CLOSED fishing zones and recreational bag-size reductions have made putting lobster on the Christmas table all the more special this year.
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Luckily, there are still plenty of places people can pick up their festive foods across the state this week.
Salty Seas at St Helens is preparing for its biggest week of trade, with owner Anita Paulsen excited for what she said was a joyful time to be doing business.
"The big lobsters are our 'Tassie turkeys' - I've had regulars come back for up to 10 years to get them," she said.
Despite rock lobster - or crayfish as they're colloquially called - fetching more than $100 a kilo, Ms Paulsen said trade was still strong, with most customers preparing accordingly for theirChristmas feast. "With seafood being a luxury item, people want to make sure they have that item covered," she said.
Sharon Tricker, of George Town Seafoods, said it was positive to see people embrace fresh local produce over other wintry, northern hemisphere-inspired Christmas foods.
"Crays, oysters, prawns, salmon and scallops are more of a traditional Christmas food for the Australian people," she said.
"I'd recommend coming in early on Thursday for the best fish selections."
