The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has announced that it is undertaking the first nationwide assessment of the status of key Australian fish stocks.
ABARES fisheries analyst, Robert Curtotti, said the bureau is compiling the fish stock report with input from the Commonwealth and the states and Northern Territory governments in partnership with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
“Consumption of seafood is increasing in Australia and for the first time there will be a single information source that covers 50 fish stocks, based primarily on their contribution to the value of Australian fisheries,” Mr Curtotti said.
The National Fishery Status Report is not aimed at being an eco-labelling guide, but rather a scientifically robust, simple tool for fishers, seafood consumers, interested members of the public, policy makers and managers to better understand the status of the key wild capture fish stocks around Australia.
“When completed, this report will be available online in an easy-to-understand format. As part of the next stage, our FRDC partners plan to develop an ‘app’ for smart phones that will feature information about sustainable fisheries and seafood,” Mr Curtotti said.
“Australians care about our oceans and are increasingly seeking information on how we manage our fisheries. The choices of seafood consumers and retailers are more and more influenced by the perceived sustainability of the seafood products. We are working with our colleagues from all state and territory fishery agencies to make sure information on Australia’s fish stocks is readily and easily available.”
