Plenty of locally caught fish available as the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery season starts

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) manages the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), one of Australia’s biggest fisheries and suppliers of fresh fish to Australian consumers.

The new fishing season for the SESSF starts on 1 May 2020 and AFMA’s CEO Wez Norris is encouraging Australians to support commercial fishers and put sustainable and locally caught fish on their plates.

“AFMA’s Commission has set the total allowable catches (TACs) for the fishery and although there are definitely some unexpected challenges this year, there will still be a great range of fresh fish for Australians to buy,” said Mr Norris.

“Seafood consumers should look out for blue grenadier (known in New Zealand as hoki), flathead, gummy shark and pink ling, with stocks of these well-known species in great shape.

“In these challenging times AFMA has been working closely with industry to find ways to support our local fishers who are currently doing it tough, whilst ensuring the fishery and stocks remain sustainable.”

This season AFMA in conjunction with the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association has launched the Western Orange Roughy Research Plan, where approved operators will be granted a scientific permit to collect catch and effort data, as well as biological information on the age and size structure of the western orange roughy stock.

“Orange roughy was listed as conservation dependent in 2007, and has since been managed under a rebuilding strategy. Effective management has seen the eastern stock rebuild and is now fished under a commercial TAC.”

“We hope to see similar results for the western stock, which will be informed by the Western Orange Roughy Research Plan.”

For more information on the SESSF visit the AFMA website.