Source: Port Lincoln Times


Tuna Leaders: Tuna farming industry icons Joe Puglisi, Mario Valcic, Hagen Stehr, Lovre Gobin and Sam Sarin after the decision was made to return the quota back to 2009 levels

The decision to return southern bluefin tuna quota over the next three years to what it was in 2009 will give assurance for major investment and future growth in the industry.

The Commission for the Conservation for Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) announced last Thursday to increase the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) quota by 32 per cent over the next three years.

The unanimous decision was made after a four-day meeting in Bali with government representatives and scientists from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

In 2009 a 1500-ton cut was imposed on fishers, decreasing Australia's total allowable catch from 5665 tons to 4270 tons.

Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Association chief executive officer Brian Jeffriess said scientific evidence showed the quota could have been increased by much more than the 32 per cent rise.

“The CCSBT’s decision to not follow the scientific models and give a higher increase is disappointing, but is now a reality,” Mr. Jeffriess said.

“The quota increase will be a major boost to Eyre Peninsula, particularly Port Lincoln.”

Mr. Jeffriess said the previous uncertainty over future quota levels had delayed the major investment required to take the industry to the next level of value adding and research.

He said part of the next step was expansion into offshore areas with deeper water and faster currents.

“To achieve this, the industry will need to refine new technologies, and invest in special training programs and farm research,” he said.

Mr. Jeffriess said the other major advance in the industry would be to grow tuna in the farms to higher levels and over a longer period.

“No country has done this with SBT before, and new techniques will be required.”

Mr. Jeffriess said the Australian industry had long-argued the quota should not have been reduced in 2009.

“The CCSBT decision to reverse the 2009 cut is recognition that the SBT stock is much stronger than assumed before,” he said.

“The key point is that we should all be celebrating the strong stock, and working to ensure it will be managed effectively in the future.”

Mr. Jeffriess said Australia has more than one-third of the international quota, exports about $200 to $300 million worth of tuna each year and generates more than 3000 jobs.

Tuna baron Hagen Stehr AO said it was important to remember Thursday’s quota decision should not been seen as an increase, but “a return to what was rightfully ours”.

“Of course we are happy somewhat ... the decision that was made we knew it would happen, it just was a matter of time,” Mr. Stehr said.

Mr. Stehr said other tuna fishing countries such as Japan, Korea and New Zealand had “raped” the stocks by not adhering to the quota system, but Australia’s industry was well monitored and strictly managed.

He said the federal government should not forget what the industry had initially advocated with the scientific models pointing to healthy tuna stocks.

Mr. Stehr said the quota return would give himself and other tuna identities further assurance to invest in the industry’s future.

“If we make more money, we will invest more money in Port Lincoln and the state.”