The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) today confirmed it already had recovery strategies in place to address the depleted stocks of the 11 commercial fish species identified in a report released by the Bureau of Rural Sciences.

AFMA Chair Dr Wendy Craik said the Authority had already identified these ‘overfished’ species and would continue to carefully manage them within Australian fishing zones with new management plan arrangements and stringent controls on allowable catches.

The 2000-01 Commonwealth Fishery Status Report found that the number of overfished species  (where the catch exceeds the long-term sustainable yield) had increased to 11 out of 67.

However, more than half of the fish stocks were classified as uncertain by the Bureau due to insufficient scientific information (35 out of 67).

Dr Craik said examples of AFMA’s proactive approach to overfished species were management arrangements for eastern gemfish and Bass Strait scallops.

She said both of these had been effectively closed to commercial fishing in an effort to promote recovery of these stocks to normal levels.

“Other stocks, such as the Southern Bluefin Tuna, are subject to a stringent recovery plan in partnership with the fishing industry, and internationally with other fishing nations.

“I am pleased to say however, that in relation to each and every one of the 11 overfished stocks identified by the Bureau, AFMA has binding management arrangements and recovery plans in place.

“AFMA has also introduced action plans to address the problems associated with bycatch in an effort to protect threatened or endangered species from the impacts of commercial fishing wherever possible.”

Dr Craik said it was however likely that some species would remain classified as overfished for the forseeable future.

“It will take time to reverse years of overfishing. For example, it is estimated that between 1970 to 1992, fishing removed more than 50,000 tonnes of eastern gemfish from the stock.

“As gemfish are a long-lived species, it will be a long while before we see major signs of recovery.

“Compared to other fishing nations, Australia has a good record when it comes to sustainably managing our fish resources and taking the hard decisions needed.”

Dr Craik said she hoped that the report would generate further debate in the commercial fishing industry and wider community about the need for careful management and the ongoing sustainability of fishing stocks.

“Many of the classifications have come about as our level of scientific knowledge about certain fish stocks has improved dramatically and our understanding of other environmental factors has increased.

“Indeed, the need for more research about some species and the impact of fishing on the broader marine environment is a priority for AFMA and other key agencies such as the CSIRO and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.”

Dr Craik said Australia’s performance in fisheries management had improved significantly over the past 10 years but more work remained to be done in consultation with fishers and other government agencies such as Environment Australia.

“This is particularly crucial as we move towards ecosystem-based management approaches to our fisheries,” she concluded.

Contact:  Simon Latimer (AFMA Communications):
(02) 6272 4844 (work)
0409 567 424 (mobile)

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is the agency responsible for ensuring the sustainable use and efficient management of Commonwealth fisheries resources on behalf of the Australian community. AFMA manages fisheries within the 200 nautical mile Australian Fishing Zone.