Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian scallop fishery will open for commercial harvesting next month for the first time since 2015.
The commercial scallop fishery had been closed for six years due to low stock numbers. The decision to open a State scallop fishery this season was made after the completion and analysis of recent surveys.
The season will open in an area east of Flinders Island from Wednesday 1 September to Friday 31 December 2021.
The stock surveys were undertaken in June and July this year following a research plan developed by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS).
The IMAS analysis of the survey results gave an indication of scallop abundance, catch rates and size and the results in the vicinity of Babel Island, east of Flinders Island met the acceptable sustainability criteria for opening.
The Scallop Fishery Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives of fishers, processors, IMAS and DPIPWE, met earlier this month to consider the survey results and the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the fishery has been set at 1494.9 tonnes or 145 kg/unit.
The Tasmanian scallop fishery is an important part of our seafood industry and operates under a fishery management plan supported by strict fisheries rules.
The recreational scallop season opens from the Saturday before Easter until the end of July. The recreational scallop season has been productive in the past few years. Good scallop catches have been reported from the Coles Bay/Freycinet Area, Frederick Bay/Norfolk bay areas and the outside of Bruny Island.
Tasmania is a proud island and fishing state and the Tasmanian Government through sustainable fisheries management aims to protect and promote this heritage and create opportunities in State waters for current and future generations.
Public notices will appear in Tasmanian newspapers this weekend and more information can be found at: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/scallop-season
