International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade
Abstract
The Abalone Fishery in one of Victoria’s most valuable commercial fisheries and most of the catch is exported to international markets in Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China). Target species consist of blacklip abalone and greenly abalone (<1% of total catch). The fishery is quota managed, and the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) for the 2017/18 was about 694.5 tonnes, with a market value of $22 million. A number of declines in abalone abundance have occurred in recent years, due to the impacts of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG), fishing pressures and expanding urchin barrens. However, there has been little economic analysis done of the fishery. The aim of this study is to examine technical efficiency, capacity utilisation and impacts of the viral disease outbreaks int he Victorian Abalone fishery in Australia
