Catch Methods
Our lobsters are all hand caught by divers on the tropical reefs of North Queensland and the Torres Strait. With no use of pots, traps, nets or even bait there is negligible interference with the natural environment, making this the least environmentally impactful lobster fishery in the world. Bycatch and gear entanglement do not exist in this fishery.
Divers use three catch methods.
Hookah Diving
This is where air from a small compressor on the surface is supplied to divers via a floating hose. It is the primary catch method used across the fishery as it allows divers to move more freely compared to using traditional scuba gear.
Free Diving
Favoured by some traditional island fisherman in the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea, this method is as simple (and difficult) as holding your breath as you enter the water to search for lobster.
Lantern Fishing
This unique method of night-time fishing has been used for 1000’s of years. It is where a light is carried out on shallow reefs to spot lobster from the surface. There are early recordings of fishermen lighting up the reefs with coconut husk flares and while technology has progressed from fire to kerosene lanterns, to spotlights, the concept has continued in the region for countless generations.