Sound Growth Strategy for the Quiet Achievers Matt Taylor WRL CEO - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LOBSTER SUCCESS Sound Growth Strategy for the Quiet Achievers Matt Taylor WRL CEO

Western Rock Lobster Council Who are we?

Who are we? • Peak industry body representing the interests of the western rock lobster fishery • Strive to ensure the catching sector of this valuable industry remains a viable , effective and responsible member of the fishing community • WRL represents industry on a range of issues including • changes to the management system of the fishery • prepares submissions to Government on behalf of the industry • sources funding for industry projects

Who are we? Our Vision The western rock lobster fishery is an iconic global leader in sustainable fisheries management. Our Mission The western rock lobster industry will be confident, sustainable and well respected.

Organisational Structure TACC Committee Strategy & Risk Committee WRL Board Finance & Audit Committee Fishing Operations Committee Chief Executive Officer Industry Partnership Agreement Committee Finance & Communications & Executive Assistant Local Lobster Program Working Group Administration Officer Research Officer Abrolhos Islands Management Working Group

Changes in fishing practice • One of the first limited entry fisheries in the world and utilised a sophisticated Individual Transferrable Effort based system for over 20 years. • In 2009/10 a nominal Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was introduced. • In 2010/11 the fishery began the transition to an Individually Transferable Quota (ITQ) fishery. • In 2013, a new management plan came into effect and completed the fishery’s transition to an ITQ system. • Year round fishing • Removal of the ‘race to fish’ • Improved efficiencies • Reduced costs

Target - $1 billion GVP by 2028 WRL has identified the following seven highest priority strategies currently available to drive GVP growth and in turn create jobs , generate economic activity and increase revenue to the State Government: 1. Increase the TACC and supply 2. New markets and in-market promotion to increase demand 3. Maximise the value of every lobster 4. Increase productivity through digital technology 5. Lobster enhancement and aquaculture 6. Leverage off other industries like tourism and agriculture 7. Establish a national institute for lobster research in Perth

Economic Contribution 2017

Economic Contribution 2017 • In 2017 engaged ACIL Allen to undertake a study to calculate the economic contribution of the Western Rock Lobster industry to the Western Australian economy . • This is the first time the economic contribution of our State’s iconic western rock lobster industry has been formally assessed and quantified . • The ACIL Allen study found the industry is a sophisticated , sustainable and serious industry which is critically important to our State .

A critically important industry to our State

How do these results compare? • The direct economic contribution of the western rock lobster industry ($282 million) to the WA economy is greater than : • WA’s shipbuilding industry • Beer manufacturing • Dairy industry • Coal mining industry • WRL exports are WA’s 14th largest merchandise export , ranking alongside live animal exports, and 7 times the export earnings of the dairy industry. • Total employment generated by the industry (2,437 FTEs) is greater than the number of people employed in any of the ‘Big 4 Banks’ in WA.

GVP Comparison to WA Primary Industries

Economic contribution by location

World Leaders in Sustainability

World leaders in sustainability • Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified • 2000 - First wild caught fishery in the world to be independently certified as ecologically sustainable by the MSC • 2017 – First to be recertified for a fourth successive time • World leaders in whale entanglement mitigation measures

Risk Assessment Strategic Plan R&D Priorities

Risk Dashboard • Demonstrates responsible leadership and innovation through identification and management of all risks associated with long-term management of the fishery • Better understanding of the risks that may adversely affect the rock lobster industry • Identifies the mitigation and management measures that can be undertaken to address them

Strategic Plan 2018-21 • Identification of industry risks informs the WRL Strategic Plan and priorities tactics, including industry R&D

Industry Research and Development

Understanding the Markets for WRL Market and trade data for TACC Committee • Prices, volumes and destinations • Competitor prices, volumes and destinations • Size curve and volume capacity, spatial mapping, positioning Consumer research • Changing market behaviours • Decision making influences Market Dashboard (similar to Meat & Livestock Australia)

Digitising the WRL Industry • Scope digital platform needed for future applications • Real time quota trading platform • Online OH&S standards and reporting • Investigate data collection and analysis innovations from other fisheries and industries • Possible opportunities • Improved catching application with auto data entry that could include float/pot id and lobster scanners (size, weight, sex, etc) • Digitised microdots for traceability from catch to plate • New monitoring and sensor technologies (lobster, processing and environment)

Australasian Institute for Spiny Lobster Research • produce far superior R&D , innovation , institutional funding, grant funding and return on investment across the entire value chain • drive GVP growth and create new jobs , especially if coupled with tourism and possibly outsourced retail opportunities • provide a focus for the specific WA lobster related research needs in science , economics and product development .

www.westernrocklobster.org Thank you