The total allowable catch for yellowfin tuna in Australia’s eastern tuna and billfish fishery, which opened on 1 March, is up 8.3 percent for the 2017-2018 season.
The TAC for yellowfin tuna rose from 2,200 tons last season to 2,400 tons this season. The albacore tuna TAC remained unchanged at 2,500 tons, and bigeye tuna is also unchanged at 1,056 tons.
“This is great news for Australian lovers of sushi and sashimi, as this fishery is the main source of high quality, fresh yellowfin tuna to eastern Australia,” the Australia Fisheries Management Authority said in a press release.
The value of the total fishery, which includes striped marlin and broadbill swordfish, reached AUD 35 million (USD 26.5 million, EUR 25.1 million) in 2015. The primary markets for the fishery are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, Europe, American Samoa and Thailand.
Consumers can be confident that tuna from the fishery is sustainable, AFMA said in its release.
“This is due to the fishery being managed according to best available science,” AFMA said.
Walker Seafoods Australia recently became the first tuna business in Australia to receive Marine Stewardship Council certification.
