Sardine (Pilchard) Fishery

Historically, the principal species harvested in the fishery has been Sardinops sagax (sardines, previously known as pilchards in South Australia), comprising more than 98% of the catch. As such, research and management of the fishery is primarily directed at this species.

These fish are caught over 12 months of the year using large purse seine nets (1000 m in length). Commercial fishing activities are predominately undertaken at night, although some fish are captured in daylight. Schools of sardines are generally located by sonar, and then the net is deployed around the school with the aid of a net dinghy. The net is then pursed and drawn into a small area adjacent to the vessel. The fish are removed from the net with a pump, and placed in the hold of the boat.

Prior to 1993 the fishery was seasonal, with the majority of the catch taken during the summer months by southern bluefin tuna fishers for live bait. Interest in establishing a commercial fishery for sardines began in the mid-1980s, with product being supplied to the recreational bait and pet food markets.

Following the development of tuna farming in the Port Lincoln region, there has been an increased demand for sardines for use as tuna feed. This situation resulted in an increased emphasis on research in the fishery that has subsequently enabled higher levels of exploitation to be achieved.

The area of jurisdiction of the fishery includes all waters adjacent to the State of South Australia out to the edge of the 200 nautical mile Australian Fishing Zone, with the exception of closed areas. The legislative instrument defining the area of jurisdiction for the Sardine Fishery is the 1996 Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) arrangements for scalefish species between South Australian and Australian Governments.

The fishery is managed primarily by an ITQ management regime, with complementary input controls to restrict interactions with non-target species.  The TACC is set annually for the fishery and is divided equally amongst the licence holders. The individual allocations of quota are endorsed on licences at the beginning of the calendar year and are valid for that year.

PIRSA monitors the take of quota through the CDR form that enables the compliance group to track, monitor and verify all landings of sardines. Licence holders are required to complete and forward the CDR form to PIRSA Fisheries. Each licence holder is also required to complete a research logbook, with one form per net set. Information collected is used for research purposes by SARDI.The accurate completion and submission of these forms is required in legislated timeframes to maintain the integrity of management arrangements in the fishery and research upon which management is based.