Annual report - Part 1, Information on fisheries, research and statistics: Australia [AR WP 2] Peter Ward

By: Contributor(s): Language: ENG Publication details: [Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia] Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) 2008Description: ix, 19 p. 30 cm. ill., graphs, tablesOther title:
  • National tuna fishery report Australia
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 639.27783
Online resources: Summary: "Domestic longline activity off eastern Australia continued to decline, with the number of active vessels falling from 152 in 1999 to 61 vessels in 2007. Longline fishing effort also declined, from 12.5 million hooks in 2003 to 8.4 million hooks in 2007. The decreased activity is attributed to high operating costs (driven mainly by high fuel prices and the high cost of squid baits), the strength of the Australian dollar and reduced catch rates of swordfish in inshore areas, around seamounts. Structural adjustment in Australian Government-managed fisheries resulted in the surrender of almost 100 of the more than 200 longline permits originally available in the fishery. The catch of yellowfin tuna by domestic longliners in 2007 was 1380 t, which was a substantial decline from the 2003 peak catch of 3096 t. The 2007 catch of bigeye tuna (998 t) was double the previous year’s catch and close to the peak catch (1050 t) reported in 2001; and the 358 t of striped marlin was down on the 2003 level (634 t). The broadbill swordfish catch remained at low levels (1349 t), partly reflecting limits placed on catch levels of this species. Interest in albacore tuna has waned as a result of poor market prices, with landings falling from 2591 t (2006) to 1916 t in 2007. The proportion of swordfish taken from outside the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) continues to decrease with the decline of the fleet and increased fuel costs. The proportion taken from outside the zone decreased from 12% of the total weight in 2005 to 3% in 2007. Few purse seiners, troll and pole-and-line vessels operated off southern NSW in 2007. Catch levels were low and cannot be reported here because of confidentiality restrictions (<5 vessels). Recreational anglers fish for a wide variety of pelagic species. Recreational catches of other marlins continued to be patchy during 2007. Striped marlin catches have been disappointing since the early 2000s. The heavy tackle fishery for large black marlin off Cairns reported a very poor season in 2007, with few smaller black marlin hooked southwards along the Queensland coast. The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Statutory Management Plan (including individual allocation of fishing rights in the form of hook limits) is being implemented. Management methods include input controls (such as limited entry, gear and area restrictions) and restrictions on byproduct and bycatch. A maximum catch limit, bycatch limits and a series of trigger catch levels have been introduced to limit swordfish and albacore catches. Mitigation measures are in place to reduce the take of seabirds. A harvest strategy is in development for the fishery."
Item type: Meeting Paper
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Holdings
Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
SPC Special Collections SPC 639.277 83 WES 2008 Available

"WCPFC-SC4-AR PART 1/WP-2"

Includes bibliographical references (p. 10)

"Domestic longline activity off eastern Australia continued to decline, with the number of active vessels falling from 152 in 1999 to 61 vessels in 2007. Longline fishing effort also declined, from 12.5 million hooks in 2003 to 8.4 million hooks in 2007. The decreased activity is attributed to high operating costs (driven mainly by high fuel prices and the high cost of squid baits), the strength of the Australian dollar and reduced catch rates of swordfish in inshore areas, around seamounts. Structural adjustment in Australian Government-managed fisheries resulted in the surrender of almost 100 of the more than 200 longline permits originally available in the fishery. The catch of yellowfin tuna by domestic longliners in 2007 was 1380 t, which was a substantial decline from the 2003 peak catch of 3096 t. The 2007 catch of bigeye tuna (998 t) was double the previous year’s catch and close to the peak catch (1050 t) reported in 2001; and the 358 t of striped marlin was down on the 2003 level (634 t). The broadbill swordfish catch remained at low levels (1349 t), partly reflecting limits placed on catch levels of this species. Interest in albacore tuna has waned as a result of poor market prices, with landings falling from 2591 t (2006) to 1916 t in 2007. The proportion of swordfish taken from outside the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) continues to decrease with the decline of the fleet and increased fuel costs. The proportion taken from outside the zone decreased from 12% of the total weight in 2005 to 3% in 2007. Few purse seiners, troll and pole-and-line vessels operated off southern NSW in 2007. Catch levels were low and cannot be reported here because of confidentiality restrictions (<5 vessels). Recreational anglers fish for a wide variety of pelagic species. Recreational catches of other marlins continued to be patchy during 2007. Striped marlin catches have been disappointing since the early 2000s. The heavy tackle fishery for large black marlin off Cairns reported a very poor season in 2007, with few smaller black marlin hooked southwards along the Queensland coast. The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Statutory Management Plan (including individual allocation of fishing rights in the form of hook limits) is being implemented. Management methods include input controls (such as limited entry, gear and area restrictions) and restrictions on byproduct and bycatch. A maximum catch limit, bycatch limits and a series of trigger catch levels have been introduced to limit swordfish and albacore catches. Mitigation measures are in place to reduce the take of seabirds. A harvest strategy is in development for the fishery."