As per the information Spencer Gulf prawn fishery has done everything right to undergo the world’s most rigorous environmental assessment for fisheries in the hope of becoming the first MSC certified prawn fishery in Australia. After this the consumer would be able to buy Australian prawns bearing the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) logo – an environmentally friendly alternative to all other prawns available on the market.
Alfred Schumm, WWF’s Global Smart Fishing Initiative Leader, said that the Spencer Gulf prawn fishery is already a real industry leader when it comes to sustainability, not just in Australia but globally. It is true that globally overfishing and poor regulation lead to the collapse of fish stocks and the industries that rely on them.
Schumm informed that the fishermen working in the Spencer Gulf know that to have a viable industry in the future, they need to be environmentally sustainable now. The Spencer Gulf prawn fishing industry has already taken difficult but voluntary steps to improve its environmental credentials. Measures such as at- sea research into stock levels; compliance to make sure skippers are adhering to best practice; co-management between industry, researchers and regulators and voluntary area closures have enabled this fishery to sustain its operations over several decades.
According to Schumm the industry’s proactive stance on sustainability has meant catch levels have remained stable. He added that it is highly likely there will be a viable industry for decades to come, one which will continue to provide jobs and a healthy ecosystem. The Spencer Gulf fishery has the world’s largest known population of western king prawns and is worth over AUD $40 million annually to local fishermen.
