throughout the world’s ocean. Find out which lobster is sustainable and where to buy sustainable lobster.
Lobsters are large marine crustaceans, highly prized as seafood. Varieties include clawed lobsters, spiny lobsters (which have no claws), and squat lobsters.
Australia's iconic western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) is part of the spiny lobster family, with long antennae used for navigation, self-defence and communication, and no claws. They are often called 'crayfish' or 'crays' locally in Western Australia, where they're found in temperate, inshore reefs along the coast.
There is no such thing as a sustainable species of fish. Only sustainable populations of fish.
Lobster carrying the MSC blue fish tick is certified sustainable. MSC labelled lobster comes from a fishery that has been independently assessed to the MSC Fisheries Standard.
Companies using the blue fish tick all along the supply chain have been assessed to ensure products can be traced back to an MSC certified fishery.
In Australia, you can find lobster products with the blue fish tick label at selected Coles deli seafood counters and specialist seafood retailers such as Harley and Johns in Fairy Meadow, NSW.
Consumer demand is important. You can use your voice to ask your local supermarket, fish shop or restaurant to consider stocking lobster with the MSC’s blue fish tick.
The Western Rock Lobster Fishery is an iconic, world-class fishery that is based on the spiny lobster along Western Australia’s coast between Shark Bay and Cape Leeuwin. It was the world’s first fishery to be MSC certified sustainable since the year 2000. It comprises some 250 vessels using baited pots and traps to fish for rock lobster.
The fishery has strict requirements in place including seasonal closures, minimum size requirements and a ban on catching breeding females. Data has been kept since the 1960s and enables scientists to predict catches accurately and ensure that controls are adequate to maintain sustainable levels.
Learn more with our lobster factsheet for teachers and students.
How a lobster fishery became a state-wide inspiration for sustainability
Find more sustainable seafood species that are MSC certified in Australia and New Zealand.
Explore the sustainable seafood guide.
Chefs and seafood lovers from around the world share quick and tasty ways of cooking MSC certified seafood.
Choose seafood which helps to protect oceans, livelihoods and fish for the future.
Where to find the blue fish tick at supermarkets, fish shops and restaurants.
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