Due to concerns about the "antibiotics" issue, Australia has urgently halted the export of rock lobster to China.

Core alert: Just hours after the start of the fishing season, Tasmania, Australia (Tas) urgently halted lobster exports to China. The reason was that nearby salmon farms were exposed to be using the antibiotic "florfenicol." To avoid any risk of affecting the export qualification to China, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Tas swiftly decided to close two lobster fishing areas in the southeast, with reopening times to be announced later.

The head of the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Association, Jane McGowan, emphasized that this measure "is not due to the harm of drugs to the human body," but rather due to a high regard for Chinese market requirements. China's import standards are stringent, and if any antibiotic residues are detected in lobsters, they may be rejected outright. Australian marine expert Midson pointed out that it is expected that the fishing grounds will resume in "a few weeks," but the current suspension decision highlights Australia's reliance on and caution towards the Chinese market. Tasmanian rock lobsters have always been known for being "purely wild, without antibiotics," which is also their core selling point in the high-end market. However, the Tasmanian salmon industry previously encountered a large-scale mortality event, and the local government approved the use of flubenol in emergency situations this year. This temporary measure, although a "lifesaver" for the aquaculture industry, ...