Rebuilding plan for Southern Bluefin Tuna

Southern Bluefin Tuna

An increase in the number of juvenile Southern Bluefin Tuna over the last four years is encouraging news for the rebuilding of the species.

21 October 2011

In a significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of Southern Bluefin Tuna, an international plan designed to rebuild the spawning stock of the species was agreed at the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) held in Bali on 13 October 2011.

The CCSBT is an intergovernmental organisation that cooperates on the management and conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. Australia is a member, along with the Fishing Entity of Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand.

The plan, known as a management procedure, outlines binding targets and management rules designed to rebuild the spawning stock to around four times the current estimated levels by 2035. The management procedure identifies a global total allowable catch (TAC) that will ensure the rebuilding targets for Southern Bluefin Tuna are achieved with a 70% probability.

The latest data considered by the Scientific Committee of the CCSBT shows that the number of juvenile Southern Bluefin Tuna has increased over the last four years due to significantly higher than average spawning. This is encouraging news and is reflected in the increased TAC established through the management procedure.

Over the next three years the global TAC will increase in stages to 12,449 tonnes and the Australian national allocation will increase to 4,528 tonnes in 2012, 4,698 tonnes in 2013 and 5,147 tonnes in 2014.

Any increases in global TAC and allocations beyond 2013 will depend on updated advice from the CCSBT Scientific Committee when it meets in 2013. The AFMA Commission will consider the 2011–12 commercial TAC for Southern Bluefin Tuna when it meets in late October.

For more information please contact Matt Daniel, Manager, Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery, on 02 6225 5338 or matthew.daniel@afma.gov.au.