The Australian Yellowfin tuna fishery is having its best season in more than a decade.
Catches are up around 20 percent for the season in the Commonwealth Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF). The Eastern Tuna Fishery catch limit was 2,200 tons for the 2014-2015 season and the Western Tuna Fishery catch limit was 5,000 tons for the 2014-2015 season.
The healthy 2015-2016 season can be attributed to responsible fisheries management, according to Dr. James Findlay, CEO of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
“Yellowfin tuna is just one of several Commonwealth commercial species that have had a bumper season which is great news for all Australians and seafood consumers,” Findlay said. “Importantly, while catches are up, they are sustainable, with strict quota limits set by AFMA that are based on the best available science.”
Pavo Walker, owner of Walker Seafoods Australia, agreed that 2015-16 had been a great season for the fishery. “With catches from this season high, we are looking forward to another bumper season.”
Meanwhile, the 2016-17 tuna season, which runs for 12 months, began on 1 March.
