| At a glance |
| Principal species |
Broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) bigeye tuna (T. obesus) and albacore tuna (T. alalunga). Note: Targeted purse seine fishing for Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is not permitted under the WTBF Management Plan and is managed separately. |
| No. of Fishing Permits |
110 (includes one high seas only permit) |
| Estimated Total Catch and Value |
2001: 4253 tonnes, 2001/02 $33.7m (includes 898 tonnes of Skipjack)
2002: 3992 tonnes, 2002/03 $20m (includes 1144 tonnes of Skipjack)
2003/04: 1262 tonnes, $8.2m (includes 30 tonnes of Skipjack)
2004/05: 495 tonnes, $3.6m (no Skipjack catch reported)
2005/06: 926 tonnes, $3.2m (includes 446 tones of Skipjack)
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| Main Markets |
Domestic, Japan and United States |
| Fishing Techniques |
Pelagic longline, minor line (hand line, rod and reel, troll and poling) and purse seine |
| Stock Status: As assessed in Fishery Status Reports by the Bureau of Rural Sciences 2006 |
- Broadbill swordfish – uncertain
- Bigeye tuna – not overfished (overfishing of bigeye in the broader Indian Ocean)
- Yellowfin tuna – not overfished (overfishing of yellowfin in the broader Indian Ocean)
- Albacore tuna – Not overfished/ No overfishing
- Striped marlin – uncertain
- Skipjack tuna – Not overfished/ No overfishing (targeted purse seine fishing is not permitted under the WTBF Management Plan)
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| Management Plan |
The Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation accepted the WTBF Management Plan in October 2005 and corresponding amendments to it, in November 2006. |
| Strategic Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act |
Actions taken in a Commonwealth marine area in accordance with the WTBF Management Plan 2005, do not require approval under Part 9 of the EPBC Act for the purposes of sections 23 and 24A of the EPBC Act (14 April 2006). |
| Management Method |
Input control management regime, based on limited entry – ITQs for key species to be implemented under the management plan – expected to occur in early 2007. |
| Bycatch Action Plan |
Tuna bycatch action plan (for longline and minor line) will be revised in late 2006. The purse seine bycatch action plan was first published in 2005 and will be revised in 2007. |
| Consultative Mechanism |
Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (WTMAC) |
| Major Issues for Next 12 Months |
Implementing the Management Plan
Granting SFRs and implementing the quota management regime. Implementing Harvest Strategy Frameworks for broadbill swordfish, bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna and striped marlin by 1 January 2007.
Revising OCS agreements
Implementing measures to support the Commonwealth Government’s resource sharing arrangements for waters adjacent to Western Australia announced on 13 October 2005.
Resource Sharing
Implementation of resource sharing arrangements.
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| Longer Term Strategic Management Issues |
Managing the fishery in the current economic climate, including providing scope for new fishing opportunities such as purse seining for yellowfin tuna.
Strengthening the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and increasing Australia’s influence in the IOTC.
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