Abalone Fishery Up and Running

The commercial wild abalone fishery finally opened on 1 July 2010. Since then, many right holders have been able to successfully apply for their fishing permits (and applicable exemptions) and start fishing. However, the abalone industry association has noted that a number of glitches remained but are being resolved. What is apparent (and importantly different from the past) is that there is now regular contact and communication between right holders, the association and the fisheries department.

This positive start has laid the foundations for building a strong relationship between right holders and the fisheries department as they must now together commence important work on curbing poaching and developing a viable management policy for abalone. The next commercial fishing rights allocation is set to commence in early 2013 but preparations for this quota allocation process will have to commence very shortly.