13 April 2011
Australia Source: Port Lincoln Times
This season’s tuna stocks will be counted by the end of the week after ranching operations wrapped up one of the best years for the industry in decades.
Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association chief executive officer Brian Jeffriess said fish caught this year had been very high quality.
“The major highlights in 2011 have been the continued big increase in tuna numbers in the Great Australian Bight, and the very high quality of the tuna,†he said.
“Part of the further improvements in quality of tuna being brought in is that we are getting better at catching, towing and transfers every year, but the other part is that the sardine stock is increasing the tuna quality.â€
Mr. Jeffriess said the results from the season showed the ecosystem in the Great Australian Bight was the best area to attract tuna on their annual migration through the southern hemisphere.
However, the industry’s push to retrieve lost quota for the season was halted after a meeting scheduled in Japan was cancelled after last month’s earthquake and tsunami disaster.
Mr. Jeffriess said the issue along with other items would be discussed in August, and recommendations would be made for the industry to use a mathematical formula in the future to decide on quota allowances.
“At this stage, every indicator of the southern bluefin tuna stock is very strong, both in the Great Australian Bight and for the fish on the high seas, which continue the positive data over the last three to four years,†he said.
“Another example is the annual survey of one year olds in Western Australia by Japan’s scientists, who believe that it is a better indicator of the stock than the aerial survey, and reports are that the survey was very strong. The industry is very encouraged by all these developments, but they still need to be turned into quota increases at an early stage.â€
