Western rock lobster: Perth, WA coastal waters about to get busy as early ‘whites run’ for delicacy predicted

Perth’s coastal waters will soon be alive each and every morning with the western rock lobster season about to kick off — and experts believe the run will star early.

It means a hectic time at boat ramps across the city and WA, especially on weekends, as fishing lobster enthusiasts take advantage of the generally light winds in the early morning to put out and pull pots.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development scientists predict the annual “whites run” — when lobster close to shore shed their shells and walk to deeper water — will start early. In fact, about now.

The department said higher ocean temperatures, with research showing it was about 1C warmer in the shallows than usual, meant the lobsters would get on the move earlier.

Fishing for lobster is extremely popular at this time of year, with the crustacean a favourite Christmas dish.

“This is a popular time of year for recreational fishers because while the whites are walking, we estimate they are three times more catchable, hiding in pots during the day while they’re migrating,” DPIRD principal research scientist Simon de Lestang said.

“Commercial fishers also eagerly anticipate the whites run because it generally coincides with the approaching festive season when seafood, and especially rock lobsters, are always popular choices.”

However, Dr Lestang said that on the back of a strong run in 2023, comparatively fewer lobster would make the journey.

He said baby lobsters were a key indicator for making predictions.

Every year, scientists measure sample numbers of baby western rock lobster from ocean-based collectors at strategic locations along the coast.

“The number of puerulus (baby lobsters) measured four years earlier is the strongest influence on the whites run, which occurs when the three-and-a-half to four-year-old immature lobsters start to move out to deeper breeding areas,” he said.

Dr Lestang said the tiny lobsters naturally settled onto floating seaweed around nearshore reefs, helping them sneak past predators on their way to settling into crevices and holes within coastal reef systems.

“The annual migration of lobsters is expected to continue over January into February when Chinese New Year celebrations lift the demand for lobsters again,” he said..

“Commercial fishers can catch quite a lot of their quota during this time, sell it easily and maintain good prices.”