The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Commission has approved the sustainable catch limit increase of 2000 tonnes for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF).
The latest science shows that fish stocks are on the rise, and this is the fourth season in a row where the aggregate catch limits have sustainably increased in this major fishery.
Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, attended the AFMA Commission meeting in Port Lincoln, Australia, this week and said the increased science-based catch limit was good news for fish lovers across Australia.
“The news today that the total amount of allowed commercial catch in the SESSF will be eight per cent higher than the previous season just goes to show that the strong management led by Australian Fisheries Management Authority is paying dividends”, Senator Colbeck said.
“Much of the increase was for the popular blue grenadier (or hoki), reflecting the ongoing healthy status of the stock. Importantly, consumers can have confidence when eating one of the many species commercial fished in the SESSF like blue grenadier, flathead, gummy shark or whiting that it is from a sustainable, well managed fishery.”
The latest ABARES Fishery status report shows that for the first time in many years no solely managed Commonwealth fishery is subject to overfishing.
The Chair of the AFMA Commission, the Hon Norman Moore, said AFMA’s use of the best available science and strict management regulations means Australians can have confidence that Commonwealth fisheries will remain sustainable both now and well into the future.
