1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/09/2002   
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Contents >> Fishing >> Wild fisheries >> Abalone

Two species of abalone are harvested in Tasmania: blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) and greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata). Both species are mobile bottom dwellers that graze on drift seaweed and algae on rock surfaces.

The value of abalone production in 2000-01 was $129.4m, based on a catch of 2,709 tonnes.

ABALONE FISHERY, Tasmania
Weight
Value of production

 Years
tonnes
$m
1996-97
2,227
63.1
1997-98
2,363
80.9
1998-99
2,559
74.2
1999-2000
2,565
99.5
2000-01
2,709
129.4
Source: Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.

Commercial fishing of abalone is carried out by divers using compressed air (usually supplied from the surface by hookah gear). The vast majority of the catch is taken close to shore in depths of less than 20 metres.




This section contains the following subsection :
          Management of the abalone fishery
          Markets

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