There are at least two separate stocks of Blue Grenadier ( Macruronus novaezelandiae ) in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (Wilson et al. 2010). Comparative analysis of otolith chemistry and shape indicates two separate biological stocks: one in the region of the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector (Commonwealth) and the other in the region of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector. There is some evidence that Blue Grenadier from the western Tasmanian and eastern Bass Strait regions of the Commonwealth Trawl Sector may constitute separate substocks, but these are currently assessed and managed as a single Commonwealth Trawl Sector stock (Penneya and Moore 2014).

Catches from the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector are currently small and are from a different stock than exists off western Victoria and Tasmania, where the bulk of the catch is taken. Blue grenadier from western and eastern Bass Strait regions are unlikely to be part of one highly mixed south eastern Australian stock (Daume et al. 2015).

Blue Grenadier in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector and the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector (Commonwealth) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (Commonwealth) is managed under a multiyear total allowable catch (TAC). The Commonwealth Trawl Sector accounts for the majority of the catch from these two sectors. Given the small catch from the Gillnet Hook and Trap Sector, the biological stock is referred to in this report as the Commonwealth Trawl Sector biological stock (Penneya and Moore 2014).

This fishery was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council system in August 2015. Click here to link to the MSC fishery page and to learn more about the MSC fishery.