Quote:OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT



Environmental Assessment of the Victorian Developmental Jellyfish Fishery under the EPBC Act (Victoria)



Source & full text: [url="http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html"]http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html[/url]



Closing date for comments is Friday 10 November 2006.



The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) has received a submission – Statement of Management Arrangements for the Victorian Developmental Jellyfish Fishery (Catostylus mosaicus) from the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. The report has been prepared against the Australian Government Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries (the Guidelines). The submission will be used to assess the operation of the fishery for the purposes of Part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).



Consideration will be given to:



- declaring the Victorian Developmental Jellyfish Fishery, as managed consistent with the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995 , as an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation under section 303FN of the EPBC Act; and



- including on the list of exempt native specimens, specimens harvested in the Victorian Developmental Jellyfish Fishery in accordance with the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995.



In accordance with the provisions of sections 303FR and 303DC of the EPBC Act, you are invited to comment on this proposal.



Electronic copies of the Guidelines and the submission are available from the DEH website at [url="http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html"]http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html[/url]

Quote:DEVELOPMENTAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN

FISHERIES DIVISION - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

JELLYFISH - (Catostylus mosaicus) 2003 - 2005



1. Background

Dried jellyfish (sold mostly in dried discs of 30 – 40 cm in diameter) is a highly

regarded food item in many Asian countries, especially in Japan where it is

considered to be a delicacy. Traditionally, jellyfish are a food source comprising

low fat and high protein qualities, which are recognised for their health qualities.

The basis of quality assessment is on size, texture, colour and especially in Japan

the crunchiness of the dry salted product.



The Chinese and Japanese jellyfish markets are currently supplied with catch taken

in Thailand, Malaysia and China, but increasing demand has created opportunities

for Australian involvement. Market research indicates a shortage in both Chinese

and Japanese markets and importers could accept 1000 processed tonnes (10,000

wet tonnes) at USD $8-10 (AUS $13 - $16) per wholesale processed kilo (Grade B

product). The demand for jellyfish product is growing by 25% per annum.



The Rhizostome jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus is an Australian (Eastern and

Northern seaboards) native species and is often found in large numbers in

Victoria's bays and inlets. This species has been shown through marketing trials

carried out by David Glory Group Pty Ltd to be acceptable to the Asian market.

Estimates indicate that several thousand tonnes can be taken during some years

from Port Phillip, Western Port and Corner Inlet. The developmental fishery was

activated in 1999 following the release of the report titled "Feasibility Study for

the Development of a Commercial Jellyfish Fishery in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria,

MAFRI, (November 1997)". The report indicated that in Port Phillip Bay alone

there is a biomass of C. mosaicus ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 tonnes during the

summer and autumn months from February to June.



More recent MAFRI research suggests that the abundance is extremely variable. In 2001 the commercial biomass ranged from 7,500 wet tonnes to 17,000 wet tonnes. In 2001 this was down by 80%. Initial

indications are that the species was most abundant in Port Phillip Bay and Corner

Inlet. Stock abundance are likely to be connected to water temperature and

salinity.