Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy adopted by PZJA
What is the Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy?
The Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy (BDM HS) was adopted by the PZJA at their meeting on 19 November 2019. A harvest strategy is a framework for making evidence-based, precautionary and transparent decisions about the amount of fish that can be caught in a fishing season. The BDM HS sets out the objectives for the fishery, and how the fishery is monitored and assessed. The BDM HS also sets out clear rules to guide how to re-open a closed species for fishing if enough information is available. Applying the BDM HS will provide greater certainty to fishers, traditional owners, communities, scientists and managers about how the fishery will be managed.
Download a copy of the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy 2019.
What does this mean for the 2020 BDM fishing season?
The BDM HS will come in to effect on 1 January 2020 with agreed changes to beche-de-mer species Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits and agreed weight conversion ratios, implemented through conditions on Traditional Inhabitant Boat (TIB) licences.
Changes to TACs under the draft Beche-de-mer Harvest Strategy
| Species/Basket | Existing TAC | New TAC under the BDM Harvest Strategy in 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Prickly redfish | 15 tonnes | 15 tonnes |
| White teatfish | 15 tonnes | 15 tonnes |
| Deepwater redfish | Part of 80 tonne basket TAC | 5 tonnes |
| Hairy blackfish | Part of 80 tonne basket TAC | 5 tonnes |
| Greenfish | Part of 80 tonne basket TAC | 40 tonnes |
| Curryfish species (common, vastus and occelatus) | Part of 80 tonne basket TAC | 60 tonnes combined basket TAC |
| Black teatfish | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes (CLOSED) |
| Surf redfish | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes (CLOSED) |
| Sandfish | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes (CLOSED) |
| All other BDM species | Part of 80 tonne basket TAC | 50 tonnes combined basket TAC |
For more information on Harvest Strategies, download our Harvest Strategies FAQs or contact the AFMA Thursday Island office on 07 4069 1990 or email fisheriesTI@afma.gov.au.