ABARES regularly reviews the economic performance of selected Commonwealth fisheries by surveying fishers and publishing a range of economic indicators. These indicators are used to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of management performance against the economic objective of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 — to maximise net economic returns (NER) to the Australian community from the management of Australian fisheries.
Economic performance is evaluated by assessing whether potential NER is being limited by prevailing management arrangements in the fishery. To do this, indicators are used to describe current economic trends in a fishery before assessing the drivers of those trends and the extent to which the fishery management arrangements are allowing NER to be maximised.
NER is a major indicator of a fishery's economic performance, showing the difference between the revenue earned each year and the economic costs incurred in a fishery. NER is estimated from surveys of financial performance of vessels operating in the fishery, adjusted to reflect the economic costs to the community of operating the fishery. These costs include fuel, crew, repairs, fishery management, depreciation, and the opportunity cost of capital and owner operator labour. Any remaining return is attributed to the fishery resource itself. Maximising NER is about maximising the return attributed to the resource. At zero NER fishers are generating a return on their capital and labour used in the fishery, but any returns attributed to the resource itself are lost.
Figure 1 Location of Commonwealth fisheries and sectors
Regularly surveyed fisheries are the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, the Northern Prawn Fishery and two sectors of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (the Commonwealth Trawl Sector and the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector). The surveyed fisheries represent 57% of the estimated $374 million total Commonwealth fishery production value in 2020–21.
Other minor fisheries, including the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery and the Bass Straight Central Zone Scallop Fishery, are surveyed less regularly.
Economic indicators dashboard
This data visualisation presents estimates of NER from surveyed fisheries to the Australian community, together with fishery-level productivity and terms-of-trade indexes. Historical data tables containing a range of other economic indicators, including financial performance for the average vessel, are available in the data section of the individual fisheries below this dashboard.
Download the dashboard dataset
Dashboard data tables – Australian fisheries economic indicators reports (XLSX 178 KB)
In 2020–21 the gross value of production (GVP) of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) was $35.6 million, accounting for 10% of total Commonwealth fishery production value.
ABARES conducted a survey of the ETBF in 2018. The results include survey-based estimates of financial performance of the average vessel and economic performance in 2015–16 and 2016–17, and non survey based estimates of economic performance in 2017–18 and 2018–19. Other indicators presented include total factor productivity (TFP), fishers’ terms of trade (TOT), quota latency and management costs.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current Ukraine-Russia conflict are not reflected in the results as the surveys pre-date these events. The impacts of these global shocks are being felt across industries, including fisheries. Future surveys will aim to capture the effects of these events on fishery economic performance.
Figure 2 Area of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery
Key findings and results
Net economic returns (NER) demonstrated a persistent long-term positive trend since 2002–03. TFP has also improved over the long term. Improved TOT since 2012–13, combined with improving TFP, has supported the rising trend in NER. The shift to individual transferable quotas, which allows fishers to minimise fishing costs and maximise revenue for a given level of catch, and the reduction in the size of the fleet, are consistent with improved TFP and NER.
Improved TOT in 2015–16 combined with TFP improvements had a multiplying effect on the level of NER earnt from the fishery and was a driver for the record NER achieved that year. Further improvements in TOT during the following year partially offset a reduction in TFP in 2016–17.
Overall the positive trend in NER and TFP, while key target fish stocks have been relatively stable over the reporting period (as reported in ABARES Fishery status reports 2021), indicates that resource rents from the fishery are being realised and not dissipated through over-capitalisation or liquidation of the fish stock. Striped marlin, which was classified as overfished in ABARES Fishery status reports 2021, has a large habitat range including the South West Pacific Ocean that comprises the ETBF. This species has made only a minor contribution to GVP over the period 2008–09 to 2018−19 and is not a key target species in the fishery.
Other fishery and vessel-level indicators
Gross value of production peaked in 2015–16
In 2015-16 the fishery’s GVP reached an 11-year high in real terms (2018−19 dollars) of $51.4 million because of increased catch and generally improved prices that year (Figure 3). GVP has since remained below the value achieved in 2015–16. The decline in GVP has been largely the result of falling catch volumes. GVP in the ETBF decreased by 16% in 2018–19 to $32.1 million and was largely the result of lower catch value of key targeted ETBF species—mainly yellowfin tuna and swordfish.
The value of Australian exports of albacore, bigeye tuna and yellowfin tuna (the three key species of tuna caught in the ETBF) declined by 29% in 2018–19 to $11.0 million. Export value declined across all three tuna species and reflected a combination of lower export prices and lower export volumes. Swordfish is typically the second most valuable species group landed in the ETBF after yellowfin tuna. In 2018–19 the value of swordfish exports declined by 42% to $3.9 million.
Figure 3 GVP for Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. GVP peaked in 2015–16 with yellowfin tuna accounting for increasing share of total GVP
Management costs have declined indicating increasing efficiency and effectiveness in fishery management expenditure
Total management costs in the ETBF generally declined between 2002–03 and 2016–17. Management costs as a share of GVP fell from 11% in 2005–06 to 4% in 2016–17. Such a decline in the proportion of management costs, linked to increasing TFP and NER, indicates increasing efficiency and effectiveness in management expenditure in the fishery.
Latency exists, indicating limited binding constraints on fishing activity
The extent to which latency (i.e. unused quota) exists in the fishery and the way this latency fluctuates may provide an indication of the economic incentives for operators to target particular species. The level of latency in the ETBF, measured by the proportion of total allowable commercial catch (TACC) not caught in the fishery, has varied across the key species since 2011.
- In the 2015 fishing season, very low latency levels were recorded for yellowfin tuna and striped marlin.
- In contrast, latency for albacore (a relatively low unit value species) remained high in the 2015 season—nearly two-thirds of the TACC remained uncaught that season.
- Between the 2015 and 2018 seasons, latency increased for yellowfin tuna and striped marlin, decreased for swordfish, and remained largely unchanged for albacore and bigeye.
Crew payments and freight and marketing expenses driving costs
The two largest costs in the ETBF are crew payments, and freight and marketing expenses. These costs tend to move in line with total seafood receipts—as crew may be paid as a proportion of receipts, and freight and marketing expenses are likely related to the volume of catch. In contrast, fuel (another major cost component) tends to be less directly related to seafood receipts and is instead influenced by fishing effort as well as fuel prices.
- Average vessel fuel costs increased by 21% in 2016–17, driven by higher fuel prices that year.
- The largest share of cash costs in 2015–16 and 2016–17 were crew costs (25% and 22%, respectively) and freight and marketing expenses (23% in both years).
- Profit at full equity for the average ETBF boat was $263,916 in 2015–16 and $259,982 in 2016−17.
Download
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (PDF 1.5 MB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (DOCX 2.5 MB)
Data
In 2020–21 the gross value of production (GVP) of the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) was $76.6 million, accounting for 21% of total Commonwealth fishery production value.
ABARES conducted a survey of the NPF in 2021. The results include survey-based estimates of financial performance of the average vessel and economic performance in 2018–19 and 2019–20, and non survey based estimates of economic performance in 2020–21. Other indicators presented include total factor productivity (TFP), fishers’ terms of trade (TOT) and management costs.
Figure 4 Area of the Northern Prawn Fishery, 2022
Key findings and results
Net economic returns (NER) demonstrated a positive trend from 2004–05, reaching a peak of $30.9 million in 2015–16. The growth in NER coincides with a period of structural adjustment in the fishery, with vessel numbers operating in the fishery being reduced by about half and TFP improving. More recently, NER has shown a persistent downward trend, falling from its 2015–16 peak to a non‑survey-based estimate of $6.2 million in 2020–21. The reduction in NER since 2015–16 has coincided with a period of falling TOT which has been driven by both increasing input prices and reducing output prices.
The growth in TFP since 2004–05 was driven by a reduction in inputs used in the fishery, which coincided with a period of growth in outputs. In the early part of this period, a reduction in the number of vessels operating is likely to have led to a more efficient fleet structure. In the latter part, improved conversion of inputs to outputs has played a greater role in improving TFP. Since 2015–16 the growth in TFP has been significant but not enough to offset the dampening effects of a declining fisher TOT on overall NER of the fishery.
Overall the positive trend in NER and TFP has been supported by stable fish stocks over the reporting period for the main target prawn species (as reported in ABARES Fishery status reports 2021), indicating that resource rents from the fishery have been realised and not dissipated through over-capitalisation or liquidation of the fish stock. While the status of red endeavour prawn is uncertain, this poses little risk to the economic performance of the fishery, as the species makes a minor contribution to overall GVP of the fishery, and the uncertain status is more a result of the exploratory nature of the 2019 stock assessment rather than emerging concerns over the stock status. The status of red endeavour prawns is important as the species is caught alongside tiger prawns, key target stocks for the fishery. An emerging watch point for the fishery is the declining trend in catch rates for tiger prawns since 2015 (Northern Prawn Fishery Data Summary 2021). The impact of this trend on overall levels of NER is unclear and requires future monitoring.
Economic conditions in 2022 remain uncertain. The disruption to markets caused by social distancing responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a changed operating environment for the fishery. Recovery is underway but higher input costs are likely, particularly for fuel and labour. A lift in global prawn prices flowing from tight supplies of prawns in key producing regions is likely to lead to higher prices for NPF outputs. The net effect of these factors on TOT is uncertain.
Other fishery and vessel-level indicators
Gross value of production peaks in 2015–16 then follows a declining trend
GVP fluctuated for the NPF in real terms (2020−21 dollars) during the decade to 2020–21. GVP peaked at $134.6 million in 2015–16 and then declined to a low of $76.6 million in 2020–21 (Figure 5). The variation is caused by fluctuations in catch levels of both banana and tiger prawns. The declining trend in GVP from 2015–16 to 2020–21 is attributed to lower catch levels of tiger prawns over this period. A significant portion of the banana prawn catch is sold to supermarkets in Australia, while tiger prawns are regularly exported. GVP declined by 28% in 2019–20 because of a large fall in banana prawn catch. Catch is highly variable for banana prawns as a result of variation in annual rainfall in the Northern Australian wet season, a contributing factor to annual catch levels of banana prawns. A further, but more modest decline in GVP in 2020–21 was driven by lower tiger prawn catch, largely a result of recent falling catch rates.
Figure 5 GVP for Northern Prawn Fishery. GVP varies with changes in composition of catch and has followed a declining trend since 2015–16
Management costs as share of GVP relatively low and stable
Total management costs for the NPF have been relatively stable in the decade to 2020–21, averaging $2.2 million in real terms (2020–21 dollars). Management costs as a percentage of GVP increased from 1.5% in 2015–16 to 2.9% by 2020–21. However, higher management costs as a percentage of GVP in this period are a result of lower GVP rather than a decrease in the efficiency of management operations.Fuel, crew, repair and maintenance costs dominate operating expenses
The two largest costs in the NPF are fuel and crew costs, followed closely by repairs and maintenance. Together, these cost categories accounted for 76% of total cash costs in 2019−20.
Crew costs tend to move in line with total seafood receipts—as crew may be paid a proportion of receipts. In contrast, fuel tends to be less directly related to seafood receipts and is instead influenced by fishing effort as well as fuel prices. Being a trawl fishery, repairs and maintenance costs can be significant, as trawling tends to increase wear and tear on main and auxiliary engines, as well as gear.
- Crew costs as a share of total cash costs remained steady over the period 2017–18 to 2019−20, averaging 26% of boat cash costs. This represents a reduced from 32% in 2015–16.
- Average vessel fuel costs fell by 11% in 2019–20, driven by lower fuel prices in that year. The NPF typically has higher fuel use compared to other fishing methods. Between 2017–18 and 2019–20 the contribution of fuel costs to total cash costs was steady at around 28%.
- The level of repairs and maintenance costs has increased over the period 2015–16 to 2019–20, by 10% to $357,000. Repairs and maintenance accounted for 22% of cash costs in 2021–22, compared to 19% in 2015–16.
- Profit at full equity for the average NPF boat was $621,486 in 2015–16 and $460,780 in 2019–20.
Downloads
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2021: Financial and economic performance of the Northern Prawn Fishery (PDF 770 KB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2021: Financial and economic performance of the Northern Prawn Fishery (DOCX 1.89 MB)
Data
In 2020–21 the gross value of production (GVP) of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (CTS) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) was $70.3 million, accounting for 19% of total Commonwealth fishery production value.
ABARES conducted a survey of the CTS in 2018. The results comprise survey-based estimates of financial performance of the average vessel and economic performance in 2015–16 and 2016–17, and non survey based estimates of economic performance in 2017–18 and 2018–19. Other indicators presented include total factor productivity (TFP), fishers’ terms of trade (TOT), quota latency and management costs.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current Ukraine-Russia conflict are not reflected in the results as the surveys pre-date these events. The impacts of these global shocks are being felt across industries, including fisheries. Future surveys will aim to capture the effects of these events on fishery economic performance.
Figure 6 Area of the Commonwealth Trawl sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery
Key findings and results
Net economic returns (NER) in the sector have fluctuated significantly from an estimated low of $4.6 million in 2002–03 before steadily rising to a high of $6.7 million in 2010–11. From 2010–11 to 2018–19 NER followed a generally declining trend, with non-survey estimates of NER at –$1.1 million in 2018–19.
TOT fluctuated over the same period with the rise and fall of input and output prices. Being a trawl sector, fuel is an important input and accounts for around 15% of cash costs so changes in the price of fuel can have a significant impact on TOT and NER in any given year. However, TOT have not displayed an obvious trend and have not been a key driver of NER over the period 2002–03 to 2018−19.
TFP is an important long-term driver of economic returns in a fishery, particularly when TOT are steady or declining. High growth in TFP between 2002–03 and 2010–11 drove increased NER in the sector over this period. Most of the growth in TFP occurred after the implementation of the Securing our Fishing Future structural adjustment package, which was announced and implemented from 2006. The vessel buyback of eligible concessions effectively removed effort from the sector, resulting in over half of the vessels operating in the sector in 2002–03 exiting by 2007–08. From 2007–08 to 2018–19 around 50 vessels have operated in the sector. Coinciding with this period of vessel reduction was a strong increase in TFP of the remaining fleet, likely reflecting a change in composition of fleet structure to more efficient vessels.
Since 2010–11 TFP has declined and has coincided with a reduction in NER. The reason for the falling TFP is not clear, but emerging issues around the non-recovery of some overfished stocks (with several species classified as overfished during the reporting period in ABARES Fishery status reports 2021) and the depletion of other stocks for reasons other than fishing may be contributing to declining TFP.
Other sector and vessel-level indicators
Falling gross value of production has stabilised from 2013–14
The CTS is an important source of fresh fish to wholesale markets in eastern Australia. Between 2002–03 and 2018–19, total catch volume in the CTS declined by 66% and the gross value of production (GVP) decreased by 49% in real terms (2020–21 dollars) (Figure 7).
The five key species of relatively high commercial value in the CTS—tiger flathead, blue grenadier, pink ling, orange roughy and school whiting—together accounted for 63% of the sector’s GVP in 2018–19. Structural change in the sector between 2002–03 and 2018−19 resulted in significant change in the composition of catch. In 2002–03 orange roughy and blue grenadier contributed to around half of the sector’s GVP. Since 2010¬–11 tiger flathead, a high unit value species targeted in the sector, has consistently made the largest contribution to overall GVP by a single species. Orange roughy is likely to make a stronger contribution to the sector in future, as the stock continues to rebuild under AFMA’s stock rebuilding strategy for orange roughy.
Figure 7 GVP of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery. Falling GVP since 2002–03 was driven by lower blue grenadier catch and higher tiger flathead catch
Management costs per vessel declining, stable relative to GVP
Total management costs in the CTS generally declined between 2008–09 and 2018–19, but remained relatively stable as a percentage of GVP over this period. There was one short-term spike in the trend observed around 2013–14 and 2014–15, when management costs as a share of GVP rose to as high as 8%, which was associated with a sharp decline in blue grenadier catch during that period leading to significantly lower GVP. Management costs as a share of GVP stabilised after this period, averaging 6% between 2015–16 and 2018–19.
Quota latency relatively low for high GVP species
Quota latency, a measure of how much of the available quota is not caught in a given year, is relatively low for target species in the CTS—including school whiting, flathead and pink ling for most years—when compared to other quota species caught in the sector. A high level of quota latency for blue grenadier between 2014–15 to 2017–18 was likely the result of a significant increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) of blue grenadier in the New Zealand Hoki fishery, attracting vessels that fish in both the CTS and the New Zealand Hoki fishery to focus more effort on the New Zealand fishery. The likely higher economic returns to blue grenadier in New Zealand than in the CTS in those years does not necessarily indicate poor management outcomes in the CTS.
Several other species in the CTS are subject to quota but exhibit a high degree of latency. It is unclear how currently underutilised species can contribute more to the economic performance of the sector. DAWR (2016) provides a range of explanations for why quota for species is not fully caught.
- In the 2018–19 fishing season, low latency levels were recorded for school whiting, flathead and pink ling—with latency across the three species averaging 28%.
- In contrast, latency for blue grenadier remained high—over 80% of the TAC remained uncaught in 2018–19.
- Average latency across most other quota species was high in 2018–19, most with latency levels above 50%.
Crew costs, fuel, freight, repairs and maintenance are significant cost items
The cost items that contribute most to overall cash costs in the CTS are crew, fuel, freight and marketing, and repairs and maintenance. These cost items together accounted for around 80% of total cash operating costs in 2016–17. Crew costs accounted for the largest share of cash costs in 2016–17, followed by fuel, freight and marketing, and repairs and maintenance.
Being a trawl sector, the CTS typically has higher fuel use compared to other fishing methods and so costs in the CTS are sensitive to changes in the price of diesel fuel. Higher fuel prices in 2021–22 are expected to increase the operating costs of vessels operating in the CTS and to impact negatively on economic returns from the sector.
- Crew costs as a share of total cash costs remained steady over the period 2015–16 to 2016–17, averaging 38% of boat cash costs in 2015–16 and 36% in 2016–17.
- Over the survey years 2015–16 and 2016–17, the contribution of fuel to total cash costs was steady at around 15% of total cash costs.
- Profit at full equity for the average CTS vessel was $184,047 in 2015–16 and $214,855 in 2016−17.
Downloads
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (PDF 748 KB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (DOCX 1.91 MB)
Data
In 2020–21 the gross value of production (GVP) of the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector (GHTS) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) was $28.8 million, accounting for 8% of total Commonwealth fishery production value.
ABARES conducted a survey of the GHTS in 2018. The results comprise survey-based estimates of financial performance of the average vessel and economic performance in 2015–16 and 2016–17, and non survey based estimates of economic performance in 2017–18 and 2018–19. Other indicators presented include total factor productivity (TFP), fishers’ terms of trade (TOT), quota latency and management costs.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current Ukraine-Russia conflict are not reflected in the results as the surveys pre-date these events. The impacts of these global shocks are being felt across industries, including fisheries. Future surveys will aim to capture the effects of these events on fishery economic performance.
Figure 8 Area of the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery
Key findings and results
Net economic returns (NER) were variable between 2002–03 and 2018–19. Strongly negative results were observed between 2009–10 and 2014–15, declining from $6.0 million in 2008−09 to a low of −$7.6 million in 2013–14. Since 2013–14 NER has increased and is estimated as positive in the most recent non-survey year.
TOT declined between 2002–03 and 2016–17, driven by input prices growing faster than output prices. Most of the decline in TOT occurred from 2009 to 2014, which coincided with falling NER over this period and indicates that TOT were a strong contributing factor to declining NER over this period. Rising TOT between 2013–14 and 2016–17 supported growth in NER.
TFP has increased since 2002–03, mainly driven by a reduction in input use. The number of active boats has reduced from 129 vessels in 2002–03 to 66 vessels in 2016–17.
In 2010 significant spatial closures were introduced in the GHTS that prohibited the use of gillnets in the fishing grounds off the South Australian coastline. These closures were put in place to protect and reduce interactions with protected marine mammals, including Australian sea lions and dolphins. These closures resulted in a structural shift of gillnetting activity toward Bass Strait. This structural shift of the fleet to alternate gillnet grounds likely contributed to the decline in NER after 2008–09. Improved NER since 2013−14 suggests that fishers have adapted to the changed operating environment during this period.
As reported in ABARES Fishery status reports 2021, the status of key target species in the GHTS indicates that current levels of NER are sustainable and are not being achieved by compromising the sustainability of fish stocks. Of the four shark species that together account for most of the sector’s GVP, only school shark has been classified as overfished over the reporting period. This species is no longer actively targeted in the fishery and is under a long-term rebuilding strategy.
Other sector and vessel-level indicators
Gross value of production on rising trend from 2013–14
The gross value of production (GVP) of the GHTS declined rapidly after the introduction of gillnet closures in 2010 in areas off the coast of South Australia. Real GVP (2018−19 dollars) increased from a low of $22.2 million in 2013–14, reaching $29.4 million by 2018–19. Gummy shark accounts for over half of the sector’s GVP and this share rose from 62% in 2013–14 to 67% in 2018–19 (Figure 9). School shark has in the past contributed to the GVP of the fishery, but depleted levels for this stock mean that it is no longer actively targeted.
Figure 9 GVP of the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery. GVP declined between 2004–05 and then followed a rising trend to 2018–19
Management costs per active boat stable in three years to 2018–19
Total management costs in the GHTS declined in real terms (2018–19 dollars) from $3.3 million in 2002−03 to $2.5 million in 2018–19. Management costs as a percentage of the sector’s GVP have been variable and shown no clear trend over the last 10 years (2009–10 to 2018–19), averaging 10% over this period.
Quota latency influenced by area closures and protection of school shark stocks
Gummy shark accounts for the largest proportion of GVP (around 70%) and means that changes in stock and total allowable catch for gummy shark can significantly affect economic performance in the GHTS. High levels of quota latency for gummy shark have declined in recent years as fishers adjusted to the 2010 gillnet fishing ground closures. School shark quota is set at minimal levels to allow some bycatch to occur when targeting gummy shark, and quota latency for school shark has been low. The two major targeted scalefish species—pink ling and blue eye trevalla—for the scalefish line component of the GHTS have exhibited varying levels of latency.
- Latency for gummy shark declined from 23% in the 2013 fishing season to 10% in in 2018.
- School shark quota is typically fully caught with latency falling frequently below 10%.
- Pink ling was fished close to quota (shared with the CTS) from 2004 to 2014, with some latency developing between 2015 and 2018 (21% for the 2018 season).
- Blue-eye trevalla often shows latency (25% in the 2018 fishing season).
Crew costs, fuel, repairs and maintenance are significant cost items
The cost items that contribute most to overall cash costs in the GHAT are crew, fuel, and repairs and maintenance. These items together accounted for around 62% of total cash operating costs in 2016−17. Crew costs accounted for the largest share of cash costs in 2016–17, followed by repairs and maintenance and fuel.
Higher fuel prices in 2021–22 are expected to increase the operating costs of vessels operating in the GHAT and to impact negatively on economic returns from the sector.
- Crew costs as a share of total cash costs increased from 2015–16 to 2016–17, averaging 36% of boat cash costs in 2015–16 and 41% in 2016–17.
- Over the survey years 2015–16 and 2016–17, the contribution of fuel to total cash costs was steady at 10% of total cash costs.
- Profit at full equity for the average GHTS vessel was $229,366 in 2015–16 and $148,803 in 2016−17.
Downloads
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (PDF 589 KB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2018: Financial and economic performance of the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (DOCX 1.77 MB)
Data
This report presents results of the 2013 Torres Strait Prawn Fishery survey. The results comprise survey-based estimates of financial performance of the average vessel and economic performance in 2010–11 and 2011–12, and non survey-based estimates of economic performance in 2012–13. Other indicators presented in the report include total factor productivity, fishers’ terms of trade and management costs.
Key findings and results
- Net economic returns (NER) remained negative at −$2.1 million in 2010−11 and decreased to −$2.7 million in 2011−12.
- Non-survey-based projections indicate that NER is likely to have been −$2.3 million in 2012−13.
- Negative NER in the fishery is mainly attributed to the high costs associated with operating in a remote fishery.
Vessel-level indicators
- Profit at full equity for the average vessel in the fishery was −$89,491 in 2010–11 and −$87,366 in 2011–12. The change was primarily attributed to higher cash receipts leading to higher vessel cash income.
Downloads
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2013 - Torres Strait Prawn Fishery (PDF 1.68 MB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators report 2013 - Torres Strait Prawn Fishery (DOCX 983 KB)
Data
Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery
Northern Prawn Fishery
Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery
The document below outlines concepts and methodologies used in the Australian fisheries economic indicators reports. These include the general use of economic indicators in fisheries management; definitions of key financial performance variables and net economic returns (NER); survey methods; and ABARES methodologies for survey-based and non survey based estimation of NER, and productivity and terms of trade analysis.
Download
Australian fisheries economic indicators reports: Concepts and methodology (PDF 591 KB)
Australian fisheries economic indicators reports: Concepts and methodology (DOCX 1.65 MB)