2004/2005 Abalone total allowable catch announced

Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, today announced the total allowable commercial catch for the next 12 months.

Mr Dunn said the independent Total Allowable Catch Committee had determined that the commercial catch be reduced for the abalone fishery from 281 to 206 tonnes for the 2004/2005 season.

"The committee is required to consider the best scientific data, as well as catch information from commercial, recreational and illegal fishing in reaching their decision. Social and economic factors, and the views of industry, are all taken into account," he said.

Mr Dunn said commercial catches are tightly controlled, but abalone poaching is a serious and entrenched problem, with thieves taking small abalone before they are large enough to breed and restock the reefs.

"The devastating affect thieves are having on our abalone stocks is just one of the reasons for the Government's recent, major review into black market fishing which will be released shortly.

"Abalone fishing is currently banned between Jervis Bay and Port Stephens because of stock damage by the Perkinsus parasite," he said.

"Thieves and Perkinsus have left large areas of coastal reef denuded of abalone."

Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) recently gave its support for a joint NSW Fisheries and the abalone industry research project to look at the reasons behind the decline in abalone.

Mr Dunn said the commercial abalone fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in NSW, with the annual harvest of blacklip abalone worth more than $8.7 million at the first point of sale.

"There are currently 48 abalone fishery shareholders, and 42 commercial abalone divers in NSW.

"Most commercial fishing takes place on the south coast, between Jervis Bay and the Victorian border, and most abalone is found close to the shore."

Mr Dunn said NSW Fisheries and the abalone industry are developing an environmental impact statement and fishery management strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the abalone commercial fishery.

The Fisheries Management Act requires NSW Fisheries to review other regulations related to abalone fishing. Consultation will be undertaken if changes are proposed to current recreational fishing rules.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Kristina Resanceff on (02) 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375