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The four separate biological stocks of Australian Sardine are sustainable. It is caught commercially in WA, SA, VIC, TAS, NSW and Commonwealth waters using nets. 

Australian Sardine off southern Australia is a meta-population [Whittington et al. 2008], with effective isolation of four separate biological stocks: the South Western (off Western Australia); Southern (off South Australia); South Eastern (off Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW) and Eastern (off northern New South Wales and southern Queensland) Australian stocks [Izzo et al. 2017]. Recent evidence has confirmed the separation of the South Eastern Australia stock from the Eastern Australia stock [Sexton et al. 2018]. There is some evidence that the South Western and Eastern biological stocks each include two separate sub-components [Gaughan et al. 2002, Izzo et al. 2017]. The two sub-components off Western Australia were previously reported as two separate biological stocks, but these have now been merged into a single South Western Australia stock, which is managed as two separate units.

Stock status for Australian Sardine is presented at the biological stock level—South Western Australia, Eastern Australia, South Eastern Australia and Southern Australia.

South Eastern Australia

The South Eastern Australia stock of Australian Sardine was first assessed in 2018. Spawning biomass and exploitation rate are the primary biological performance indicators.

A recent study by Ward et al. [2023] integrated data from DEPM surveys undertaken primarily to assess Common Jack Mackerel in 2014 [Ward et al. 2015b], 2016–17 [Ward et al. 2018] and 2020 [Ward et al. 2022]. That study showed that the spawning biomass in the area surveyed was 262,564 t (95% confidence interval 125,670–326,438 t).  Habitat modelling suggests that the total spawning biomass may be approximately 350,000 to 400,000 t [Ward et al. 2023].  

Catches of Australian Sardine from southern New South Wales peaked at around 4,800 t in 2009 but have averaged approximately 120 t per annum since 2011–12 after a fire destroyed the processing factory in Eden. Australian Sardine landings from Victoria have largely been taken from eastern Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay, and have fluctuated greatly. Landings peaked at around 5,000 t in 1983, but have mostly been below 1000 t since, with landings in 2021–22 being 563 t [VFA 2022]. Commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay ceased in 2022, so it is likely that future catches of Australian Sardine in Victoria will be  solely from Bass Strait. Historical Tasmanian catches have been negligible with a maximum catch of 33 t taken in 2017–18. 

Recent catches equate to an exploitation rate of less than 1% of the estimated spawning biomass in the surveyed area of Bass Strait of 262,564 t, which is below the level considered safe for this species (i.e., 30%) by Smith et al. [2015]. New evidence of the large stock of Australian Sardine in Bass Strait [Ward et al. 2023] could support establishment of a Tasmanian fishery [Ward and Gardner 2022].

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the South Eastern Australia biological stock is classified as a sustainable stock.

Australian Sardine biology [Stewart et al. 2010; Ward and Grammer 2018]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Australian Sardine

Commonwealth – Commercial (Catch) Commonwealth data is presented for 2021–22 financial year. 

Commonwealth – Recreational The Australian Government does not manage recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters. Recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the state or territory immediately adjacent to those waters, under its management regulations.

Commonwealth – Indigenous The Australian Government does not manage non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters, with the exception of the Torres Strait. In general, non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the state or territory immediately adjacent to those waters.

Western Australia – Recreational (Management Methods) a Recreational Fishing from Boat License is required for use of a powered boat to fish or to transport catch or fishing gear to or from a land-based fishing location. 

New South Wales – Indigenous (Management Methods) https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aboriginal-fishing

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods) A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

Commercial catch of Australian Sardine - note confidential catch not shown

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