Sardines fish school in ocean
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The Tasmanian Government is looking for "new opportunities" to develop a sustainable sardine fishery to economically benefit businesses and commercial fishers without overlooking the interests of recreational fisheries.
In more detail, the Minister for Business, Industry, and Resources, Eric Abetz, explained: "Research has been underway to assess the full extent of sardine stocks in Bass Strait and the results of this independent science will be used to underpin the development of a management plan for a Tasmanian Sardine Fishery, ensuring it will minimize environmental impacts and maximize the benefit to Tasmanians."
The sardine fishery in Tasmania will consist of purse seining methods similar to other successful fisheries, such as the South Australian fishery. Commercial trawling is prohibited in Tasmanian commercial fisheries, and the Minister plans for this to remain the case.
Also, he announced that before the end of the year, the guidelines to support the management plan will be published to remain consistent with the Tasmanian Government policy and legislation.
"To further support the development of a commercial sardine fishery the Tasmanian Government is committing $250,000," he confirmed.
According to Abetz, Australian sardines are highly nutritious and have been commercially fished in other parts of the country for a long time. Because of this, Tasmania can now benefit from that experience to meet sustainability standards.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania will manage the project, and a public consultation process will be conducted, including commercial and recreational fishing bodies such as Seafood Industry Tasmania, TARFish, and others.
"Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is committed to a commercial fisheries resource allocation model that maximizes the benefit to Tasmania, Tasmanian fishers, their families, and the communities they live and work in," he concluded.
A month ago, the Albanese Labor Government invested AUD 28 million (approximately USD 18.4 million) in improving water quality and environmental conditions at Macquarie Harbour, a shallow fjord in the West Coast region of Tasmania.