Meetings To Decide On Aus$ 260 Million Of Bluefin Quotasff

Source: Adelaide Now

The state’s $260 million southern bluefin tuna industry is sweating on the outcome of its future catch quotas.

The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna - an intergovernmental organization responsible for managing southern bluefin tuna - will begin discussions in Indonesia on Tuesday to set catch quotas for the next three years.

It is the first of three meetings to be held over the next three months.

The tuna industry's quota was cut by almost 25 per cent from 5265 tons to 4015 tons in October 2009 because of concerns worldwide tuna stocks were dwindling.

Fishermen say the cut has cost the industry up to $100 million, claiming there was no reason to slash catch limits. Experts warn the failure to reinstate the existing quota will damage not only the industry, but also Port Lincoln where more than 3500 people are employed directly and indirectly on Eyre Peninsula.

Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry chief executive Brian Jeffriess said the 2009 quota cut was premature and strength of long-term scientific data proved that stock was much stronger than mathematical models showed.

“The industry’s target is that the quota lost in 2009 be returned. Some other CCSBT countries will want a bigger quota increase, but the Australian industry is determined to set a sustainable foundation for the long term,” Mr. Jeffriess said.

State Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien said the upcoming international decisions were arguably the most significant in 20 years.

“The tuna industry is of vital importance to ... Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula,” Mr. O’Brien said.

“If the scientific evidence is there ... I’m hopeful the decision makers will increase the quota.”

Clean Seas Tuna founding director Hagen Stehr said he was disgusted the Federal Government had failed the tuna industry by “caving in” because of the strong Greens lobby. “If we don’t get our quota back the Pt Lincoln industry will slowly die.”

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said last year that protecting southern bluefin tuna ensured Australia continued to be an important voice for tuna international management and conservation. A Federal Government spokeswoman said Mr. Burke’s position remained unchanged.