November 9, 2004

 

 

Fish Prices May Increase in Australia

 

In a bid to stop commercial overfishing, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority has announced catch limits for the 2005 southeast Australian ocean species.

 

Among the varieties of fish, Blue grenadier will be the hardest hit. It is a low-quality fish used in many standard takeaway fish and chip meals along with processed food such as fish fingers.

 

For trawlers working from Fraser Island, Queensland, to Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, their 2005 blue grenadier catch will be reduced from 7000 to 5000 tons. The figure is a fall of 28 per cent compared with this year.

 

If this reduced harvest translates directly into increased prices, then a $5 fish fillet would increase to $6.50.

 

At Eden on the South Coast, the number of commercial fishing permits has declined by 36 per cent in one year. Locals have blamed imported fish for undermining the industry.

 

Blue grenadier provides the biggest tonnage of any ocean fish species in this region.

 

Moreover, flathead, ling and redfish have also been hit by quota reductions. Flathead will have its quota drop cut by 10 per cent, redfish by 17 per cent and ling by 22 per cent.

 

Mirror dory will see its total catch rise by 9 per cent along with 16 other species. They include John dory and gemfish.

 

The southern and eastern ocean trawlers supplied most fresh fish to the Sydney fish market, according to Australian Fisheries Management Authority director Richard McLoughlin.

 

He said the tonnage limits were changed after a scientific analysis of sustainable fishing levels was conducted

 

Sydney fish market chief executive Graham Turk commented that the tonnage changes could indeed have an impact on prices.

 

"If you reduce supply, prices will go up," he said.