AFMA announces new management policy for Small Pelagics Fishery:

The Board of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has approved a management policy for the Commonwealth Small Pelagics Fishery at its meeting in Canberra on 14-15 February 2002.

Previously known as the Jack Mackerel Fishery, the Small Pelagics Fishery is a purse seine and mid-water trawl fishery targeting jack and blue mackerels and redbait.

The Fishery is divided into four management zones, A - D, which extend from the Queensland/New South Wales border south and west to latitude 31º South, off Western Australia. Target species in the Fishery are also taken by recreational fishers. The new policy sets out a series of management and response strategies to monitor the catch of Small Pelagics Fishery species and the impacts of the Fishery more generally.

A key feature of the policy is a series of precautionary trigger catch levels for Zones B, C and D of the Fishery. Commenting on the policy, AFMA's Chair, Dr Wendy Craik said, "The trigger levels have been developed using the best available scientific information and expert advice from stakeholders and are set at levels designed to provide for the ecologically sustainable development of the Fishery." "The trigger catch levels recognise the need for precautionary management in the face of scientific uncertainty and are used as reference points to initiate a series of management actions.

Should catches in the Small Pelagics Fishery exceed the established triggers by 25% or more, fishing will cease until an appropriate and precautionary management response can be determined," Dr Craik said. In setting low risk harvest strategies for these species, the AFMA Board has also recognised the important role of these small schooling pelagic species in supporting other valuable commercial and recreational fisheries, such as those for tuna and billfish.

The new trigger catch levels set for each of Zones B, C and D are: Blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) - 3,500 tonnes Yellowtail Scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae) - 100 tonnes Jack Mackerels (Trachurus Spp) - 2,500 tonnes Redbait (Emmelichthys nitidus) - 1,000 tonnes The new management policy was developed following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including through the Small Pelagics Working Group whose membership comprises commercial and recreational fishers, and representatives from environmental groups and State and Commonwealth fisheries management agencies.

Further information: Contact Liz Hill or Margot Brodie,
Professional Public Relations, (02) 6239 1333

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