siv'S focus
SIV works to build and inform an ecologically sustainable and thriving industry valued by Victorian communities. SIV works on principles of collaboration, equity and access, so that Victorian seafood can be enjoyed by everyone. Central to our industry is striving for the highest sustainability standards and using the best available science to manage our natural resources.
SIV provides the communication link between the seafood industry and the State and Federal Governments along with other government agencies and industry bodies. The major role of SIV is to represent the interests of the Victorian seafood industry through a united, recognised and respected voice.
SIV provides the communication link between the seafood industry and the State and Federal Governments along with other government agencies and industry bodies. The major role of SIV is to represent the interests of the Victorian seafood industry through a united, recognised and respected voice.
COLLABORATION
Working together for sustainability, equity and fairness
The marine environment from which our industry harvests seafood is a multi-user environment. SIV strongly believes that all relevant marine stakeholders should be involved in making decisions for the use of Victoria’s shared marine spaces, and shared access to resources that belong to the Victorian public. This requires fair, equitable and transparent consultation, negotiation and decision-making processes.
SIV works closely with State and Federal Government sectors, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, environmental and community groups, scientists and academics, other marine users and Victorian communities, in efforts to promote the interests of the local seafood industry.
Our relationships underpin our work and are crucial to meeting our vision for a sustainable and thriving Victorian seafood industry. Through working together, we can ensure Victorian local seafood stays on the menu while also supporting a healthy marine environment and the coastal communities who depend on marine resources.
The marine environment from which our industry harvests seafood is a multi-user environment. SIV strongly believes that all relevant marine stakeholders should be involved in making decisions for the use of Victoria’s shared marine spaces, and shared access to resources that belong to the Victorian public. This requires fair, equitable and transparent consultation, negotiation and decision-making processes.
SIV works closely with State and Federal Government sectors, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, environmental and community groups, scientists and academics, other marine users and Victorian communities, in efforts to promote the interests of the local seafood industry.
Our relationships underpin our work and are crucial to meeting our vision for a sustainable and thriving Victorian seafood industry. Through working together, we can ensure Victorian local seafood stays on the menu while also supporting a healthy marine environment and the coastal communities who depend on marine resources.
victorian seafood for everyone
Securing access for sustainable seafood harvests
Approximately 85% of Australians do not catch their own fish. Instead they rely on the professional sector to supply a wide range of seafood products throughout the year. Victorian professional fisheries and aquaculture businesses provide consumers with a wonderful source of fresh, local and sustainable product.
SIV acts to safeguard and secure access to marine resources for the commercial seafood industry and for seafood consumers. Insecurity of fishing and leasing access rights can have devastating effects on hard-working families and businesses who depend on the seafood industry for their livelihoods, whilst jeopardising future availability of this nutritious, low carbon footprint protein to the public.
Approximately 85% of Australians do not catch their own fish. Instead they rely on the professional sector to supply a wide range of seafood products throughout the year. Victorian professional fisheries and aquaculture businesses provide consumers with a wonderful source of fresh, local and sustainable product.
SIV acts to safeguard and secure access to marine resources for the commercial seafood industry and for seafood consumers. Insecurity of fishing and leasing access rights can have devastating effects on hard-working families and businesses who depend on the seafood industry for their livelihoods, whilst jeopardising future availability of this nutritious, low carbon footprint protein to the public.
Sustainability and the environment
A commitment to ecological sustainability
The Victorian seafood industry is committed to ecological sustainability, and sharing of marine resources among stakeholders. This not only protects the ecosystems that fishers and aquaculture farmers rely on, but also protects the long term livelihoods of those dedicating themselves to a career in the seafood industry.
SIV believes that the best way to ensure a sustainable future for the marine environment, fisheries resources and Victoria's seafood industry is to use the best available science and collaborative processes to manage fisheries. Evidence-based decisions must be made to ensure transparency and acceptability of resource management.
Victorian professional fisheries are legislated under the Fisheries Act 1995 (Vic). Professional fisheries are managed through strict input and output controls. Input controls include limits on the number of fishing access licences, gear restrictions, seasonal closures and limits on time fishing. Output controls restrict the volume that can be harvested from a particular fishery and these measures include quota systems, total allowable catch targets, and bycatch limits.
There are annual fisheries management meetings between SIV, industry members, the Victorian Fisheries Authority managers, fisheries scientists and other stakeholders to discuss the status of individual fisheries and assess any management changes that are needed, such as changes to the amount of fish that can be caught each year. Independent scientific analysis and modelling is used to determine limits. Harvest strategies form an essential part of sustainable fisheries management and are explicitly set out the objectives, performance indicators, reference levels and harvest control rules.
Over and beyond this, Victorian professional fishers have proactively adopted voluntary measures as an additional sustainability safeguard and to reduce conflict with other marine users. These include; voluntary codes of practice, environmental management systems (a systematic approach to recognising, assessing and mitigating environmental risks facing the fishery) and self imposed closures or restrictions.
The Victorian seafood industry is committed to ecological sustainability, and sharing of marine resources among stakeholders. This not only protects the ecosystems that fishers and aquaculture farmers rely on, but also protects the long term livelihoods of those dedicating themselves to a career in the seafood industry.
SIV believes that the best way to ensure a sustainable future for the marine environment, fisheries resources and Victoria's seafood industry is to use the best available science and collaborative processes to manage fisheries. Evidence-based decisions must be made to ensure transparency and acceptability of resource management.
Victorian professional fisheries are legislated under the Fisheries Act 1995 (Vic). Professional fisheries are managed through strict input and output controls. Input controls include limits on the number of fishing access licences, gear restrictions, seasonal closures and limits on time fishing. Output controls restrict the volume that can be harvested from a particular fishery and these measures include quota systems, total allowable catch targets, and bycatch limits.
There are annual fisheries management meetings between SIV, industry members, the Victorian Fisheries Authority managers, fisheries scientists and other stakeholders to discuss the status of individual fisheries and assess any management changes that are needed, such as changes to the amount of fish that can be caught each year. Independent scientific analysis and modelling is used to determine limits. Harvest strategies form an essential part of sustainable fisheries management and are explicitly set out the objectives, performance indicators, reference levels and harvest control rules.
Over and beyond this, Victorian professional fishers have proactively adopted voluntary measures as an additional sustainability safeguard and to reduce conflict with other marine users. These include; voluntary codes of practice, environmental management systems (a systematic approach to recognising, assessing and mitigating environmental risks facing the fishery) and self imposed closures or restrictions.
The Status of Australian Fish Stocks brings together available biological, catch and effort information to determine the status of Australia’s key wild catch fish stocks against a nationally agreed reporting framework.
SAFS provides a scientifically robust and simple tool to inform fishers, seafood consumers, managers, policy makers and the broader community about the status of the key wild-caught fish stocks around Australia. Many of the main target fish species are assessed in the report, and are broken down to the specific fishery in each state. Over one hundred leading Australian fisheries researchers produced the species chapters in 2018 and a further forty scientists anonymously reviewed these.
Of the Australian catch reported in the Status of Australian fish stocks reports 2018, 90.5 per cent is from sustainable stocks, 3.1 per cent is from transitional–depleting stocks, 4.6 per cent is from transitional–recovering stocks, 0.8 per cent is from overfished stocks, 1 per cent is from undefined stocks and 0.00 per cent is from the stocks classed as negligible.
This is extraordinary when compared on the global stage, and a testament to the environmental stewardship of the Australian seafood industry and best practice management of our fisheries. Acknowledging that Australia has not always had an enviable fisheries record, in the past decade decisive action has been taken to address overfishing and inappropriate fishing practices, which has resulted in the significant recovery of depleted fish stocks.
Find out how your favourite fish species is faring here - www.fish.gov.au
“Australians have excellent reasons to have faith in their fisheries management and to consume Australian seafood with confidence and enthusiasm” International fisheries scientist Professor Ray Hilborn, University of Washington
SAFS provides a scientifically robust and simple tool to inform fishers, seafood consumers, managers, policy makers and the broader community about the status of the key wild-caught fish stocks around Australia. Many of the main target fish species are assessed in the report, and are broken down to the specific fishery in each state. Over one hundred leading Australian fisheries researchers produced the species chapters in 2018 and a further forty scientists anonymously reviewed these.
Of the Australian catch reported in the Status of Australian fish stocks reports 2018, 90.5 per cent is from sustainable stocks, 3.1 per cent is from transitional–depleting stocks, 4.6 per cent is from transitional–recovering stocks, 0.8 per cent is from overfished stocks, 1 per cent is from undefined stocks and 0.00 per cent is from the stocks classed as negligible.
This is extraordinary when compared on the global stage, and a testament to the environmental stewardship of the Australian seafood industry and best practice management of our fisheries. Acknowledging that Australia has not always had an enviable fisheries record, in the past decade decisive action has been taken to address overfishing and inappropriate fishing practices, which has resulted in the significant recovery of depleted fish stocks.
Find out how your favourite fish species is faring here - www.fish.gov.au
“Australians have excellent reasons to have faith in their fisheries management and to consume Australian seafood with confidence and enthusiasm” International fisheries scientist Professor Ray Hilborn, University of Washington
engaging in science
Victoria's seafood industry is highly engaged in fisheries science. Fishers provide essential data every time they go to sea; recording their catch, how much time they spend at sea, where they fish, and the type/amount of gear used. These data are used to monitor the status of fish stocks and as indicators for marine ecosystem health.
Fishers are also engaged as partners and provide essential information and data for Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) projects. These projects are on a range of topics, including:
Fishers are also engaged as partners and provide essential information and data for Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) projects. These projects are on a range of topics, including:
- improving understanding of the biology of species and interactions within marine ecosystems
- improving ecological management and sustainability of fisheries
- disease in marine species and biosecurity threats
- habitat conservation and regeneration
- innovation and development of new technologies
- bycatch reduction strategies
- impacts of climate change