The Tasmanian Abalone Harvest Strategy guides management of the fishery to prevent overfishing and ensure that Tasmanians can enjoy plentiful resources for generations to come.
Background
Following public consultation and advice from the Abalone Fishery Advisory Committee (AbFAC) and the Recreational Fishery Advisory Committee (RecFAC), a harvest strategy to guide management of the abalone fishery was first approved by the Minister in 2018.
Abalone Harvest Strategy (2018) (PDF 2Mb)
The harvest strategy identifies objectives for fisheries management, including ensuring abalone are sustainably harvested, and seeks to achieve those objectives through monitoring of fishery performance, with performance indicators linked to management actions.
Review of the 2018 Strategy
The Abalone Harvest Strategy (2018) was reviewed by the CSIRO in 2021. While the strategy is working well, 20 recommendations were made for potential improvements.
CSIRO - Review of the Tasmanian Abalone Harvest Strategy
A Technical Reference Group (TRG) was formed in July 2022 to review the CSIRO report.
Technical Reference Group - Response to the 2021 review of the Abalone Harvest Strategy
Public consultation is underway on an updated Abalone Harvest Strategy.
Application
The Tasmanian Abalone Harvest Strategy applies to commercial and non-commercial fishing in state waters relating to the take of Blacklip Abalone (Haliotis rubra) or Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis laevigata).
The commercial sector includes Aboriginal people engaged in commercial fishing activities. The non-commercial sector includes Aboriginal cultural fishing, recreational fishing and charter fishing activities.
The harvest strategy does not apply to the abalone aquaculture industry.