The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has reported positive scientific trends in fish stocks resulting in the increase of catch limits for key species at the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery.
It says that this means that there will be more local fish on Aussie tables during the 2012-13 fishing season.
The AFMA puts this down to the vital roles that the South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and the Great Australian Bight Industry Association (GABIA) have played in setting sustainable catch limits in the fishery.
Dr James Findlay, chief executive office at AFMA, said: “The improvement that we are seeing in fish stocks is great news for industry and consumers.”
Total allowable catch in the fishery has risen by 6% from 23,106 tonnes last season to 24,519 tonnes this season.
The catch limit has increased for nine key species including Blue Grenadier, whose catch limit has gone up from 4,700 tonnes to 5,200 tonnes per year because of strong stocks.
It’s not all good news though – scientific evidence has shown that catch limits of some species need to be reduced to ensure healthy stocks in future. Six species will be affected including School Shark.
