18 May 2006 - A recommendation
to list a commercially-targeted fish as an endangered
species will be made available to the public,
the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
Expert advice from the Australian
Government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee
has recommended that the Orange Roughy is eligible
to be listed as endangered under federal environment
law. Further analysis by the Department of Environment
and Heritage supports the conclusion that the
species in Australia has undergone an unplanned
and severe decline in numbers.
Orange Roughy is a commercially-targeted
marine fish, primarily caught in the Southern
and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery off the
south-east coast of the mainland and around Tasmania.
It is a slow maturing species that can live up
to 150 years.
“This is the first time a commercially-targeted
species has been unambiguously recommended for
protection under federal law,” said Senator Campbell.
“Even though there has already
been a three month public comment period for this
nomination, I have decided to release the advice
for a period of four weeks for the public to consider.
“The Minister for Fisheries,
Senator Eric Abetz, agrees that this additional
comment period reflects the significance of the
recommendation, and the fact that there will be
a great deal of community and sectoral interest
in it.
“In preparing its expert advice
to me, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee
has considered an extensive range of scientific
research and studies and has widely consulted
with a range of industry and scientific sources.
My Department has undertaken further analysis
of the reduction in biomass and whether, as a
managed commercial species, the reduction is within
planned ecologically sustainable limits or outside
those management limits, thus placing the species
at risk of extinction.
“My final decision must be based
on the science of the species and its survival.
I welcome any relevant input on the scientific
advice which I will consider, together with the
Committee’s advice, before making my decision.
The Committee’s advice together
with the Department’s analysis is at www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html
