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Resource Sharing Arrangements and the Longtail Tuna Decision
Next year, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will develop resource sharing arrangements in central northern waters, adjacent to the Northern Territory (NT), for tuna and tuna-like species. These arrangements will complement arrangements implemented in the western sector of the Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery and in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. When these are complete, resource sharing arrangements will be in place for Commonwealth tuna fisheries around the entire northern Australian coast.
Until resource sharing arrangements are developed for central northern waters adjacent to the NT, as an interim measure, longtail tuna will become a recreational-only species (Joint Statement by former Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation and Member for Solomon - David Tollner on 29 September 2004). This will occur throughout its entire range using appropriate commercial bycatch arrangements, which will be set at levels that will not encourage fish discarding.
Note: Media releases and speeches by former Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries can be located at: Pandora - Australia's Web Archive
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) will work with the Department to implement these arrangements as soon as possible. Stakeholders will be informed of details regarding implementation as soon as they are available.