FRDC to promote sustainability evidence
The past five years in particular have brought
recovery to many fish stocks and improved the
outlook of many previously threatened species. But
the Australian public has largely failed to recognise
... the improvements, according to a community
perceptions study the Fisheries Research and
Development Corporation (FRDC) commissioned in April 2011. The survey found that only 37 per cent of
people believed Australia’s fishing industry was
sustainable overall, with a similar number undecided,
while 26 per cent believed it was unsustainable. The
findings are similar to those of a 2003 community
perceptions study.
FRDC Chairman, Harry Woods says “the survey
findings are disappointing, particularly given recent
improvements in the industry and in the health of the
fisheries resource. As a result the FRDC intend to
ensure that the public, and the media, have access to
the best available scientific evidence and credible
information about our fisheries”.
An important part of the strategy will be the National
Fisheries Stock Status Reports, already under
development. The FRDC will actively engage and
promote the results of research to the Australian
community, media outlets and seafood consumers.
The reports, initiated by the FRDC, will be compiled
by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics and Sciences (ABARES), with input from
Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory
governments.
The first National Fisheries Stock Status Report is
expected to be launched mid-2012 and will be
available from a dedicated website
(www.fish.gov.au). It will provide status assessments
for the top 50 wild-caught species, based primarily on
their contribution to the value of Australian fisheries.
It will include information on stock levels, catch,
fishing methods, basic biology and environmental
issues. It is expected that future editions of the
report will increase the number of species considered
and the information provided. Source FRDC Fish News –
The past five years in particular have brought
recovery to many fish stocks and improved the
outlook of many previously threatened species. But
the Australian public has largely failed to recognise
... the improvements, according to a community
perceptions study the Fisheries Research and
Development Corporation (FRDC) commissioned in April 2011. The survey found that only 37 per cent of
people believed Australia’s fishing industry was
sustainable overall, with a similar number undecided,
while 26 per cent believed it was unsustainable. The
findings are similar to those of a 2003 community
perceptions study.
FRDC Chairman, Harry Woods says “the survey
findings are disappointing, particularly given recent
improvements in the industry and in the health of the
fisheries resource. As a result the FRDC intend to
ensure that the public, and the media, have access to
the best available scientific evidence and credible
information about our fisheries”.
An important part of the strategy will be the National
Fisheries Stock Status Reports, already under
development. The FRDC will actively engage and
promote the results of research to the Australian
community, media outlets and seafood consumers.
The reports, initiated by the FRDC, will be compiled
by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics and Sciences (ABARES), with input from
Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory
governments.
The first National Fisheries Stock Status Report is
expected to be launched mid-2012 and will be
available from a dedicated website
(www.fish.gov.au). It will provide status assessments
for the top 50 wild-caught species, based primarily on
their contribution to the value of Australian fisheries.
It will include information on stock levels, catch,
fishing methods, basic biology and environmental
issues. It is expected that future editions of the
report will increase the number of species considered
and the information provided. Source FRDC Fish News –
