Total Allowable Catches (TACs) limits in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) have seen an increase of over 800 tonnes on last year. Blue Grenadier and Flathead, two of the most economically important species within this fishery, had significant increases with the latest assessments showing stocks to be in a healthy state.
The overall increase in available catch is an encouraging sign and follows on from several years of increases as stocks continue to rebuild and our scientific understanding improves.
There has also been an increase in the number of multi-year TACs (MYTACs) in the SESSF, with 20 species that will now be managed under a MYTAC. This is good news for industry, as it increases stability within the fishery by reducing the number of TAC changes and lowers assessment and management costs.
Target species in the SESSF are managed mainly through TAC limits. A TAC is set for each quota species and certain non-quota species (to cover incidental catch), and is the total catch by all concession holders that may be taken during that fishing year.
TACs are determined by the AFMA Commission taking into consideration advice from the Resource Assessment Groups, South East Management Advisory Committee and the Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee.
Incidental catch TACs are set for species that are being rebuilt or species that are under a management program. These TACs remained the same from 2013-14 to 2014-15 as records show that there has been minimal targeting and catches are less than the upper limits set by AFMA.
For more information, please contact George Day, Demersal and Midwater Trawl fisheries on 02 6225 5331 or george.day@afma.gov.au.