The report assesses the status of all 93 Commonwealth fish stocks. The report shows that the status of Commonwealth fisheries continues to improve.
Mr Simon Boag, the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association's CEO, praised ABARES for their tough but fair appraisal of Australian fisheries,
“We do not always agree with the ABARES report but they produce the only peer reviewed scientific report on the status of Australian fisheries. They are a scientifically credible and independent organisation. ABARES do not have a political agenda, do not collect donations and do not sell seafood.”
“Australian consumers should be sceptical of seafood sustainability guides originating from organisations that collect donations because bad news about fish stocks is good news for donations.”
ABARES’s report on the South East Trawl Fishery shows that there were only positive changes in the status of the fishery's stocks. The status of gulper sharks, pink ling, eastern orange roughy and ribaldo all improved.
The report shows that only a single stock, eastern gemfish, remains subject to over-fishing. Trawl fishermen have worked hard to reduce the incidental catch of eastern gemfish to record lows to allow it to rebuild and rebuilding is occurring.
“If the seafood consumer wants to make a sustainable choice this latest report shows that all they need to do is buy Australian fish”.
