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Value of fisheries production
Australia's major commercially accessed species are prawns, rock lobster, abalone, tuna, other fin fish, scallops, and edible and pearl oysters. Australian fishing operators concentrate their efforts on estuarine, coastal, pelagic (surface) species and demersal (bottom living) species that occur on the continental shelf.
Table 17.5 shows the quantity and table 17.6 the gross value of the production of the Australian commercial fishing industry. Australian fisheries production covers total production from both Commonwealth and State managed fisheries and from aquaculture. Gross value of production is the value placed on recorded production at the wholesale price realised in the principal markets. In general, the principal markets are the metropolitan markets in each State. However, in cases where commodities are consumed locally or where they become raw material for a secondary industry, these points are treated as the principal markets.
The gross value of Australian fisheries production (including aquaculture) rose by 13% ($261m) in 1999-2000, to $2.3b (table 17.7) following on from a 9% increase the previous year. Contributing to this latest rise was a 39% increase in the value of abalone production and a 30% increase in the value of rock lobster catches (table 17.8). Other significant increases in the value of production occurred in tuna (16%) and oysters (16%). In quantity terms there was a 7% fall over the year in Australian fisheries production to 221,000 tonnes, with the falls in prawn production (17%) and other fin fish (10%), more than cancelling the increases in oysters (21%) and rock lobster (5%) (table 17.9).
Commonwealth fisheries accounted for 18% of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 1999-2000 (table 17.6). Commonwealth fisheries are those managed for the Commonwealth Government by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. State Governments manage inland fisheries and aquaculture, in addition to those salt water fisheries not managed by the Commonwealth. The distribution of the management of fisheries between the Commonwealth and the States is determined following consultations held under the Offshore Constitutional Settlement Agreement.
17.5 AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES PRODUCTION, By State(a) - 1999-2000 |
|
| NSW
tonnes | Vic.
tonnes | Qld
tonnes | SA
tonnes | WA
tonnes | Tas.
tonnes | NT
tonnes | C’wealth(b)
tonnes | Aust.
tonnes |
|
Fish | | | | | | | | | |
Tuna | 31 | - | - | 7,803 | 33 | - | 8 | (c)13,473 | (d)16,218 |
Other | 9,734 | 4,207 | 10,920 | 8,406 | 16,164 | 15,742 | 3,606 | (e)44,521 | 113,302 |
Total | 9,765 | 4,207 | 10,920 | 16,209 | 16,197 | 15,742 | 3,614 | 57,994 | 129,520 |
Crustaceans | | | | | | | | | |
Prawns | 2,353 | 104 | 8,687 | 2,416 | 4,474 | - | - | (f)7,830 | 25,864 |
Rock lobster | 113 | 543 | 463 | 2,721 | 14,599 | 1,466 | - | 359 | 20,264 |
Other | 594 | 76 | 3,568 | 644 | 1,054 | 78 | 998 | 262 | 7,274 |
Total | 3,060 | 723 | 12,718 | 5,781 | 20,127 | 1,544 | 999 | 8,452 | 53,403 |
Molluscs | | | | | | | | | |
Abalone | 305 | 1,418 | na | 889 | 331 | 2,565 | - | - | 5,508 |
Scallops | - | 346 | 7,398 | - | 2,756 | 423 | 2 | 22 | 10,947 |
Oysters | 5,584 | - | 143 | 2,494 | - | 4,748 | - | - | 12,969 |
Other | 1146 | 1145 | 209 | 1938 | 985 | 807 | 1,043 | (g)1,447 | 8,720 |
Total | 7,035 | 2,909 | 7,750 | 5,321 | 4,072 | 8,543 | 1,045 | 1,469 | 38,144 |
Total quantity | 19,860 | 7,839 | 31,388 | 27,648 | 40,396 | 25,829 | 5,657 | 67,915 | 221,405 |
|
(a) Includes estimates of aquaculture production (except Northern Territory); excludes production of pearl oysters, and hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
(b) Total includes all fisheries under federal jurisdiction.
(c) Includes the southern bluefin, eastern tuna and billfish, southern and western tuna fisheries.
(d) Total has been adjusted to allow for southern bluefin tuna caught in the Commonwealth southern bluefin tuna fishery, as an input to farms in South Australia.
(e) Includes the fish component of Commonwealth fisheries, plus catch from Commonwealth fisheries that cannot be disaggregated due to confidentiality reasons.
(f) Includes the northern prawn, Torres Strait, south east and other fisheries.
(g) Includes squid, octopus and cuttlefish from the south east and Great Australian Bight fisheries, and pearl oyster from the Torres Strait fishery. |
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
17.6 GROSS VALUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES PRODUCTION, By State(a) - 1999-2000 |
|
| NSW
$’000 | Vic.
$’000 | Qld
$’000 | SA
$’000 | WA
$’000 | Tas.
$’000 | NT
$’000 | C’wealth(b)
$’000 | Aust.
$’000 |
|
Fish | | | | | | | | | |
Tuna | 83 | - | - | 202,295 | 200 | - | 38 | (c)106,095 | (d)254,840 |
Other | 31,897 | 20,742 | 65,385 | 20,617 | 41,895 | 90,222 | 16,226 | (e)160,935 | 447,929 |
Total | 31,980 | 20,742 | 65,385 | 222,912 | 42,095 | 90,222 | 16,264 | 267,030 | 702,769 |
Crustaceans | | | | | | | | | |
Prawns | 30,305 | 1,306 | 119,929 | 43,771 | 76,735 | - | - | (f)135,684 | 407,730 |
Rock lobster | 4,151 | 17,326 | 5,519 | 81,038 | 385,441 | 45,680 | - | 5,390 | 544,545 |
Other | 4,679 | 983 | 20,353 | 3,827 | 8,406 | 1,954 | 12,062 | 2,457 | 54,721 |
Total | 39,135 | 19,615 | 145,801 | 128,636 | 470,582 | 47,634 | 12,062 | 143,530 | 1,006,995 |
Molluscs | | | | | | | | | |
Abalone | 10,668 | 57,743 | na | 32,394 | 35,310 | 99,513 | - | - | 235,628 |
Scallops | - | 642 | 18,068 | - | 14,471 | 5,280 | 5 | 91 | 38,557 |
Oysters | 28,813 | - | 650 | 9,309 | - | 13,176 | - | - | 51,948 |
Other | 4,438 | 3,019 | 1,853 | 5,466 | 205,032 | 3,137 | 3,353 | (g)2,095 | 228,393 |
Total | 43,919 | 61,404 | 20,571 | 47,169 | 254,813 | 121,106 | 3,358 | 2,186 | 554,526 |
Total value | 115,034 | 101,761 | 231,757 | 401,638 | 767,590 | 258,962 | (h)86,684 | 412,749 | 2,322,305 |
|
(a) Includes estimates of the value of aquaculture production, but excludes the value of hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
(b) Total includes all fisheries under federal jurisdiction.
(c) Includes the southern bluefin, eastern tuna and billfish, southern and western tuna fisheries.
(d) Total has been adjusted to allow for southern bluefin tuna caught in the Commonwealth southern bluefin tuna fishery, as an input to farms in South Australia.
(e) Includes the fish component of the Commonwealth fisheries.
(f) Includes the northern prawn, Torres Strait, south east and other fisheries.
(g) Includes squid, octopus and cuttlefish from the south east and Great Australian Bight fisheries, and pearl oyster from the Torres Strait fishery.
(h) Northern Territory aquaculture has been aggregated for reasons of confidentiality. Total only sums across.
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
17.7 GROSS VALUE OF FISHERIES PRODUCTION(a) |
|
| Value
$m |
|
1980-81 | 330 |
1981-82 | 344 |
1982-83 | 423 |
1983-84 | 449 |
1984-85 | 522 |
1985-86 | 635 |
1986-87 | 702 |
1987-88 | 828 |
1988-89 | 1,022 |
1989-90 | 1,092 |
1990-91 | 1,223 |
1991-92 | 1,376 |
1992-93 | 1,493 |
1993-94 | 1,679 |
1994-95 | 1,813 |
1995-96 | 1,690 |
1996-97 | 1,776 |
1997-98 | 1,883 |
1998-99
1999-2000 | 2,061
2,322 |
|
(a) Includes estimates of the value of aquaculture production, but excludes the value of hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
17.8 GROSS VALUE OF SELECTED FISHERY PRODUCTS(a) |
|
| 1997-98
$m | 1998-99
$m | 1999-2000
$m |
|
Prawns | 385 | 417 | 408 |
Rock lobster | 377 | 418 | 545 |
Tuna | 131 | 220 | 255 |
Other fin fish | 396 | 428 | 448 |
Abalone | 182 | 170 | 236 |
Scallops | 39 | 37 | 39 |
Oysters | 47 | 45 | 52 |
Pearls (b) | 189 | 183 | 191 |
Other n.e.i. (c) | 137 | 143 | 148 |
Total | 1,883 | 2,061 | 2,322 |
|
(a) Includes estimates of the value of aquaculture production, but excludes the value of hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
(b) Excludes Northern Territory.
(c) Includes pearl oysters and aquaculture for the Northern Territory
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
17.9 AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES PRODUCTION, By Category(a) |
|
| 1997-98
tonnes | 1998-99
tonnes | 1999-2000
tonnes |
|
Fish | | | |
Tuna | 11,890 | 16,728 | 16,218 |
Other | 134,287 | 125,270 | 113,302 |
Total | 146,177 | 141,998 | 129,520 |
Crustaceans | | | |
Prawns | 29,603 | 31,182 | 25,864 |
Rock lobster | 16,616 | 19,224 | 20,264 |
Other | 7,498 | 6,537 | 7,274 |
Total | 53,717 | 56,943 | 53,403 |
Molluscs | | | |
Abalone | 5,226 | 5,614 | 5,508 |
Scallops | 5,759 | 11,621 | 10,947 |
Oysters | 10,499 | 10,731 | 12,969 |
Other | 7,594 | 9,481 | 8,720 |
Total | 29,078 | 37,447 | 38,144 |
Total | 229,351 | 236,800 | 221,405 |
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(a) Includes estimates of aquaculture production (except Northern Territory); excludes production of pearl oysters, and hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
Aquaculture, or 'fish farming', is an alternative to harvesting the naturally occurring fish stocks, and has considerable potential as a means of ensuring sustainability of harvesting yields. Aquaculture industries are established in all States, with species involved ranging from pearl oysters to freshwater trout. Aquaculture has experienced rapid growth over recent years, with the value of production rising from $188m in 1989-90 to $678m in 1999-2000, a 260% increase.
In 1999-2000 the value of Australian aquaculture production increased by $74.1m (12%) (table 17.10). Aquaculture accounted for 29% of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 1999-2000, the same as the previous year. The increase in the value of aquaculture production was mainly due to a $36m (21%) rise in the value of tuna production, with salmon and prawn increasing $13.3m (19%) and $9.5m (23%) respectively.
17.10 GROSS VALUE OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION(a) |
|
| 1997-98
$m | 1998-99
$m | 1999-2000
$m |
|
Fish | | | |
Salmon | 63.6 | 71.5 | 84.8 |
Tuna | 87.2 | 166.7 | 202.3 |
Trout | 11.2 | 11.8 | 12.4 |
Other(b) | 11.4 | 13.7 | 14.5 |
Total | 173.4 | 263.8 | 314.1 |
Crustaceans | | | |
Prawn | 38.0 | 42.2 | 51.7 |
Other(c) | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
Total | 43.0 | 46.7 | 57.5 |
Molluscs | | | |
Pearl oysters | 189.4 | 182.6 | 190.5 |
Edible oysters | 47.0 | 45.2 | 51.9 |
Other(d) | 4.8 | 7.6 | 6.3 |
Total | 241.2 | 235.4 | 248.7 |
Total(e)(f) | 506.0 | 604.2 | 678.3 |
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(a) Excludes aquarium fish, hatcheries production, crocodiles, microalgae and aquarium worms.
(b) Includes eels and other native fish.
(c) Includes crabs and brine shrimp.
(d) Includes mussels, scallops and giant clams.
(e) Includes Northern Territory aquaculture production which has been aggregated due to confidentiality reasons.
(f) Includes production of species in South Australia unable to be assigned to a specific category.
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
Table 17.11 shows the volume of Australian aquaculture production for the three years 1997-98 to 1999-2000, with the latest year showing a 19% increase in total. Edible oysters accounted for the most aquaculture production in 1999-2000 with 12,969 tonnes, a 21% increase on the previous year. Salmon and tuna production in 1999-2000 increased by 19% and 23% to 10,907 tonnes and 7,803 tonnes respectively.
17.11 AUSTRALIAN AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION(a) |
|
| 1997-98
tonnes | 1998-99
tonnes | 1999-2000
tonnes |
|
Fish | | | |
Salmon | 7,069 | 9,195 | 10,907 |
Trout | 1,438 | 1,646 | 1,942 |
Tuna | 5,140 | 6,365 | 7,803 |
Other(b) | 1,023 | 1,164 | 1,295 |
Total | 14,670 | 18,370 | 21,947 |
Crustaceans | | | |
Prawn | 2,059 | 2,319 | 2,950 |
Yabbies | 306 | 245 | 290 |
Marron | 48 | 49 | 52 |
Other(c) | 60 | 78 | 77 |
Total | 2,473 | 2,691 | 3,369 |
Molluscs | | | |
Edible oysters | 10,499 | 10,731 | 12,969 |
Other(d) | 1,456 | 2,024 | 2,010 |
Total | 11,955 | 12,755 | 14,979 |
Total(e) | 29,477 | 34,228 | 40,632 |
|
(a) Excludes Northern Territory.
(b) Includes eels and other native fish.
(c) Includes crabs and brine shrimp.
(d) Includes mussels, scallops and giant clams.
(e) Includes production of species in South Australia unable to be assigned to a specific category.
Source: 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2000', Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics. |
Processing of fish, crustaceans and molluscs
In Australia very little processing of fish products is undertaken which adds value to the product. Processing establishments vary in size, scope of operations and sophistication of technologies employed. The majority of establishments undertake only the most basic cleaning, filleting, chilling, freezing and packaging processes, but some have the capacity for significant product transformation. Much of the value that is added to the catch is due to correct handling and quick delivery by air to local or overseas markets.
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs intended for export are processed in establishments registered under the Export (Fish) Regulations. Edible fish for local consumption are mainly sent fresh-chilled to markets.
Exports and imports
Exports of fisheries products come under Commonwealth jurisdiction, while domestic market activity is the responsibility of the States and Territories.
A significant proportion of Australian fisheries production (edible and non-edible) is exported. In 1999-2000, the value of exports rose by 31% to almost $2.0b (table 17.12). About one-third of the increase is due to a $164m increase in pearl exports, most of which can be attributed to all pearls exported on consignment being classified as merchandise trade. Similarly, all imports including those previously exported and not sold are now also classified as merchandise trade , resulting in an increase of similar proportions in total imports of fisheries products. The value of rock lobster exports increased by 28% to $578m, making rock lobster Australia's highest value edible fisheries export in 1999-2000, accounting for 29% of total fisheries products exported. Prawns and abalone were the next largest fisheries exports, worth $244m and $223m respectively. For some fisheries categories the value of exports exceeds the value of production, because exports are valued on a free on board (f.o.b.) basis which includes the value of packaging and distribution services to the point of export.
Japan continued to be the major destination for Australian exports of fisheries products, accounting for 35% of the total value in 1999-2000. Hong Kong and Taiwan accounted for the next largest shares of exported Australian fisheries products, with 19% and 11% respectively of total export value. The value of exports to the United States continued to rise in 1999-2000, a 30% increase following on from a 31% increase the previous year. On the other hand, exports of fisheries products to China fell $62m and are now only one-third of the 1997-98 level.
Western Australia continued to have the highest value of seafood (i.e. edible fisheries products) exports with $526m, or 34% of Australian seafood exports, due mainly to its domination of rock lobster exports (73%). South Australia, the next largest exporter of seafood by value, moved shipments worth $394m, and was the State earning the most from fish exports ($211m). Queensland was the State earning the most from prawn exports.
17.12 DESTINATION OF EXPORTS OF AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES PRODUCTS(a)
| |
| 1997-98
| 1998-99
| 1999-2000
| |
Country | $m | % | $m | % | $m | % | |
| |
Japan | 483 | 32.8 | 462 | 30.8 | 680 | 34.6 | |
Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 245 | 16.6 | 248 | 16.6 | 368 | 18.7 | |
Taiwan | 179 | 12.2 | 170 | 11.4 | 211 | 10.7 | |
United States of America | 110 | 7.5 | 144 | 9.6 | 187 | 9.5 | |
Singapore | 41 | 2.8 | 43 | 2.9 | 60 | 3.1 | |
China | 120 | 8.2 | 104 | 6.9 | 42 | 2.1 | |
Switzerland | 9 | 0.6 | 31 | 2.1 | 26 | 1.3 | |
France | 6 | 0.4 | 14 | 0.9 | 21 | 1.1 | |
Spain | 13 | 0.9 | 23 | 1.5 | 19 | 1.0 | |
New Zealand | 14 | 1.0 | 14 | 0.9 | 16 | 0.8 | |
United Kingdom | 5 | 0.3 | 7 | 0.5 | 13 | 0.7 | |
Thailand | 14 | 1.0 | 11 | 0.7 | 8 | 0.4 | |
Other | 235 | 16.0 | 227 | 15.2 | 314 | 16.0 | |
Total | 1 473 | 100.0 | 1 498 | 100.0 | 1 964 | 100.0 | |
| | | | | | | |
| |
(a) Includes non-edible products (e.g. marine fats and oils, fish meal, pearls and ornamental fish). Excludes sea products landed abroad directly from the high seas.
Source: ABS data available on request, International Trade database. | |
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The total value of Australian imports of fisheries products increased by 24% in 1999-2000, to an estimated $1,092m (table 17.13), although Australia remained a net exporter of fisheries products. Easily the biggest contributor to this rise was the value of imports of pearls, which trebled to $225m; as already indicated, this is mainly due to a revision in the treatment of trade data. Imports of frozen fillets (worth $175m) increased by 11% to remain in value terms the largest edible fisheries product imported, accounting for 16% of the total value of imported fisheries products. The next most valuable imported items were canned fish and prawns, worth $158m and $148m respectively. The main countries of origin of imported fisheries products were Thailand (22% of total import value), New Zealand (14%) and the United States of America (7%).
17.13 SOURCE OF AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS OF FISHERIES PRODUCTS(a)
|
| 1997-98
| 1998-99
| 1999-2000
|
|
Country | $m | % | $m | % | $m | % |
|
Thailand | 218 | 26.6 | 237 | 26.9 | 241 | 22.0 |
New Zealand | 128 | 15.6 | 143 | 16.3 | 156 | 14.3 |
United States of America | 59 | 7.2 | 61 | 6.9 | 75 | 6.9 |
Japan | 33 | 4.0 | 26 | 3.0 | 34 | 3.1 |
South Africa | 26 | 3.2 | 33 | 3.8 | 34 | 3.1 |
Malaysia | 28 | 3.4 | 25 | 2.8 | 32 | 2.9 |
Viet Nam | 22 | 2.7 | 32 | 3.6 | 32 | 2.9 |
Indonesia | 18 | 2.2 | 19 | 2.2 | 25 | 2.3 |
Canada | 21 | 2.5 | 27 | 3.1 | 24 | 2.2 |
Chile | 23 | 2.8 | 21 | 2.4 | 23 | 2.1 |
Taiwan | 20 | 2.4 | 22 | 2.5 | 21 | 1.9 |
Peru | 7 | 0.9 | 10 | 1.1 | 16 | 1.5 |
India | 11 | 1.3 | 15 | 1.7 | 15 | 1.4 |
China | 13 | 1.6 | 13 | 1.5 | 14 | 1.3 |
Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 6 | 0.7 | 11 | 1.3 | 13 | 1.2 |
Singapore | 16 | 2.0 | 11 | 1.3 | 12 | 1.1 |
Other | 172 | 20.9 | 175 | 19.8 | 325 | 29.8 |
Total | 820 | 100.0 | 880 | 100.0 | 1 092 | 100.0 |
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(a) Includes non-edible products (e.g. marine fats and oils, fish meal, pearls and ornamental fish).
Source: ABS data available on request, International Trade data base. |
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