Commercial Fishing

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Large fish species are rapidly declining around Australia, according to the first continental diver census of shallow reef fish. Contrary to years of sustainability reports, our study indicates that excessive fishing pressure is contributing to decline of many Australian fish species.
In areas open to fishing, we found that exploited populations fell by an average of 33% between 2005 and 2015. This rate closely matches the 32% downward trend in total Australian fishery catches through the same period.
In contrast, in marine parks where fishing is prohibited, the same species increased by an average of 25%. Other species not targeted by fishers showed a small downward trend (11% decline in fished zones; 16% decline in no-take marine reserves), indicating that recent marine heatwaves off southeastern and southwestern Australia have probably adversely affected marine life over a wide area.
Citizen science
Our audit of 531 study sites was made possible by combining data from 50-metre long transects repeatedly surveyed by Australian Institute of Marine Science and University of Tasmania research divers, and by highly trained volunteers participating in the citizen science Reef Life Survey program.
After the collapse of some high-profile fisheries in the 1990s, such as gemfish, orange roughy and southern bluefin tuna, federal and state agencies took a more conservative approach to fish capture. Australian fisheries are now regarded as among the most sustainable worldwide.
Regardless, the prevalence of downward population trends in our investigation indicates that a reduction in fishing pressure and additional caution is needed. Otherwise, more Australian fisheries may not be economically viable if this trend continues.
Our analysis identified a variety of issues that affect fishery management practices, many of which are also evident overseas, including:
<ul>
<li>little relevant data for decision-making related to ecological issues</li>
<li>a lack of no-fishing reference areas to scientifically assess impacts of fishing</li>
<li>poorly documented stock assessments with limited public accessibility</li>
<li>management decisions made by committees dominated by industry-aligned members</li>
<li>short-term catch maximisation prioritised over precaution</li>
<li>fishery models that rarely consider species interactions or climate impacts</li>
<li>wider effects of fishing on ecosystems and their resilience to multiple pressures are overlooked</li>
</ul>
No-fishing reserves work
Our study indicates that a highly effective but underused tool in the manager’s toolbox is expanded rollout of no-fishing “marine reserves”. Despite receiving wide public support, most Australian marine reserves are small and located in areas with few fishery resources. They consequently house few mature, egg-producing females and do little to assist in the rebuilding of overfished stocks. Nor are they likely to help much in the recovery of important ecosystem functions, as needed for fished-species populations to rebound after climate shocks and other pressures.
The July rollout of Australian Marine Parks, in particular, represents a lost opportunity that may prove a significant problem for fishers. Although covering 2.76 million square kilometres – the largest marine park in the world – it is of limited conservation value.
Through three rounds of public submissions, each largely aimed at minimising any remaining overlap with current fishing activities, the final zoning plans affect very few stakeholders. The outcome is neither an efficient nor effective solution to the actual problem of protecting the oceans.
For example, the Temperate East Zone covering waters from the Victorian border to southern Queensland includes no new “no-take” reserves shallower than 1,000m depth, although these waters are where virtually all fishing impacts occur in this region.
The widespread declaration of marine parks that allow current fishing to continue is perhaps useful when harmful fishing practices for ecosystems are excluded. However, our study indicates that this basic assumption does not apply to Australian Marine Parks.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/97689/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The environmental and economic debt for future generations is both huge and unfair.
Graham Edgar, Senior Marine Ecologist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
Trevor J Ward, Adjunct professor, University of Technology Sydney
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-commercial-fish-populations-drop-by-a-third-over-ten-years-97689" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Australian fished populations drop by a third over 10 years, study finds

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Tru Blu Prawn Farm, Australia's first prawn farm near Yamba in Northern New South Wales, has hit the market.
Tru Blue sits on the banks of the Clarence River at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.websternolan.com.au/node/288" target="_blank">371 School Road, Palmers Island</a>.
The family business began in the early 1970s when founder Frank Roberts began converting his sugarcane farm into a shrimp farm.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/6/Prawn2.jpg" alt="">
Spanning 37 hectares, the property is fully licensed for shrimp and fish farming, with over 300 metres of deep water frontage on the Clarence River.
Tru Blu has an annual production of around 140 tonnes of premium black tiger prawns.
There's a retail outlet on the property to service the local community, as well as a high tech income producing hatchery and processing facility.
Tender closes July 24 through Webster Nolan Real Estate agent David Nolan.
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Australia's first prawn farm for sale in Northern NSW

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A limited shareholding in the Sydney Fish Markets is on the market through an expressions of interest campaign with price expectations above $5 million.
The NSW Government has announcement a $250 million redevelopment of The Sydney Fish Markets. The deal includes the current income from retail and office leasing, car parking and seafood wholesaling businesses as well as the opportunity to negotiate multiple business opportunities within the new Sydney Fish Markets development.
Ray White Commercial’s Charlie Yankos said the current owners were looking to retire after more than 25 years of operations at the Sydney Fish Markets.
“The sale also offers an opportunity to acquire a coveted spot on the Sydney Fish Market Board - giving the new purchaser the opportunity to be involved in the new development and acquire multiple retail sites," he said.
“This opportunity includes multiple income streams in the shareholding and operating business alone, returning more than $400,000 per annum under management.
“The redevelopment will mean increased foot traffic and shop space. As part of the area's redevelopment, the business will have an option to negotiate for additional floor space and fit-out costs potentially covered by the developer.
“Already a lucrative business with excellent profit margins, the redevelopment is set to double visitor numbers and elevate the Blackwattle Bay precinct to the premium location in Sydney to visit."
Matthew Holland from Ray White Business Sales said the fish markets’ footprint is set to double after the redevelopment and its leasable space increasing by 50 percent.
“Existing tenants will receive first options on new commercial space because they are also shareholders. We think all available space will be taken by them, that’s pretty much a given,” he said.
“The successful purchaser will be able to negotiate for additional floor space and fit-out costs that will be covered by the developer, within reason. 
“The earlier they secure it, the greater their negotiation power will be at the new site,” he said, adding that shareholding also comes with voting rights, while a seat on the board is also available, although not guaranteed.  “If you are sitting on the board then things are much easier.”
Expressions of interest above $5 million are sought by close of business on Friday, December 9, 2016.
The current operating business under management is showing above $400,000 pa profits.
"The operating business itself is considered to be an industry-leader with a loyal local and international customer base.
"Having been established for over 25 years, it has been the recipient of numerous highly favourable reviews and articles over the years and is considered to be the foodie's/chef's first port of call," Matthew Holland said.
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Commercial Fishing

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