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Production, processing, and exports and imports of fisheries products
Value of fisheries production
Australia's major commercially accessed species are prawns, rock lobster, abalone, tuna, other finfish, 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 17.7 shows the quantity and table 17.8 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 4% ($103m) in 2000-01, to $2.5b (table 17.9) following a 13% increase the previous year. Contributing to this latest rise were a 29% increase in the value of tuna production and a 24% increase in the value of the rock lobster catch (table 17.10). As well, the values of the prawn and crab catches each rose by 10%. In quantity terms, there was a 1% increase over the year in Australian fisheries production to 230,000 tonnes, with an 11% increase in prawn production the most significant contributor (table 17.11).
Commonwealth fisheries accounted for 19% of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2000-01 (table 17.8). 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.
17.7 FISHERIES PRODUCTION(a) - 2000-01
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| | NSW | Vic. | Qld | SA | WA | Tas. | NT | Cwlth(b) | Aust. |
| | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes |
|
Fish | | | | | | | | | |
| Tuna | 28 | - | - | 9,051 | 17 | - | 12 | (c)12,159 | (d)16,105 |
| Other | 11,106 | 4,494 | 14,661 | 12,130 | 14,905 | 13,445 | 4,678 | (e)44,661 | 120,080 |
| Total | 11,134 | 4,494 | 14,661 | 21,181 | 14,922 | 13,445 | 4,691 | 56,820 | 136,186 |
Crustaceans | | | | | | | | | |
| Prawns | 2,600 | 172 | 9,441 | 2,988 | 2,976 | - | - | (f)11,375 | 29,552 |
| Rock lobster | 105 | 587 | 512 | 2,563 | 11,348 | 1,519 | - | 276 | 16,910 |
| Other | 596 | 154 | 4,257 | 765 | 1,264 | 102 | 1,208 | 303 | 8,649 |
| Total | 3,300 | 913 | 14,211 | 6,316 | 15,588 | 1,621 | 1,208 | 11,954 | 55,112 |
Molluscs | | | | | | | | | |
| Abalone | 305 | 1,409 | - | 920 | 316 | 2,709 | - | - | 5,659 |
| Scallops | - | 810 | 4,905 | - | 3,166 | 47 | 1 | 31 | 8,960 |
| Oysters(g) | 5,141 | - | 91 | 2,202 | - | 5,200 | - | - | 12,634 |
| Other | 1,524 | 1,364 | 267 | 2,263 | 1,269 | 436 | 202 | (h)3,305 | 10,630 |
| Total | 6,970 | 3,583 | 5,263 | 5,385 | 4,751 | 8,393 | 202 | 3,336 | 37,883 |
Total quantity | 21,405 | (i)9,078 | 34,135 | (i)33,362 | (i)35,353 | 23,459 | 6,101 | 72,110 | 229,841 |
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(a) Includes estimates of aquaculture production (except NT); excludes 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 down so as not to double count some Southern bluefin tuna caught in the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery which was used as input to farms in SA.
(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) Excludes pearl oyster production.
(h) Includes squid, octopus and cuttlefish from the South East and Great Australian Bight fisheries, and pearl oyster from the Torres Strait Fishery.
(i) Includes production not elsewhere specified due to confidentiality. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
17.8 GROSS VALUE OF FISHERIES PRODUCTION(a) - 2000-01
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| | NSW | Vic. | Qld | SA | WA | Tas. | NT | Cwlth(b) | Aust. |
| | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 | $’000 |
|
Fish | | | | | | | | | |
| Tuna | 108 | - | - | 263,793 | 97 | - | 46 | (c)123,931 | (d)328,616 |
| Other | 35,808 | 21,467 | 92,144 | 24,723 | 34,480 | 98,971 | 21,108 | (e)148,071 | 476,772 |
| Total | 35,916 | 21,467 | 92,144 | 288,516 | 34,577 | 98,971 | 21,154 | 272,002 | 805,388 |
Crustaceans | | | | | | | | | |
| Prawns | 34,869 | 2,259 | 146,304 | 52,682 | 46,512 | - | - | (f)190,390 | 473,016 |
| Rock lobster | 4,489 | 21,451 | 7,056 | 82,726 | 299,629 | 58,011 | - | 7,168 | 480,531 |
| Other | 5,144 | 1,261 | 27,405 | 4,606 | 10,513 | 2,640 | 11,152 | 3,055 | 65,775 |
| Total | 44,502 | 24,971 | 180,765 | 140,014 | 356,654 | 60,650 | 11,152 | 200,614 | 1,019,322 |
Molluscs | | | | | | | | | |
| Abalone | 15,200 | 70,387 | - | 42,688 | 15,612 | 129,463 | - | - | 273,350 |
| Scallops | 3 | 1,619 | 26,600 | - | 15,896 | 79 | 3 | 32 | 44,232 |
| Oysters | 31,603 | - | 442 | 11,011 | 171,048 | 14,430 | - | - | 228,534 |
| Other | 6,150 | 3,506 | 1,823 | 5,326 | 15,884 | 3,124 | 1,962 | (g)6,910 | 44,685 |
| Total | 52,955 | 75,512 | 28,865 | 59,025 | 218,440 | 147,096 | 1,965 | 6,942 | 590,800 |
Total value | 133,373 | (h)127,114 | 301,775 | (h)491,877 | (h)610,050 | 306,718 | (i)89,270 | 479,558 | 2,480,375 |
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(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 down so as not to double count some Southern bluefin tuna caught in the Commonwealth Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery which was used as input to farms in SA.
(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.
(h) Includes value of production not elsewhere specified due to confidentiality.
(i) NT aquaculture has been aggregated for reasons of confidentiality. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
17.9 GROSS VALUE OF FISHERIES PRODUCTION(a)
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| $m |
|
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 | 2,106 |
1999-2000 | 2,377 |
2000-01 | 2,480 |
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(a) Includes estimates of the value of aquaculture production, but excludes the value of hatchery and inland commercial fishery production. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
17.10 GROSS VALUE OF SELECTED FISHERY PRODUCTS(a)
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| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
| $m | $m | $m |
|
Prawns | 443 | 431 | 473 |
Rock lobster | 412 | 552 | 481 |
Tuna | 220 | 255 | 329 |
Other finfish | 439 | 469 | 477 |
Abalone | 173 | 221 | 273 |
Scallops | 40 | 46 | 44 |
Oysters | 45 | 53 | 57 |
Pearls(b) | 183 | 190 | 172 |
Other n.e.i.(c) | 151 | 160 | 174 |
Total | 2,106 | 2,377 | 2,480 |
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(a) Includes estimates of the value of aquaculture production, but excludes the value of hatchery and inland commercial fishery production.
(b) Excludes NT.
(c) Includes pearl oysters and aquaculture for NT. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
17.11 FISHERIES PRODUCTION(a)
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| | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
| | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes |
|
Fish | | | |
| Tuna | 16,738 | 16,201 | 16,105 |
| Other | 127,423 | 118,499 | 120,080 |
| Total | 144,162 | 134,699 | 136,186 |
Crustaceans | | | |
| Prawns | 31,235 | 26,721 | 29,552 |
| Rock lobster | 19,035 | 20,428 | 16,910 |
| Other | 6,557 | 7,722 | 8,649 |
| Total | 56,827 | 54,872 | 55,112 |
Molluscs | | | |
| Abalone | 5,641 | 5,569 | 5,659 |
| Scallops | 11,575 | 12,236 | 8,960 |
| Oysters | 10,731 | 12,046 | 12,634 |
| Other | 9,230 | 8,353 | 10,630 |
| Total | 37,178 | 38,204 | 37,883 |
Total | 238,930 | 228,209 | 229,841 |
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(a) Includes estimates of aquaculture production (except in NT); excludes production of pearl oysters in Qld and WA, and hatchery and inland commercial fishery production. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
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. For more information, see the article Aquaculture and the environment.
In 2000-01, the value of Australian aquaculture production increased by $59.0m (9%) (table 17.12). This increase was mainly due to a $61.8m (31%) rise in the value of tuna production and a $10.5m (12%) increase in the value of salmon.
17.12 GROSS VALUE OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION(a)
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| | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
| | $m | $m | $m |
|
Fish | | | |
| Salmon | 71.5 | 84.8 | 95.3 |
| Tuna | 166.7 | 202.0 | 263.8 |
| Trout | 10.9 | 12.9 | 12.8 |
| Other(b) | 12.5 | 15.0 | 14.9 |
| Total | 261.6 | 314.7 | 386.9 |
Crustaceans | | | |
| Prawn | 42.2 | 51.9 | 49.5 |
| Yabbies | 2.4 | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Other(c) | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.5 |
| Total | 46.7 | 57.7 | 55.4 |
Molluscs | | | |
| Pearl oysters | 182.6 | 190.5 | 171.5 |
| Edible oysters | 45.2 | 53.3 | 57.5 |
| Other(d) | 7.6 | 8.8 | 10.3 |
| Total | 235.4 | 252.6 | 239.3 |
Total(e)(f) | 606.1 | 687.2 | 746.2 |
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(a) Excludes aquarium fish, hatcheries production, crocodiles, microalgae and aquarium worms.
(b) Includes eels, aquarium fish and other native fish.
(c) Includes marron and redclaw.
(d) Includes mussels, scallops, giant clams and abalone.
(e) Includes NT aquaculture production which has been aggregated due to confidentiality reasons.
(f) Includes production of species in SA unable to be assigned to a specific category. |
Source Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
Table 17.13 shows the volume of Australian aquaculture production for the three years 1998-99 to 2000-01, with the latest year showing a 9% increase in total. In 2000-01, production of edible oysters (12,634 tonnes, a 5% increase on the previous year) accounted for the largest share of aquaculture production. Tuna and salmon production in 2000-01 increased by 16% and 12% to 9,051 tonnes and 12,223 tonnes respectively.
17.13 AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION(a)
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| | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
| | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes |
|
Fish | | | |
| Salmon | 9,195 | 10,907 | 12,223 |
| Trout | 1,646 | 1,960 | 1,950 |
| Tuna | 6,365 | 7,780 | 9,051 |
| Other(b) | 1,135 | 1,327 | 1,384 |
| Total | 18,341 | 21,974 | 24,607 |
Crustaceans | | | |
| Prawn | 2,319 | 2,955 | 2,819 |
| Yabbies | 246 | 292 | 276 |
| Other(c) | 127 | 126 | 147 |
| Total | 2,692 | 3,373 | 3,242 |
Molluscs | | | |
| Edible oysters | 10,731 | 12,046 | 12,634 |
| Other(d) | 1,949 | 2,065 | 2,551 |
| Total | 12,680 | 14,111 | 15,184 |
Total(e) | 34,143 | 39,830 | 43,602 |
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(a) Exclude NT.
(b) Includes eels, aquarium fish and other native fish.
(c) Includes marron and redclaw.
(d) Includes mussels, scallops, giant clams and abalone.
(e) Includes production of species in SA unable to be assigned to a specific category. |
Source: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 'Australian Fisheries Statistics, 2001'. |
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.
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 2000-01, the value of exports (including live fish) rose by 9% to $2.2b (table 17.14). Although the value of rock lobster exports fell by 8% to $533m, this product remained Australia's highest earning fisheries export in 2000-01, accounting for 25% of the total value of fisheries products exported. Prawns, whole tuna and abalone were the next largest fish export earners worth $291m, $264m and $249m 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 34% of the total value in 2000-01. Exports to Hong Kong (SAR of China) increased by 37% over the previous year, and now make up 25% of the total value. Slight fluctuations saw the United States of America and Taiwan swap places in the rankings of destinations for Australia's fisheries exports.
Western Australia continued to be the Australian state which earned the most from the export of seafood (i.e. edible fisheries products) with sales of $478m (28% of the total value) contributing, in value terms, 70% of Australian rock lobster exports. South Australia, the next largest earner from the seafood trade, moved shipments worth $452m, bringing in more than half this sum from fish exports ($272m). Queensland prawn exports earned the state $219m out of a total $402m worth of seafood exported.
17.14 DESTINATION OF EXPORTS OF FISHERIES PRODUCTS(a)
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| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
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|
|
|
Country | $m | % | $m | % | $m | % |
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Japan | 463 | 30.6 | 681 | 34.2 | 746 | 34.4 |
Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 260 | 17.2 | 391 | 19.7 | 536 | 24.7 |
United States of America | 145 | 9.6 | 188 | 9.4 | 194 | 8.9 |
Taiwan | 170 | 11.3 | 211 | 10.6 | 181 | 8.3 |
Singapore | 43 | 2.8 | 60 | 3.0 | 61 | 2.8 |
China | 104 | 6.9 | 42 | 2.1 | 51 | 2.4 |
New Zealand | 14 | 0.9 | 16 | 0.8 | 32 | 1.5 |
Spain | 23 | 1.5 | 19 | 1.0 | 31 | 1.4 |
Thailand | 11 | 0.7 | 8 | 0.4 | 18 | 0.8 |
United Kingdom | 7 | 0.5 | 13 | 0.7 | 16 | 0.7 |
Switzerland | 31 | 2.1 | 26 | 1.3 | 14 | 0.6 |
France | 14 | 0.9 | 21 | 1.1 | 13 | 0.6 |
Other | 226 | 15.0 | 312 | 15.7 | 276 | 12.9 |
Total | 1,511 | 100.0 | 1,988 | 100.0 | 2,169 | 100.0 |
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(a) Includes non-edible products (e.g. marine fats and oils, fishmeal, pearls and ornamental fish). Excludes sea products landed abroad directly from the high seas. |
Source: ABS data available on request, International Trade Special Data Service. |
The total value of Australian imports of fisheries products increased by 6% in 2000-01, to an estimated $1.2b (table 17.15), although Australia remained a net exporter of fisheries products. The major item of value imported in 2000-01 was canned fish at $188.6m. Other significant fisheries imports, in dollar terms, were fresh, chilled or frozen fillets ($185.5m), pearls ($182.9m) and prawns ($175.6m). The two countries bringing the most fisheries products into Australia were Thailand and New Zealand.
17.15 SOURCE OF IMPORTS OF FISHERIES PRODUCTS(a)
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| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 |
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Country | $m | % | $m | % | $m | % |
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Thailand | 237 | 26.9 | 241 | 22.0 | 244 | 21.2 |
New Zealand | 143 | 16.2 | 156 | 14.3 | 164 | 14.2 |
United States of America | 61 | 6.9 | 75 | 6.9 | 75 | 6.5 |
Vietnam | 32 | 3.6 | 32 | 2.9 | 44 | 3.8 |
Indonesia | 19 | 2.2 | 25 | 2.3 | 40 | 3.5 |
South Africa | 33 | 3.7 | 34 | 3.1 | 37 | 3.2 |
Malaysia | 25 | 2.8 | 32 | 2.9 | 36 | 3.1 |
India | 15 | 1.7 | 15 | 1.4 | 35 | 3.1 |
Canada | 27 | 3.1 | 24 | 2.2 | 26 | 2.3 |
Taiwan | 22 | 2.5 | 21 | 1.9 | 26 | 2.3 |
Peru | 10 | 1.1 | 16 | 1.5 | 26 | 2.3 |
Japan | 26 | 3.0 | 34 | 3.1 | 23 | 2.0 |
China | 13 | 1.5 | 14 | 1.3 | 22 | 1.9 |
Chile | 21 | 2.4 | 23 | 2.1 | 21 | 1.8 |
Singapore | 11 | 1.3 | 12 | 1.1 | 11 | 1.0 |
Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 11 | 1.3 | 13 | 1.2 | 9 | 0.8 |
Other | 175 | 19.8 | 325 | 29.8 | 311 | 27.0 |
Total | 880 | 100.0 | 1,091 | 100.0 | 1,152 | 100.0 |
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(a) Includes non-edible products (e.g. marine fats and oils, fishmeal, pearls and ornamental fish). |
Source: ABS data available on request, International Trade Special Data Service. |
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