AFMA Observer collecting information on Patagonian toothfish.
Ever wondered about the management of Australia’s sub-Antarctic fisheries? Given how chilly it is at the moment, we thought the readers of AFMA News might be interested in some research being conducted where it is even colder!
The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania has recently published an article about current research which is helping reveal how the Patagonian toothfish population is distributed across the Australian and French Territories on the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Plateau (See: Ever wondered about the management of Australia’s sub-Antarctic fisheries).
Now in it’s third year, the FRDC-funded project is a collaboration with researchers from IMAS, Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), France’s Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, and fishing industry companies Australian Longline Pty Ltd and Austral Fisheries. The project is a great example of how scientists, government, and industry are working together internationally to increase knowledge about our marine environment.
AFMA proudly supports this research. We have observers on board all Commonwealth vessels fishing in the Antarctic region. The observers collect toothfish biological information including otoliths (ear bones), release tagged fish and collect details on any recaptures.
The information collected by observers contributes significantly to knowledge of the fishery and the target species, Patagonian toothfish, as well as contributing to the information required to set total allowable catch limits. Sustainable fisheries management will ensure the stock is here for many more generations.
More information on the management of Australia’s management of Southern Ocean fisheries can be found at afma.gov.au. Information about the Antarctic and Antarctic research can be found at antarctica.gov.au