New report says Victorian fisheries in good shape

12 December 2016

The Victorian Fish Stock Status Report has been released online and indicates the majority of the state's wild fish stocks are in good shape, which is excellent news for recreational and commercial fishers and seafood consumers.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director, Travis Dowling, said the report provides a clear overview of how the states distinct populations of fish breeds are managed and applies a rating based on the best information currently available.

"To simplify its findings, the report uses a traffic light rating system of green, amber or red to indicate the relative health of each fish stock," Mr Dowling said.

"The risk management ratings take into account stock status, drawing on the 2014 National Stock Status Report, recent stock assessments and current management settings in Victorian waters.

"Of 27 key Victorian managed fisheries rated in the report, 17 were classified as green, 10 were amber and pleasingly, and none were red.

"Green rated fisheries were eastern and western Victorian stocks of Australian salmon, eastern and southern stocks of sardines, black bream, dusky flathead, King George whiting, Murray cod, Port Phillip Bay scallops, school prawn, black and white sea urchin stocks, eastern and western snapper, calamari, rock lobster and tailor."

"When reading the report, it is also important to bear in mind that fishing is not the only factor that affects our fish stocks. Many of our stocks fluctuate naturally over time, and are affected by environmental drivers and the condition of their habitats."

Mr Dowling said the report is a Victorian-focussed companion to the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks report, released in 2014 and soon to be updated in 2016.

"Our new report includes the national stock status ratings, which are based on standard, agreed approaches for determining whether the abundance of fish and level of harvest from the stock are sustainable."

The Victorian Fish Stock Status Report is now available on the Agriculture Victoria website.