Fishery assessment in south-east Australia

CSIRO developed a scientifically based assessment and harvest strategy framework for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, and provided it to the client, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

• 6 September 2006 | Updated 14 October 2011

This framework specifies an explicitly precautionary system of 'tiered' management responses that depend on the amount and type of information available for each species.

The framework was used by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to set Total Allowable Catch limits for 32 stocks and species for 2006.

Adoption of the new framework involved a reduction in quotas on several overfished species. Although the short-term economic consequences are severe, the longer term economic and environmental impacts are very positive.

The framework has formed the basis for a new Harvest Strategy Policy, announced as part of the Government’s package of measures to improve management of Commonwealth fisheries.

Read more about our work in Aquaculture & Fisheries Management.