Consultation closed 7 February 2015.
AFMA is updating the rebuilding strategy for Orange Roughy and we are interested in your comments.
The Orange Roughy Conservation Program (ORCP) was introduced in 2006 to ensure the long term survival of Orange Roughy in nature and recover the species to ecologically sustainable levels. Recognising progress made under the existing ORCP, the primary objective of the updated Orange Roughy Rebuilding Strategy is to rebuild all Orange Roughy stocks and manage them in a manner consistent with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy 2007 (HSP).
For an overview of the proposed changes see the FAQs below.
Download a copy of the draft strategy:
Email any comments to Marcus.finn@afma.gov.au by 5pm 7 February 2015.
FAQs on the revised strategies
What management actions will be applied to assist in the recovery of Orange Roughy?
Orange Roughy stocks in Australian waters were originally depleted by commercial trawl fishing. Targeted fishing for Orange Roughy in Commonwealth waters was ceased in 2006 under AFMA’s existing conservation program. The one exception to this was the Cascade Plateau stock that remains in very healthy condition.
Actions set out in this updated Strategy continue to maintain low fishing mortality to support rebuilding while monitoring and assessing the stocks. This will be done through:
- closures to minimise fishing mortality within the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) unless targeted fishing is permitted under specified management measures
- restricting effort by limiting entry to existing fisheries. This means that no new fishing concessions are created and, in order to fish in a fishery, an existing concession must be leased or purchased
- preventing targeted fishing for Orange Roughy, and maintaining bycatch-only total allowable catch (TACs) for stocks below the limit reference point
What management actions will be applied to assist in the recovery of Orange Roughy?
Proposed management actions assist in the recovery of Orange Roughy include:
- preventing targeted fishing of Orange Roughy stocks that are below the limit reference point by setting low total allowable catches to cover incidental catches only
- making sure that incidental catch of the species is kept to a minimum
- improving our knowledge of stock status through improved research, data collection and monitoring that will inform future management responses.
How will the strategies be monitored?
The Slope Resource Assessment Group (SlopeRAG) annually reviews Orange Roughy stocks and recommends biologically appropriate catches based on the most recent stock assessment and fishing mortality information. This Strategy will be reviewed by AFMA, in consultation with SlopeRAG, Great Australian Bight Resource Assessment Group (GABRAG), South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC) after five years.
What rebuilding timeframes is AFMA working to?
Consistent with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy guidelines, AFMA is proposing to adopt the rebuilding timeframe of one mean generation time (~55 years) plus 10 years. This means that AFMA’s management aims to have Orange Roughy stocks rebuilt to above their limit reference point within 65 years.
How often are the strategies reviewed?
The strategies will be reviewed every five years by AFMA with input from Slope Resource Assessment Group and the South East Management Advisory Committee.