2: Progress in implementation of conditions and recommendations made in the previous assessment of the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (July 2013). Condition 1 Operation of the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery will be carried out in accordance with the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Plan 1995, in force under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. Achieved. AFMA continues to manage the Southern Bluefin Tuna fishery consistent with the provisions of the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Plan 1995. The Department of the Environment and Energy considers that this condition has been met. The Department considers that a new approved wildlife trade operation declaration for the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery specify a similar condition (see Condition 1, Table 4).
Condition 5 The management arrangements for the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery to take account of all sources of mortality of southern bluefin tuna as part of management of the species in Australian waters. This should include a reliable estimate of recreational and charter fishing catch of the species in Australian waters. Not met. The management arrangements for the commercial fishing of southern bluefin tuna in Australian waters are yet to fully account for all sources of fishing mortality, notably recreational fishing. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has completed a project to obtain a method for determining a statistically robust estimate of recreational and charter fishing catch of southern bluefin tuna in Australian waters - . The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is working with AFMA and relevant States and Territories on options to account for the The Department considers that a new approved wildlife trade operation declaration for the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery should specify a similar condition (see Condition 5, Table 4).
recreational catch of SBT. Condition 6 The management arrangements for the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery to continue to implement all relevant measures agreed by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna in the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery, to support the recovery of the southern bluefin tuna stock to ecologically sustainable levels. Achieved. All measures agreed at CCSBT are implemented in the Australian domestic fishery through the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Plan 1995 and associated legislative instruments. The Department considers that this condition has been met. The Department considers that a new approved wildlife trade operation declaration for the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery should specify a similar condition (see Condition 6, Table 4).
Recommendation 1 The Department of Agriculture to work with the relevant agencies to refine and implement the methodology for obtaining reliable estimates of recreational and charter fishing catch of southern bluefin tuna in Australian waters. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has completed a project to obtain a method for determining a statistically robust estimate of recreational and charter fishing catch of southern bluefin tuna in Australian waters. The project provided three primary recommendations and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is now considering the outcomes of the project. A copy of the report can be found here: . The Department considers the issues covered by this recommendation to be partially met but are ongoing. The Department recommends that a new approved wildlife trade operation declaration for the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery should specify a similar condition (see Condition 5, Table 4). Table 3: The Department of the Environment and Energy’s assessment of the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery against the requirements of the EPBC Act related to decisions made under Part 13A.