3 April 2006 - The Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, today announced that further advice
would be sought in relation to a nomination to
list the commercial fish, Orange Roughy as a threatened
species.
The Orange Roughy was nominated for listing as
a threatened species under the Australian Government’s
environment legislation - the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
“The nomination to list Orange Roughy underwent
an assessment by the Australian Government’s independent
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC).
The Committee has now provided advice to me,”
Senator Campbell said.
“The advice from the Committee indicates that
there are serious concerns regarding the long-term
conservation of the Orange Roughy.
The Orange Roughy is an important part of the
deep water fisheries of the coast of southern
Australia. As such, it has been under the active
management of the Australian Fisheries Management
Authority for a number of years.
“Given that the species forms part of an actively
managed fishery it is beholden on me to ensure
that I have all the facts relevant to the species
survival before me when I make my decision,” Senator
Campbell said.
“Accordingly, I have asked for additional analysis
in the context of potential biological and ecological
implications for the species and how these relate
to risk of extinction and potential recovery.
“I will make my decision once I have received
and considered carefully the additional advice.
