After a cracker of a season across many Commonwealth managed fisheries this year, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, is encouraging Australians to add sustainable, local seafood to your Christmas menu this year.
“Be it a feast of Aussie prawns, grilled flathead with a mango salsa, or pan-seared toothfish, there are so many choices of seafood when it comes to your Christmas menu,” Minister Ruston said.
“Many of our Commonwealth fishers have taken their best catches in close to 20 years.
“What this means for consumers is plenty of fresh, local, scrumptious seafood in retail outlets and fish shops this festive season—from tiger prawns up in the top end, to toothfish in the Southern Ocean, to Bass Strait scallops in the south.
“Importantly, if you are buying seafood from an Australian fishery, you can have confidence that the stock is sustainable and being well-managed.
“Our Commonwealth fisheries regulator, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) takes a precautionary approach to fisheries management, using the best available science and enforces strict management measures to ensure that current and future generations can continue to enjoy a healthy supply of Australian seafood.
“As a result of this approach, and industry, scientists and government working together to make tough decisions when they were needed, fish stocks are in good shape. This Christmas, for the first time in more than a decade, sustainably caught eastern orange roughy can be added to your menu thanks to the fishery’s reopening this year.
“Moreover, for the second year in a row, the ABARES Fishery status reports 2015 showed that no solely Commonwealth managed fishery was subject to overfishing.
“By buying Australian seafood this Christmas you are also supporting many local businesses across our nation, from the fisher, through the supply chain to the retailer and fish and chip shop owner.
“So I encourage all Australians to enjoy the abundant supply this year and add some fresh, local, delicious seafood to your Christmas menu, and support our local industry.”
More information on the Commonwealth’s sustainable fisheries management can be found at afma.gov.au.
@Anne_Ruston
/AnneRuston