S C I E N C E F O R D E C I S I O N M A K E R S

Southern Bluefin Tuna:Get ‘em while stocks last?

James Findlay – BRSFriday 17 December

Despite significant cuts in global catch in the mid-80s, the Southern Bluefin Tuna stock has fallen to dangerously low levels. Urgent management action is required to protect the species and the fisheries that depend upon it. However, since the 80s, it has been almost impossible to get international agreement on action to rebuild the stock and numerous countries have entered the global fishery and eroded the benefits of previous management. Australia will strive for effective international management but, if international agreement can’t be reached, should Australia take unilateral action to reduce its’ catch or “get ‘em while stocks last?”

S C I E N C E F O R D E C I S I O N M A K E R S

Southern Bluefin Tuna: Get ‘em while stocks last?

James Findlay, BRS

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Photo: Kerstin Fritsches

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Life History

• Relatively fast growing• Reaches 200cm and 200kg• Lives to 40+ yrs• Average age at first maturity – 12yrs

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Ghost of SBT Past

Global SBT Catch

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1952195619601964196819721976198019841988199219962000

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Parental Stock relative to 1960 Levels

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THE DEBATE

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THE DISPUTE

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Global SBT Catch

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Ghost of SBT Present

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Recent Recruitment

Assessment/Indicator Recent TrendConditioning Model ↓Length-Based VPA ↓Acoustic survey ↓Aerial survey ↓Catch-at- Age for All LL ↓Commercial Spotting ↓Taiwan LL CPUE ↔Juvenile Range ↓

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Any good news?

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Ghost of SBT Future

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Management Procedure TAC Changes

00.20.40.6

0.81

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Parental Stock

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Management Choices

1. International agreement to cuts2. Australia alone takes cuts 3. Or……get ‘em while stock last

2003

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BRS SEMINAR 2005Friday 4 February

Improving Climate Risk Management in Australia’s Southern Livestock Industries

Greg Laughlin - BRSSimon Knapp - BRSSimon Barry - BRS