Quotas in the South East increase 600 tonnes

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) have stated that increasing productivity of wild fish stocks has allowed an increase in the sustainable seafood harvest catch limits for a number of key species in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF). The South East Trawl Fishery is part of the SESSF.
Catch limits for popular table fish such as flake and whiting have increased in the 2013/14 fishing season following scientific advice showing stocks are healthy and increased catches can be sustained.
The fishing season opened on 1 May 2013 with the total allowable catch limits increasing for 11 of 34 species, including Gummy Shark, Silver Trevally, Mirror Dory and School Whiting and catch limits for most other species remaining stable.
There will be a net increase in the aggregation of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits this season of more than 600 tonnes, which is great news for the fishing industry and seafood consumers.
AFMA CEO Dr James Findlay said that this was a pleasing result with strict management and world leading science ensuring the sustainability of our fisheries for years to come.
“The overall improvement in fish stocks is a result of strong science-based management and an industry dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the fishery and their business. Ultimately this means more fresh, sustainable, local fish on Australian tables and more fishing jobs in rural and regional Australia”.
AFMA has also recognised the significant contributions that all members of its Management Advisory Committees and Resource Assessment Groups, as well as stakeholder bodies, have made to sound fisheries management over many years.