One shell of a deal: Woolworths introduces half price WA Rock Lobsters for Christmas

With Christmas two weeks away and shoppers looking for great value for their family entertaining, Woolworths is offering West Australian Rock Lobsters at just $20/each, half the price they were this time last year.

The Rock Lobsters are supplied from a number of fishing families spread across Western Australia's coast, and Woolworths estimates customers will feast on more than 35 tonnes of lobster this year, compared to just 6.5 tonnes last year.

Woolworths' support of the lobster industry with the purchase of five times more product than last year, comes at a time when many businesses have been heavily disrupted by export restrictions.

Woolworths Head of Meat and Seafood, Tim Dudding said: 'Lobsters have traditionally been considered a luxury item on the Christmas table, so we're pleased to be making them accessible to more families this year, while also supporting the local industry.

'Our support in purchasing more rock lobsters this year will give WA producers an avenue to move more volume into the domestic market which would have traditionally been exported. It's a win-win partnership, and we look forward to working with the industry to offer Australian households the chance to add premium seafood to their Christmas table this year at a more affordable price.'

The Western Rock Lobster variety is mainly found on the continental shelf between Perth and Geraldton. West Australia's rock lobster fishery has received international acknowledgement as one of the best managed and most sustainable in the world.

Matthew Rutter, CEO of Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative based in WA said: 'It's been a tough year for Australian seafood exporters and the latest restrictions have further challenged many businesses, but Woolworths' decision to range more WA Rock Lobsters in supermarkets across Australia makes a big difference for fisher owned co-ops like ours.

'Most of our members live and work in regional coastal communities where the economic activity from the fishing industry is vital to the social and economic fabric.

'We're hopeful more Aussies can enjoy an iconic delicacy like WA Rock Lobster with their loved ones this Christmas and they can take pride knowing they're supporting regional communities and sustainable Australian fishing.'

Customers looking for ways to best include lobsters on their Christmas spread can visit the Woolworths recipe list, including delicious meals and side dishes such as creamy lobster spaghetti, a lobster salad with coconut coriander dressing, or simply dress the cooked lobsters with a coconut, lime & lemongrass dressing.

WA Rock Lobsters will be available in store and online from today [Friday 11 December] and progressively through the weekend across Australia, while stocks last.

About GFC:
Established in 1950, Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative is 100 per cent owned by fishermen and license holders supplying the Co-operative, and is operated for the benefit of members and the communities in which they operate. GFC specialises in the processing and exporting of Western Rock Lobster. With approximately 60 per cent of Western Australia's commercial rock lobster catch flowing through its supply chain, GFC is the world's largest rock lobster processor and is a significant contributor to the WA economy. It supports more than thousands of fishermen, employees, licence holders and their family members along a thousand kilometres of WA's coastline.