The New South Wales government has recently changed its fisheries regulations for the recreational harvest of this species, which creates a significant potential risk that fishers could shift their effort to take advantage of the longer open season, smaller minimum legal size and larger bag limits in Victoria.

After undertaking consultation in accordance with section 3A of the Fisheries Act 1995, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries has implemented Fisheries (Murray Spiny Freshwater Crayfish) Notice 7/2013 to align Victorian and New South Wales fisheries regulations related to the take of Murray spiny freshwater crayfish.

These changes are effective immediately and will be in place for at least twelve months while Fisheries Victoria assesses the need for more permanent changes to regulations to protect this species.

After consultation with relevant stakeholders and careful consideration of the available scientific information, Fisheries Victoria has implemented the Total Allowable Commercial Catch for the 2013-14 commercial abalone fishing season. Corresponding Fisheries Notices, which specify minimum size limits in each zone, have similarly been finalised.

The wet weight (unshucked abalone) Total Allowable Commercial Catches for the 2013-14 commercial abalone fishing season are:

Western zone

• blacklip TACC of 49.0 tonnes; and
• greenlip TACC of 0 tonnes.

Central zone

• blacklip TACC of 279.0 tonnes; and
• greenlip TACC of 3.4 tonnes.

The central zone blacklip TACC is based on stock assessment modelling as prescribed in the Victorian Abalone Fishery Management Plan (2002) i.e. rebuild biomass to 110 per cent of the 2000 level within five years with a 70 per cent probability.

Eastern zone

• blacklip TACC of 432.5 tonnes.

This TACC is consistent with modelling undertaken in 2012 and meets the objective of the 2002 management plan

Submission from SIV

Submission from LEFCOL

Submission from Trinsand Fisheries Pty Ltd

Submission from Steve and Con Seafoods

In January 2012, Fisheries Victoria engaged the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies to conduct an independent survey of the Victorian Scallop Fishery. The aim of the survey, which used industry operators, was to determine the abundance and distribution of scallop stocks and establish whether the fishery had recovered since the previous survey of 2010.

The survey found that the abundance of scallops throughout the fishery remained very low but that some recruitment had occurred.

I therefore proposed to set the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) for the fishery at zero tonnes for the 2013/14 fishing season. Scallop (Ocean) Fishery Access Licence Holders were provided the opportunity to comment on this recommendation until 15 March 2013.

I subsequently received reports that scallops may be present in quantities that can be viably harvested and therefore undertook further consultation with Seafood Industry Victoria and members of the scallop fishing industry. Industry representatives advise that it is appropriate to set a low TACC, based on 1.5 tonne (shell weight) per licence to allow fishers the opportunity to explore the fishery and provide information on the status of the stocks.

I have therefore set the TACC at 136.5 tonnes (shell weight) for 2013/14 fishing season commencing 1 April 2013 and continuing to 31 March 2014.

Fisheries Victoria will monitor the catch and effort in the fishery and will assess the merits of commissioning a thorough stock assessment survey later in the season.