Unease across Tasman

Photo / Supplied

Tasmanian crayfishers say they fear that New Zealand could capitalise on Australia's predicted rock lobster shortage next month.

The South Australian government has banned fishing during October, and has capped quotas at 1250 tonnes until stocks recover.

Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen's Association chief executive Rodney Treloggen said Tasmanians usually did not fish in October, and with South Australia out of the market it could lead to shortage of stock supplying Asian markets.

New Zealand would take full advantage of the demand, he told the ABC.

- NZPA