The International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology began in 1977 when a group of 37 lobster biologists from 6 countries met in Perth, Australia to discuss and compare their work on lobster ecology, physiology, and early stock management protocols, and to find common themes amongst the different species that were commercially fished.

These conferences are held every 3 to 5 years and try to alternate from the northern to southern hemispheres. Participation has risen and held at approximately 200 people from 20 countries. Subsequent ICWLs have been held in Saint Andrews, Canada (1985); La Habana, Cuba (1990); Sanriku, Japan (1993); Queenstown, New Zealand (1997); Key West, Florida USA (2000); Hobart, Australia (2004); Charlottetown, PEI, Canada (2007); Bergen, Norway (2011); and Cancun, Mexico (2014). This year it will be held in Portland, Maine USA (4-9 June 2017).

The tangible impact of these conferences is in the network of international collaborations they spawn and the resulting peer-reviewed publications in the conference proceedings and book chapters. There is synergy in the exchange of ideas and knowledge amongst biologists, managers, fishermen, and dealers from different parts of the world as we face the challenges of a changing environment and a global economy.

The Western Rock Lobster Council and Department of Fisheries, Western Australia (DoF) have stewardship of Australia's largest lobster fishery, the research and management of which is considered to be world class.
They see that this may be an important part of their plans for a Lobster CRC.

The 12th ICWL currently does not have a venue and it is due to be held in the southern hemisphere in 2020.