Click for larger view of the map
To help protect the eastern Pink Ling stock, we have put in place closures and trip limits to prevent overfishing.
Currently, Pink Ling in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery is managed under a single total allowable catch for both eastern and western stocks (see map above).
While the western stock is looking good at around the target level the eastern stock is sitting lower at around 26% of its unfished biomass. This places the eastern stock near the 20% biomass limit for an “overfished” stock. Typically, AFMA will impose very strict management measures for a stock below the 20% level.
AFMA, in consultation with industry and South East Management Advisory Committee, is implementing management measures to limit the catch of Pink Ling in the eastern zone of the fishery for the remainder of the 2013-14 fishing season to help rebuild the stock.
These measures consist of full year closures that have been implemented in Maria Canyon, Everard Horseshoe and Seiners Horseshoe and a more recent daily catch allowance of 50kg. The more recent closure came into force on the 26th September 2013 and limits landings of Pink Ling to 50 kg per calendar day of a fishing trip east of Longitude 147° E. All landings of Pink Ling still need to be covered by quota.
These measures will encourage fishing of the western stock while assisting the eastern stock to rebuild. We are committed to managing the eastern and western stocks sustainably while minimising impacts to fishing businesses, and are investigating alternative ways of managing the two stocks in future seasons.
For more information, please contact Marcus Finn, Trawl Manager, Demersal and Midwater Fisheries on 02 6225 5433 or Marcus.Finn@afma.gov.au.