The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) can report that Australia’s number one choice for fish and chips – gummy shark (flake) – has had a bumper season.
Commercial fishers in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery reported a 14 percent increase in catch compared to the previous season, netting over 90 percent of the total allowable catch (TAC) for the fishery.
Australian fish and chips – a sustainable choice
AFMA’s CEO, Dr James Findlay, commented that this improved catch shows gummy shark stocks are in good shape and strict catch limits continue to be set at a sustainable level.
“Catch limits for a wide range of delicious seafood are set by the independent AFMA Commission using the best available science,” Dr Findlay said.
“This means Australian seafood lovers can be confident knowing when their flake and chips or other seafood hits the plate they are eating a sustainable catch and supporting Australian industry and coastal communities”.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has assessed gummy shark catch as sustainable since 1994. Their independent Fishery status reports are publically available for you to read.
For more information on AFMA’s world class fisheries management, visit our website at www.afma.gov.au.