Australian Cats Eat Double the South East Trawl Catch

The article explains that Australian cats eat 33,500 tonnes of seafood per annum. This seafood is imported and produced in Australia.

To put this in context the southern east trawl fishery lands 18,000 tonnes per year meaning that two south east trawl fisheries would be required to feed all Australian cats.

The report explains that Pet ownership is increasing globally. It has been reported that the increase of disposable income, together with increasing urbanization and associated attitude shifts, are responsible for the dramatic increase in pet ownership, such as for example in China and in developing countries in general.

It adds that, The market for pet food and pet care products has been reported to be growing at an annual average rate of four per cent in value terms and reached US$49 billion in 2003, with pet food representing about 80 per cent of the global pet industry market.

It concludes that, It has been hypothesised that pet owners are treating their companions progressively more as a family member, and consequently, expenditure on pet food is growing.

Fortunately Australias Commonwealth fisheries are managed under sustainable quotas that are recommended by fisheries scientists and set by an independent Commission. Demand for seafood products is not considered when setting quotas.