Scallop fishers are awaiting confirmation from Australian Fisheries Management Authority that the federal Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery will open in July.
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Scallops are notoriously difficult to manage.
- Stuart Richey
Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Resource Assessment Group and Scallop Management Advisory Committee met this week to discuss the 2018 biomass survey and decide whether to open opening the fishery.
The assessment group recommended the Total Allowable Catch be set at 4000 tonnes and that Flinders Island, Apollo Bay 2, King Island 5 Small, Kind Island New and King Island Bluedot East be closed to protect spawning biomass.
Devonport scallop fisherman Stuart Richey, of Richey Fishing, said eligible fishers would now wait to see what their percentage share of the total allowable catch would be.
“We’ll find that out in July. It is determined by AFMA,” Mr Richey said.
Like many scallop fishers, Mr Richey works across a number of fisheries, including Tasmania, Bass Strait (Commonwealth) and Victoria.
He also diversifies across seafood catches to ensure constant stock.
“Scallops are notoriously difficult to manage. The Commonwealth fishery has been good for four to five years,” he said.