Strong prices for Australian rock lobster, driven by demand from China, mean fishermen are investing in new vessels, reports ABC.

One fishermen, Clay Bass, said he is spending AUD 4 million on a new vessel which will hold 6.5 metric tons of catch. When completed, this will be the biggest lobster boat in Australia.

Most western rock lobster is exported to China and recently the industry was found to contribute AUD 500m annually to the Western Australia economy.

For sale to China, “the lobster have to be in premium condition, and I want to be able to hold more lobster in that absolute premium condition”,  Bass told ABC.