Rock Lobster

Also known as the southern rock lobster, red rock lobster, or spiny rock lobster, is a species of spiny lobster native to coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly referred to as crayfish, and in Māori, it is known as kōura. Unlike true lobsters, they do not have large pincers on their first pair of walking legs.

Length: Measured by tail width – from 54mm (males) to over 100mm (large females)

Average Weight: 0.6–1kg, but some are found to be over 5kg 

Rock lobsters are harvested year-round, with typically lower catches during their moulting and mating period from February to May. The highest catches are usually recorded between June and November, though this can vary regionally. New Zealand has nine fisheries management areas specifically designated for rock lobsters.

Rock lobster is a good source of Copper, Selenium, Phosphorus and Vitamin B12; and a source of Magnesium, Iodine, Zinc, Potassium and Niacin (vitamin B3). It is a highly nutritious food and is a great source of protein, low in saturated fat and a good source of Omega 3.

Chill the lobster in the freezer for at least an hour before cooking to dispatch it. When cooking freshly killed lobsters, boiling them in salted water transforms the flesh from translucent to opaque. For lobsters weighing 600-800g, boil for 10 minutes or steam for 15-18 minutes. If grilling, par-boil for 5 minutes, then cool in an ice bath, remove the meat, and grill flesh-side down with oil or butter for approximately 5 minutes per side. Take care not to overcook the lobster to avoid toughening the flesh; cook until it just begins to turn opaque.

Red rock lobsters are harvested extensively around the North and South Islands, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands. Another species, the packhorse rock lobster, is primarily found in the northern regions of the North Island. These lobsters are significant to Maori, commercial, and recreational fishers, with their populations closely monitored.

For red rock lobsters, periodic stock assessments inform management strategies that enable timely adjustments to catch limits based on abundance fluctuations. These adaptive measures have facilitated rapid stock recovery when necessary, with targeted abundance levels aimed at sustaining high catch rates.