Tasmanian fishing representatives and community leaders today publicly released a joint letter to the Minister for Primary Industries outlining concerns about the proposed development of a sardine fishery in Tasmanian waters. Read the letter here.

The signatories — including recreational fishers, current and former commercial fishers, tackle industry representatives, fishing clubs and community advocates — are calling for caution to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and marine ecosystems, and to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes that haunt’s Tasmania’s past.

The letter is signed by MP and commercial fisher Craig Garland, ABC fishing show host Plinio Taurean, and Sports Fishing Club of Tasmania president Corey James. The rest of the names are listed below.

Craig Garland says: “The over-riding message from the community is leave these sardines alone. When you take out one thing out of the food chain, it can leave big holes and contribute to a greater problem.”

“So if we take out all the sardines, while filling up the waters with sewerage from fish farms, we’ve got all the conditions here right now for the same kind of issues that South Australia are facing.” 

John Stanfield, RecFishTas, says: “Sardines are pivotal in the marine food web underpinning availability of game and table fish, supporting a growing population of marine mammals and sea birds and playing a role in algae control. Above all else the idea of taking sardines and turning them into fin fish aquaculture feed is abhorrent to a community that would simply rather sardines stay in the water than be fed to salmon.”

“There is grave concern in recreational fishing communities about the proposal for an industrial scale sardine fishery managed by Tasmania. Impacts to lifestyle choices are an ever increasing threat to the Tasmanian way of life and removal of sardines is a continuation of impacts that fail to consider issues outside of profit.”

Bec Howarth, Environment Tasmania, says: “The idea of scooping up Tasmania’s sardine for salmon feed is abhorrent. Sardines are a vital food source for penguins, dolphins and tuna. Tasmania has a history of environmental harm and community outrage with industrial-scale fisheries. We should learn from these past mistakes to create a more sustainable future for our marine environments.”

The group says the proposal, as currently outlined, risks getting ahead of both the science and the market it is intended to serve.

“Sardines are a keystone species in Tasmania’s marine ecosystem,” the letter says. “They underpin the food web that supports valued species such as tuna, kingfish and snapper, as well as seabirds and marine mammals.”

The letter urges the Government to ensure any sardine fishery is carefully scaled, transparently managed and supported by robust, repeated stock assessments before significant catch volumes are approved.

Signatories are also seeking clarity around end use, arguing that any fishery should be clearly defined and limited in scope.

“A concern is the role forage fish play in maintaining balance in an ecosystem increasingly dominated by algal blooms. Any move toward an industrial-scale sardine fishery risks destabilising this finely balanced system, with serious consequences for marine life and coastal communities.”

Media contact: Rebecca Howarth, 0493 395868

Signatories:
Plinio Taurean Digital creator & fishing show presenter
Craig Garland Tasmanian MP and professional fisher
Mason Paull Sponsored angler and recreational fisher
Corey James Sports Fishing Club of Tasmania
John Stanfield RecFishTas
Howard Jones Recreational fisher
Tim Cunningham Ex-professional fisher
Rebecca Howarth Environment Tasmania
Bob Drysdale Retired professional fisher
Tom Banks Rod & Range Sports, Glenorchy
Rodney Howard Tackle World and Outdoors, Burnie
Cristale McCormick Reel Keen Fishing Club, Port Sorell
Adam Martin Reel Keen Fishing Club, Port Sorell
Glen Saltmarsh Reel Keen Fishing Club, Port Sorell
Max Collins Break O’Day Sports Angling Club
Rob Cunningham Retired professional fisher
Will Mather Tassie Free Divers
Adam Hill Tackle trade rep
Adam Baker Polfishtas
Greg Brown Fly fisher