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24 September 1998 |
Ref 98/229 |
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Australia's multi-million dollar squid, octopus and cuttlefish fishery is gaining a new research aid.
Australia's Squid Guide is being launched in Hobart today (Thursday), to assist the industry nationwide.
"We're in the early days of developing the resource and this is an opportunity to ensure sustainability with good management underpinned by research," says CSIRO's Dr Vicki Wadley.
Catching, processing, wholesaling and retailing of squid, octopus and cuttlefish is estimated to be worth at least $10 million, says Dr Wadley. "For the first time, we are hoping to put a real value on these resources to the nation."
The Australian catch is mostly destined for the restaurant trade, with some going to the recreational and commercial fishing sectors as bait. Prepared delicacies are being developed for sale within Australia and through Asia, and in Tasmania, octopus is processed into an expensive gourmet product.
Australia's Squid Guide is being launched by the President of the Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council, Mr Stuart Richey. It was produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, with support from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, CSIRO and the Australian fishing industry.
Written by Dr Wadley and Dr Malcolm Dunning, of the Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, the Guide identifies 30 species of squid, cuttlefish and octopus, and is will promote accurate species reporting of commercial catches and more informed fisheries management.
"The catch of Arrow squid in 1997 was around 2,500 tonnes which was worth from $4-5 million. This was mostly caught between January and June in Australia's south-east. The sustainable yield for this resource is unknown, and any further expansion needs to go hand in hand with a scientific program to establish sustainable catch levels," Dr Wadley said.
"At the same time, we need to establish the place of squid in the ecosystem and the implications for other fisheries such as school shark and tuna of an expanding squid industry, as well as the implications for sustainable fishing of increasing the current catch" Dr Wadley said.
Mr Richey's family company is a recent entrant to the squid fishery with a $200,000 investment in the latest computer-operated squid-fishing gear on the recently launched Susanne Richey II.
"Squid, octopus and cuttlefish have great potential for development throughout Australia, providing we bear in mind as an industry that it is not sustainable without the support of research, and the processing sector which handles the marketing," Mr Richey said.
"Our company has made this investment in the industry because we believe the Arrow squid is a sustainable resource and the security of access offered in Commonwealth-managed fisheries encourages operators to invest in the future."
"Research by the catching sector and scientists will establish the benchmark for continuing expansion," he said.
Mr Richey, who is also Deputy-Chairman of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, said up to 10,000 tonnes of squid is imported annually and the development of the Australian resource as an import replacement will reduce our reliance on an overseas product.
More information from:
Dr Vicki Wadley 03-6232 5422
018-879-759
Mr Stuart Richey 03-6424 4880
0408-142-337
Australia's Squid Guide will be launched at the Sailors' Return Bar, Mures Upper Deck, Victoria Dock, Hobart at 11 am Thursday 24 September.
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)
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