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South Australia — rock lobster exports

State companion to Federal — crustacean exports.

Five-year context (May 2021 – May 2026): Federal retrospective — Marshall premier to Mar 2022; Malinauskas + Scriven from Mar 2022; export surge Jan 2025.

Verified

  • Species: Southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii); northern and southern zones; ITQ/TACC (PIRSA).
  • ~250 licence holders (SA Premier Jan 2025).
  • Seafood Export Growth Program — $475,000 (July 2024): diversification and China re-entry (SA State Development).
  • January 2025: ~400 t, $33.5m to China (ABS data cited by government) (SA Premier).
  • Export via Adelaide airport; record seafood tonnage cited (SA Premier).
  • Limestone Coast exports also use Melbourne airport (LCFC).

Tension with WA (see federal entry)

  • Same China live market; different dominant species (SA southern vs WA western) — federal analysis.
  • Inferred: SA rapid rebound narrative vs WA pre-ban volume leaderWA-SA tension; not a formal interstate dispute in cited sources.

Key politicians

Current (federal context): Peter Malinauskas (Premier) · Clare Scriven (PIRSA / fisheries) · Joe Szakacs (trade releases 2024–25; not PIRSA)

Previous: Steven Marshall (Premier to Mar 2022)

Full roster: Federal crustacean exports — key people

Political finance