A day in the life of a scientific fisheries observer
This month, SETFIA caught up with an AFMA observer David Schubert, aka ‘Observer Dave’, to get an idea of what it is like to be a fisheries observer. David has been an AFMA seagoing observer for 10 years and is well placed to share his insights, highlights and challenges of the job. How did you […]
Conservation Banking and Offsetting Interruption to the Fishing Industry
Conservation banking is a market-based method designed to offset adverse environmental impacts. Conservation banks provide the opportunity for a proponent to offset the environmental impacts of their project by purchasing conservation credits. These credits are investments such as permanently protected parcels of land that preserve at-risk species and their habitat. Investment through credits allows the pooling […]
Mandatory electronic logbooks in the South East Trawl Fishery
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has announced that, as of 1 May 2018, all South East Trawl (SET) vessels that have fished more than 50 days in either the 2016 or 2017 fishing seasons will be required to use electronic logbooks (e-logs) to report on their fishing operations. SETFIA members have resolved to support this move. Up […]
Bogus Bream
A company has successfully applied to trademark the name ‘Kariba Bream’ for an imported species with IP Australia. IP Australia is the Australian Government agency that grants intellectual property (IP) rights and legislation relating to patents, trademarks and designs. IP Australia’ vision is to have a world leading IP system that “builds prosperity for Australia”. […]
Tony’s pink ling with a kick
SETFIA is encouraging all Australians to enjoy locally sourced, fresh, sustainable seafood this festive season. So, to provide inspiration for your holiday menus we asked Tony Guarnaccia, a fisherman and SETFIA member, to share his favourite seafood recipe with us. Tony’s pink ling with a kick Ingredients 2 medium sized fillets of fresh Australian pink […]
Fishy Business in the South China Sea
The South China Sea (SCS) is a 3.2 million square kilometre sea at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Given its location and proximity to so many countries, the SCS is a gateway for a significant amount of the world’s […]
Recycling fishing gear
All vessels in Australia have a responsibility not to pollute the sea and to be aware of the laws about oil and garbage pollution from vessels. Pollution of the marine environment by ships, including fishing vessels, is strictly controlled by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as MARPOL). To minimise […]
Are SET boats fishing efficiently?
Australian fisheries, including the South East Trawl Fishery (SETF), are recognised as some of the best managed in the world. Restrictions on the amount of fish that can be caught, the total number of boats that can fish, the type of gear that can be used and sustainable quotas ensure that fish stocks are exploited […]
What’s an otilith?
Otoliths are hard, calcium carbonate structures located directly behind the brain of bony fishes. Sometime also referred to as ‘ear stones’, they are used by fish for hearing and balance and help the fish know which way is up. Otoliths range in size from one-tenth of an inch to one inch long and are found […]
Austral Fisheries win Banksia award
SETFIA member Austral Fisheries have won the Banksia Foundation’s 2017 Small to Medium Business Sustainability Leadership Award, for their work within the Australian fisheries landscape over the past 20 years. Their work in Australia’s Northern Prawn and sub-Antarctic fisheries is explained in this video. These fisheries were some of the first in Australia to be […]