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The Australian Fisheries
Management Authority (AFMA) will allow
commercial scallop fishing to resume next month in an
area of Bass Strait which has been closed for four
years.
AFMA Managing Director Frank Meere said the Authority
had decided to permit fishing in several previously
closed areas near Flinders Island (SEE ACCOMPANYING
MAP
PDF 65KB) after scientific surveys found significant
increases in the extent and maturity of scallop beds.
Mr Meere said the areas would reopen on June 1 with
the Total Allowable Catch initially set at 2,350
tonnes, increasing progressively to 3,700 tonnes on 1
July and then to 5,050 tonnes on 1 August.
He said the individual catch limits for each fishing
permit holder would also increase concurrently, from
15.2 tonnes on 1 June to 23.9 tonnes on 1 July and
then to 32.6 tonnes on 1 August.
Mr Meere said AFMA recognised that many scallop
fishers had experienced considerable hardship in
recent years.
"Due to a drastic decline in catch rates and concern
for the sustainability of the species, the Bass Strait
Central Zone Scallop Fishery* was closed in 1999.
Since then, the known commercial scallop beds have
remained closed with only limited activity occurring
in other areas of the fishery.
"Annual independent scientific surveys of known
scallop beds have been carried out since 2000 to
provide advice on the size, age, abundance and
distribution of the species.
"The latest surveys conducted earlier this year have
indicated that the northern part of the previously
closed area can be reopened to commercial activity
while still providing adequate protection for the
overall sustainability of the scallop stocks.
"AFMA's decision is obviously good news for scallop
fishers as it will provide them with the opportunity
to go fishing on known scallop beds for the first time
in several years.
"The Authority notes that there has been a reduction
in the capacity of the scallop processing sector over
recent years, and urges scallop fishers to work with
the scallop processing sector to avoid inundating
processors and to ensure they can achieve the best
return from the available scallop catch.
"The reopening of the area will also give AFMA badly
needed catch and effort information which will
supplement the results of the scientific survey, and
also add significantly to the data available for use
in longer term management of this fishery," Mr Meere
concluded.
* Under arrangements agreed between the
Commonwealth and States, AFMA manages scallop fishing
in waters between Victoria and Tasmania, generally
from 20 nautical miles out from each state's
coastline.
Simon Latimer
Communications Manager
Australian Fisheries Management Authority
Telephone (02) 6272 4844
Mobile 0409 567424
Simon.Latimer@afma.gov.au
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