A comprehensive survey of Australian sardine conducted by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies estimates the spawning biomass of the South-eastern sardine stock to be more than 200,000 tonnes.
The survey covered a total area of almost 150,000 km2 around Tasmania, Victora and New South Wales during December 2023 and January 2024. The highest densities of spawning biomass were present in the Bass Strait and off the coast of western Victoria.
These results demonstrate the biomass of Australian Sardine around Tasmania is large enough to sustainably support a commercial Tasmanian sardine fishery. The research provides a basis to guide future management decisions, and makes recommendations for future research and monitoring should a fishery be developed.
Read the full research report on the FRDC website: Research to Support the Development of a Tasmanian Sardine Fishery.
Other Relevant Research
Southern Bluefin Tuna Diet Study
The Tasmanian Government, in partnership with IMAS and TARFish, is running a new citizen science project to better understand the diet of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) in Tasmanian waters. Participants can send their SBT stomachs in for scientific analysis. By studying what they eat and how their diet changes accross locations and seasons, we can:
- Update scientific knowledge about tuna diets in Tasmanian waters
- Contribute to ecosystem understanding
- Support responsible fisheries management
Lead Scientist Dr Tim Ward Explains