← Field Guide
Southern Rock Lobster (Crayfish)
Jasus edwardsii
The jewel of the Southern Ocean — sweet, firm and prized worldwide.
Open season November to May
From boat to bench
Rock lobster are taken in slatted timber or steel pots dropped onto deep reef country. Local licensed boats work fixed quotas and pull pots at dawn. Lobster are kept live in salt-water tanks all the way to the processing floor to guarantee condition.
Health benefit
Lean protein high in copper, selenium and B12 with very little fat.
Easy Recipe
Grilled Lobster with Garlic Butter, Chips & Lemon Slaw
Serves 2·35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 whole rock lobster, split lengthways
- 80g butter, 2 garlic cloves crushed, 1 tbsp parsley
- Lemon to serve
- 4 large potatoes, cut into chips
- Oil for frying, sea salt
- 1/4 fennel bulb and 1/4 white cabbage, shaved
- Juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dijon
Method
- 01Soak chips, pat dry, then fry at 140°C for 6 minutes; lift and rest.
- 02Toss fennel and cabbage with lemon, olive oil, dijon and salt for the slaw.
- 03Bring oil back to 180°C and fry chips a second time until golden and crisp; salt.
- 04Heat the grill to high and melt butter with garlic and parsley.
- 05Brush the lobster flesh generously with the butter.
- 06Grill flesh-side up for 6–8 minutes until just opaque.
- 07Serve the lobster with chips, slaw and lemon wedges alongside.
