Blacklip Abalone TACC by Zone  (2001 - 2011)

 

Influence of Marine Parks on the Victorian TACC

Nearly 54,000 hectares of Victoria's inshore waters were set aside for Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries - creating large "no take" fishing areas. Of this expanse, a disproportional 42,700 hectares (19 of the 24 areas or nearly 80%) were within the Central Abalone Zone.

In what can only be described as unfair and unjust legislation, the abalone industry was singled out and prevented from seeking compensation for these lost fishing rights and entitlements.

In lieu of compensation, Industry was assured catches would be maintained by an increase in enforcement. "Increased enforcement" would reduce illegal activity, thereby bolstering stocks and reversing any adverse effects that may have eventuated from the reduced fishing zone - as the graphs show, the opposite has been the case.
The increased enforcement has been short lived, and failed to have the desired effect - enforcement numbers have now reduced to below 2002 levels.

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The recent escape of an exotic Virus into the wild and its rapid spread throughout the Western Zone and into the Central Zone has dampened optimism and added to the sharp decline in Victoria's Total Allowable Catch.