The 10-year plan sets out the allocation of the resource, as well as harvest strategies, stock assessment processes, compliance and monitoring arrangements, and regulations for the fishery.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell launched the plan in Port Lincoln, and said it was the result of extensive consultation with the industry.
“The fortunes of South Australia’s sardine fishery have fluctuated since its creation in 1991, hitting a peak catch of almost 57,000 tonnes in 2004-2005,” he said.
“In 2012-13 the total catch was almost 34,000 tonnes with a value of around A$20 million. Reduced catches and a fall in the price of sardines have impacted on the industry during the past few years.
“However, with co-operation between Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and the industry, the development of this new management plan is set to deliver sustainable growth for the our sardine fishers.”
This year the Total Allocated Commercial Catch has been increased by 4,000 tonnes to 38,000 tonnes.
Following a two-month consultation period, the Fisheries Council of South Australia recommended the new management plan in September, and it commenced on November 1.
The Fisheries Management Act 2007 requires that management plans be prepared for all South Australian fisheries.
The plans must also identify impacts of the fisheries on the ecosystem and any ecological factors that could impact the fishery.
Ecological Sustainable Development risk assessment workshops were conducted by PIRSA with the industry as part of the development of the new management plan.
