Scallop boom on the way: quota lifted

The state government’s announcement last week, lifting the allowable commercial catch for the ocean scallop fishery by more than seven times, has been welcomed by San Remo scallop fishermen Andy Watts and his son Jake.

The quota increase follows the discovery of new scallop beds off Victoria’s east coast.

A survey conducted last year near the Tarwhine oil and gas fields off Gippsland confirmed a return of harvestable scallop beds in the area, prompting an increase to the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) from 135 to 979 tonnes.

A spokesperson for the government said that the decision to increase the quota substantially was made in consultation with industry bodies and licence holders.

“This discovery of healthy scallop beds is welcome news for fishers, who have spent the past decade focusing their efforts in the Commonwealth-managed Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery,” the spokesperson said.

The TACC increase to 979 tonnes from 135 will now see the return of activity to Victoria, he commented, under new management arrangements set to ensure the future sustainability of the scallop fishery.

“The estimated size of the Tarwhine bed is 7876 tonnes.

“A TACC of 979 tonnes means just 12 per cent of legal-sized scallops will be harvested, leaving a biomass of more than 6000 tonnes to maintain ongoing recruitment to the fishery.“

Sustainable future

Scallop fisherman Andy Watts, who runs two scallop vessels out of San Remo, has described the new quota announcement as a good thing.

“It is great to see the scallop beds are recovering. We have had some very quiet years, so the news is good.”

Andy said scallop fishermen had been involved in the survey, so were confident with the results.

“It will mean increased production for us, and operating closer to home, which is good,” he said.

Andy’s son Jake, skipper of the Northern Star which ties up at San Remo, was also delighted with Friday’s announcement.

Jake said it was exciting to be able to bring in more scallops for the community to enjoy, and to be able to do this by fishing closer to home.

Under the new regulations, half of the Tarwhine bed will be closed to commercial fishing to ensure the longevity of the scallop beds, and the commercial catches will be taken from the remaining half still open to fishing.

A research levy will be applied to all licences to fund future surveys of scallop stocks to inform TACC setting.

Both Andy and Jake are confident these new regulations will ensure the longevity of the scallop fishery for the future.

The Victorian ocean scallop fishery extends out from the coastline 20 nautical miles.

The management of scallop fisheries is complex and cyclical with repeated ‘boom’ phases often followed by extended fishery closures.