TARFish submission - calamari management

TARFish was asked to consider DPIPWE’s draft position on calamari management in June.

Our response included “TARFish believes the current bag/possession limits are reasonable given the value that the recreational sector places on this fishery. The feedback we have received from recreational fishers is that no reduction in bag/possession levels for calamari are required/justified.” and “The maximum, sustainable yield (MSY) is estimated at 75t and has been consistently exceeded by the commercial sector by around 40% the in last three years. Given the rapid decline in the fishery (which was rated “sustainable” in 2016/17) it would appear that commercial management controls must be able to demonstrate with sufficient certainty that the sectors catch will be constrained below this level. Not to do so risks the long-term viability of the spawning populations in Tasmania.