Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment Review

We have closed this GoFundMe Page for donations - please go to our other projects to assist our efforts to maintain access to sustainably harvested wild seafood from Queensland Waters.

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Hi - David Bobbermen here. I am the CEO of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association Inc. (QSIA).

QSIA is seeking the support of all fishers (Commercial, Charter and Recreational) to fund a review of the 2021 East Coast Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment (ECSMSA).

A Copy of the ECSMSA can be located here.

As a result of the ECSMSA, the changes in allowable catch for the fishery effected from 1 July 2023 are:

On 1 July 2023, the recreational possession limit will change to one fish per person, or two fish per boat with two or more recreational fishers on board (the boat limit will not apply to licensed charter fishing trips).

On 1 July 2023, the extended charter trip limit will be removed (currently allows recreational fishers to take twice the in-possession limit for charter trips longer than 48 hours).

On 1 July 2023, the total allowable commercial catch will be adjusted to 165 tonnes for the 2023 fishing season (a reduction of 79% from prior years).

More details on the upcoming management changes can be found here

QSIA has appointed an independent scientist, Dr Hoyle of New Zealand, to conduct the review of the 2021 ECSMSA in late May this year (2023). Dr Hoyle is a highly regarded stock assessment scientist with previous experience with earlier ECSMSA. Dr Hoyle is an expert in the Tuna Family, which ECSM is a member of.

A GoFundMe budget of $25,000 has been set to carry out this review.

Subscribe to our ECSMSA newsletter to stay abreast of the progress of the review.

To find out more about QSIA visit our website here

All funds donated are being held in a special bank account held in the name of QSIA.