Abalone divers say 41 per cent catch reduction 'a kick in the face'

Abalone divers in New South Wales are calling a drastic 41% reduction in their catch limit a "kick in the face." For the upcoming 2026-27 season, the amount of black-lip abalone that can be commercially caught will be slashed from 88 tonnes to 52 tonnes. This marks the lowest catch limit since quotas were established in the late 1980s. The decision, made by the Total Allowable Fishing Committee, aims to protect the long-term future of abalone populations and the industry. Officials cite several factors for the decline, including decreased export demand from China, climate change, marine heatwaves, and the depletion of abalone stocks. The government is also in talks with the industry about a voluntary buyout program. However, John Smythe, secretary of the Abalone Association of NSW, criticized the catch reduction as a "disgusting state of affairs," emphasizing the industry's efforts toward sustainability. He also stated that the government's buyout offer is "way below the realistic value" of the shares, which were worth significantly more in 2018. Consultation on the buyout offer is open until mid-July.

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We are worried about the sustainability of the resource as well as the sustainability of our commercial fishing industry.