For small-scale fishers along South Africa’s east coast, East Coast Rock Lobster (ECRL) represents more than just a catch - it’s an economic lifeline. Yet, despite the high value of this species, fishers have long faced barriers to market access due to cold chain logistics, processing limitations, and quality control challenges. ABALOBI, in collaboration with Rekaseed (Pty) Ltd, launched a pilot project to address these hurdles and unlock new opportunities for fishers. Here’s how it unfolded.
The Challenge: From Ocean to Marketplace
Despite being a sought-after product, East Coast Rock Lobster (ECRL) has struggled to reach high-value markets due to several obstacles:
Lack of processing facilities: Many fishers resort to makeshift solutions like tethering their lobsters in rock pools or using perforated sacks at landing sites—methods that leave the catch vulnerable to theft, environmental damage, or loss.
Cold chain breakdowns: Without access to reliable cold storage and transportation, maintaining premium product quality is nearly impossible.
Remote landing sites & poor infrastructure: Many cooperatives are located in rural areas with poor road networks, making transportation costly and time-consuming.
These challenges meant that fishers were often forced to sell at lower prices to local intermediaries rather than securing better deals through direct-to-market channels.
The Pilot Project: Rekaseed & ABALOBI Step In
Recognising the potential of ECRL as a premium seafood product, ABALOBI partnered with Rekaseed (Pty) Ltd to test a structured supply chain model.
Aggregation & Processing: Rekaseed established a central aggregation facility where lobsters from multiple cooperatives were collected, processed, and stored under strict cold chain conditions.
Refrigerated Transport: A dedicated cold chain logistics system was introduced, allowing lobsters to be transported safely over long distances without compromising quality.
- Quality Testing: Lobster batches underwent food safety laboratory tests and sensory evaluations by culinary professionals to ensure they met market standards.
The Outcome: Lessons from the First Market Trial
In late 2024, ABALOBI purchased 200kg of ECRL from Rekaseed to assess the viability of integrating this product into the ABALOBI Marketplace. However, the trial highlighted key areas for improvement:
Cold chain inconsistencies: Despite best efforts, lapses in temperature control during transport affected product quality.
Market feedback: While some batches met expectations, others fell short, emphasising the need for tighter quality assurance protocols.
Insurance claims: Losses due to quality issues led to insurance claims with transport providers, reinforcing the importance of reliable logistics partners.
Scaling the Impact: The Future of ECRL Market Access
While this initial trial surfaced challenges, it also validated the potential of structured supply chains for small-scale fisheries. Moving forward, ABALOBI and Rekaseed are focusing on:
- Improving transport logistics with better tracking systems and temperature monitoring.
- Expanding processing capabilities to maintain consistent quality at scale.
- Building fisher capacity to meet stringent market requirements and certifications.
By bridging infrastructure gaps and strengthening partnerships, this initiative is paving the way for small-scale fishers to access premium markets, secure better prices, and ensure long-term sustainability.
This is more than just a pilot project - it’s a blueprint for transforming small-scale fisheries into competitive market players. And for the fishers who have long relied on traditional methods, it’s a step toward a more stable, profitable, and sustainable future.