Aussie seafood gets 7th sustainability tick

Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national peak-body representing Australia’s commercial fishing industry, has welcomed the release of the Fishery status reports 2020, which shows that for the seventh consecutive year, none of Australia’s solely Commonwealth-managed fisheries have been subject to overfishing. 

“This is monumental news, which is unprecedented internationally, and the Australian seafood industry couldn’t be any prouder,” says SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta.

“Australia’s commercial fishing industry is one of the most sustainable protein sources in the world, and these reports are a celebration of our country’s seafood industry and the well-managed, sustainable fisheries that supply all of our favourite seafoods.”

According to Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam, the report shows that Commonwealth fisheries are well-managed and they are subject to a range of management and monitoring measures to ensure their sustainability.

“Our fisheries span across a large area of ocean, and it’s so important we get it right,” he says. “Australia has the world’s third largest Exclusive Economic Zone, and the Australian Fishing Zone is larger than mainland Australia, covering 8 million kilometres squared.”

Australia’s Commonwealth Fisheries have been valued at $437 million in gross value of production (GVP) in 2018–19, which represents 24 percent of the $1.79 billion GVP of Australia’s total wild-capture fisheries.

“We know Australians love to eat Australian seafood, and if you want to be certain you’re eating sustainable, healthy, world-class seafood that’s good for you and good for the planet, always ask for Aussie seafood whether you’re at the fishmonger, fish and chip shop or local restaurant,” Papacosta says.

Independent information on the true sustainability of Australian seafood is now more accessible than ever thanks to the free app of the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports, SAFS – Sustainable Fish Stocks. This allows Aussies on-the-go access to accurate information on the sustainability of Australian fish stocks.

“The Fishery status reports 2020 reaffirms that Australians can be proud of their seafood industry, which provides fresh, high-quality seafood, year-round,” Papacosta says.

“As fishers, our priority is the ocean. We advocate the health, sustainability and future of our ocean. It’s our livelihood and the future livelihood of generations to come.”