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Top Species million pounds from Hon- duras and about 4 million pounds from Nicaragua. Australia is also an exporter to the United States, but at a much lower amount. In 2011, the United States imported about 780,000 pounds from Australia, and about 732,000 pounds from South Africa. Barry Markman, owner of Mark Foods in New York, imports lobster tails from Australia, South Africa and Brazil. Despite the glut of North American product, he says it hasn't yet impacted the markets he deals in, but says it could in the future. Markman's focus is also somewhat different than that for Canadian and Maine lob- ster, he says, noting he sells to white-tablecloth restaurants rather than retail or lower- priced restaurants. Spiny lob- ster from South Africa and Australia yields a higher meat- to-shell ratio and is considered a more consistent product, says Markman, which makes it attractive to restaurateurs. Still, lobster imports from Western Australia have dropped considerably, he says, with just 200,000 pounds finding its way into the United States vs. 2 mil- lion a few years ago. Te change is due to in- creased demand for live lob- sters in Asia, says Markman, along with changes in quotas and fishing practices that yield more exportable live lobsters. Te Western Australia rock lobster fishery recently moved to an individual transferrable quota (ITQ) system with the catch dramatically reduced compared to historic levels, says Ryan Fuller, export sales and production manager for Kailis Brothers in Canning Vale, Australia. As a result, he says, prices are strong. Te sustainable catch for the fishery is evaluated each sea- son by the governing body, he says. Fuller concurs that most of the lobster is being exported live to China "and this per- centage has increased (to 90 percent) since the introduc- tion of the quota." Western rock lobster is considered su- perior to most lobsters on the market in China, he notes, while the New Zealand and Southern Australia rock lob- ster are the only species that sell for higher prices. Lobsters in Australia are landed on the West Coast from Bunbury to as far north as Kalbarri, says Fuller, "and the competition for securing product is always fierce." Northern Australia has yielded a consistent supply and price for the past several years and that has led to a steady market, says Markman. Brazil's season began in June with a catch that Bra- zilian suppliers say is 25 to 30 percent off from the previous year, says Markman. Prices have fluctuated, with beach prices rising recently, although they began the sea- son down about 5 percent "Value-added maximizes efficiencies in production and helps to increase the value of lobster for all partners in the sales chain." — Michael Tourkistas, president and CEO, East Coast Seafood from last year, he says. Te ex-warehouse wholesale prices for 12- to 14-ounce tails was $12.75 in early August. As product from Honduras, Nicaragua and the Bahamas starts to arrive, Markman says he'll be watching to see what happens with Brazil's prices. Contributing Editor Joanne Friedrick lives in Portland, Maine 2012 DATE CHANGE! Tuesday, Nov 27 Wednesday, Nov 28 Thursday, Nov 29 For the first time in many years Pacific Marine Expo will be held after Thanksgiving, so when your holiday weekend wraps up, plan to head down to the show. From bow to stern, Pacific Marine Expo is the one-stop source for all your vessel needs. Save $30! Register before the show and admission is FREE with this promotional code: 104257 PacificMarineExpo PacMarineExpo Presented by: pacificmarineexpo.com 800-454-3005 To exhibit call: Chris Dimmerling 800-368-7932 Produced by: The Total Boat Solution Pacific Marine Expo November 27 - 29, 2012 Seattle, WA CenturyLink Field Event Center pacificmarineexpo.com Outlook Calendar Scan to add to 30 SeaFood Business September 2012 Visit us online at www.seafoodbusiness.com