A total of 65 stocks (69 per cent) out of the 94 fish stocks reviewed across 22 fisheries in Australia were found not to be overfished or not subject to overfishing, as it was informed by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).
In its report, Fishery status reports 2017, ABARES shows that for the fourth consecutive year there were no stocks classified as subject to overfishing in any fisheries managed solely by the Australian governmenta measure important in ensuring sustainable levels of harvest.
The reports reflect a positive change in status of the commercial scallop stock in the central Bass Strait, which has had an uncertain biomass and fishing mortality status for a number of years, but is now classified as not overfished and not subject to overfishing, pointed out ABARES Executive Director, Steve Hatfield-Dodds.
On the other hand, the director commented that a number of stocks managed solely by the Australian Government remain classified as overfished and it is uncertain whether stocks will rebuild under the current level of fishing mortality but ensured the Australian Fisheries Management Authority continues to work with stakeholders on rebuilding strategies for overfished stocks.
There is also one stock that is internationally managed and fished by several nationsbigeye tuna in the western and central Pacific Oceanthat is both subject to overfishing and overfished. Yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean is also subject to overfishing, Dr Hatfield-Dodds stressed.
He also explained that the reports also look at the economic performance of Commonwealth fisheries, with AUD 439 million (USD 343.9 million) generated in gross value of production (GVP) in 201516, which represents 26 per cent of Australia’s total wild capture fisheries GVP of AUD 1.7 billion (USD 1.3 billion).
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