Australias tiger prawn season gets underway

The 2017 tiger prawn season in Australia has kicked off with the country’s government praising the sustainability and responsible management of the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF), where commercial fishers predominantly target these shrimp. 

“Industry, led by the Northern Prawn Fishery Pty Ltd., working together with scientists and AFMA, has been a champion for improving bycatch management over the last two decades,” said James Findlay, CEO of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). “Furthermore, the NPF is also undergoing recertification for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which is testament to the commitment of industry to help maintain sustainability in this fishery."

The NPF is located off Australia’s northern coast from Cape York in Queensland to Cape Londonderry in Western Australia. Its major landing ports are Cairns, Darwin, and Karumba.

Caught with bottom trawls between 1 August and the end of November – depending on catch rates, tiger prawns (Penaeus esculentus and Penaeus semisulcatus) are large species, usually 11 to 20 centimeters in length and 35 to 50 grams, and are a popular choice with top hotels and restaurants.

In 2015, Australia’s tiger prawn catch totaled 3,168 metric tons (MT). In the same year, fishermen landed 3,931 MT of banana prawns (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis and Fenneropenaeus indicus) and 554 MT of endeavor prawns (Metapenaeus endeavouri and Metapenaeus ensis). The combined value of these catches was AUD 106.8 million (USD 85.1 million, EUR 71.7 million).