Total Allowable Commercial Catch and Industry Forums
Each year the VFA undertakes a process to set the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC). Prior to setting the TACC the VFA undertakes and stock assessment and a TACC forum for each management zone. The workshops are facilitated by an independent chairperson and are open to attendance by all commercial quota holders, commercial abalone divers, representatives of the recreational fishing sector and other relevant stakeholders.
The department presents the annual abalone stock assessment to the forum including fishery modelling that has been undertaken. Industry is also able to provide their views and observations on how the resource is fishing, as well as discuss any research they may have undertaken independently. This information is considered by divers, licence and quota holders, VFA fishery managers and scientists, and other stakeholders in a structured weight of evidence approach to recommend a TACC.
The forum process is designed to:
- Recommend the TACC for abalone during the following fishing season.
- Identify and maintain sustainable catch levels and appropriate legal minimum lengths for individual spatial management units;
- Be responsive to changes in the fishery, both natural and human-induced;
- Provide flexibility around adjusting legal minimum lengths and catch targets;
- Facilitate agreement over management actions;
- Allow prioritisation of research and stock assessment effort; and
- Increase industry participation in the management of the fishery.
Below are the meeting minutes for the annual TACC forums.
Eastern Zone:
Western Zone:
WZ TACC Meeting Summary
Central Zone:
CZ TACC Meeting Summary
Abalone Commercial Fisheries Representation
Abalone commercial fishers are represented by several organisations that prioritise and advocate for their best interests.
Abalone Council Victoria (ACV) is the peak body representing the wild harvest abalone sector in Victoria. ACV aims to secure a financially viable, environmentally sustainable, progressive and growing abalone industry.
Abalone Victoria Central Zone is the representative body for Abalone Central Zone entitlement holders.
Eastern Zone Abalone Industry Association provides a voice for members of the Eastern Zone Abalone Industry.
Western Abalone Divers Association represents commercial abalone divers working in the Western Abalone Zone.