The state government, earlier this year, imposed weekend bans on commercial fishing and restrictions on pot use. The restrictions were to help protect future stocks.

With the lobster season ending on 30th June, the catch is expected to be about 7,400 tonnes, well below the average 11,000 tonnes.

Fishermen will be holding talks next month about management options.

These could range from continuing the restrictions to a complete overhaul of the way the catch is controlled.

A Two Rocks fisherman said: “The catch hasn’t been too bad, it’s the state government that caused all the problems.”

Concerns about the future of the fishery prompted the previous state government and current Fisheries Minister, Norman Moore, to impose the restrictions.

The WA Rock Lobster Fishers Feberation said reductions in the catch combined with no improvement in beach prices had pushed some operators to the limit.

The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee, which advises the minister will meet next week to adopt a preliminary position on controls for next season.

Mr Moore said research and data indicated failure to act would have jeopardised the industry’s long-term viability.