Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne Region of Victoria, 2015

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences About my region 15.15 April 2015 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Ownership of intellectual property rights Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights, if any) in this publication is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia (referred to as the Commonwealth). Creative Commons licence All material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence, save for content supplied by third parties, logos and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided you attribute the work. A summary of the licence terms is available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en. The full licence terms are available from creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode. Cataloguing data ABARES 2015, Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015, About my region 15.15, Canberra, April. CC BY 3.0.

ISBN 978-1-74323-075-6 ABARES project 43009

Internet Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria 2015 is available at agriculture.gov.au/abares. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933 Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001 Email [email protected] Web agriculture.gov.au/abares Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be sent to [email protected]. The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. Acknowledgements ABARES relies on the voluntary cooperation of farmers participating in the annual Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, Australian Dairy Industry Survey, and Australian Vegetable Growing Farms Survey to provide data used in the preparation of this report. Without their help, these surveys would not be possible. ABARES farm survey staff collected most of the information presented in this report through on-farm interviews with farmers. This regional profile was updated by Therese Thompson, Peter Martin, Haydn Valle, Timothy Connolly, Lucy Randall and Kasia Mazur. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Contents

iii Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

1) Regional overview

The Greater Melbourne region comprises 29 local government areas and parts of five others. It includes Melbourne and the major centres of Bacchus Marsh, Cockatoo, Frankston, Healesville, Macedon, Sandringham and Werribee. The region covers a total area of around 10 000 square kilometres or 4 per cent of Victoria’s total area and is home to approximately 4 000 000 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Greater Melbourne region occupies 4310 square kilometres, or 43 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 1930 square kilometres, or 19 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is grazing modified pasture, which occupies 3230 square kilometres or 32 per cent of the Greater Melbourne region.

Map 1 Broad agricultural land use of the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014) Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Map 2 Agricultural industries of the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria

Source: Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014 (ABARES, 2014) Employment

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2014 Labour Force Survey indicate that around 2.22 million people were employed in the Greater Melbourne region. The Greater Melbourne region accounts for 77 per cent of total employment in Victoria and 14 per cent of all people employed in the Victoria agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Health care and social assistance was the largest employment sector with 265 200 people followed by with retail trade 243 000 people (Figure 1). Other important employment sectors in the region were manufacturing (220 700 people), professional scientific and technical services (217 500 people) construction (180 400 people) and education and training (177 300 people). The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employed 12 400 people, representing less than 1 per cent of the region’s workforce.

5 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Figure 1 Employment profile, Greater Melbourne region, November 2014

Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Manufacturing Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Construction Education and Training Accommodation and Food Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing Public Administration and Safety Financial and Insurance Services Wholesale Trade Other Services Administrative and Support Services Information Media and Telecommunications Arts and Recreation Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Mining

Employed total ('000 ) - 100 200 300

Note: Annual average of the preceding 4 quarters. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 6291.0, Labour Force, Australia Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

2) Agriculture sector

Value of agricultural production

In 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Greater Melbourne region was $1.3 billion, which was 11 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Victoria ($11.6 billion). This is the most recent year for which ABS data are available.

The Greater Melbourne region has a diverse agricultural sector. The most important commodity in the Greater Melbourne region based on the gross value of agricultural production was vegetables (Figure 2). In 2012–13, vegetables contributed 32 per cent ($400 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region. The main vegetable crops were mushrooms ($61 million), lettuce ($50 million) and potatoes ($26 million). Poultry accounted for 21 per cent ($262 million) and nurseries, cut flowers and turf contributed 19 per cent ($240 million). Fruit and nuts (excluding grapes) contributed 12 per cent ($146 million), with the main crops being strawberries ($86 million), apples ($40 million) and cherries ($6 million).

In 2012–13, the Greater Melbourne region accounted for around 98 per cent of the total value of Victorian strawberries, 87 per cent of the total value of lettuce, and 76 per cent of the total value of mushrooms.

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Greater Melbourne region, 2012–13

Vegetables

Poultry

Nurseries, cut flowers and turf

Fruit and nuts (excluding grapes)

Cattle and calves

Wine grapes

$m 100 200 300 400 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia

Number and type of farms

ABS data indicate that in 2012–13 there were 3031 farms in the Greater Melbourne region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1). The region contains 10 per cent of all farm businesses in Victoria.

Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2012–13 Industry Classification Greater Melbourne region Victoria no. % no. % Beef Cattle 915 30 8 219 27 Fruit and nuts 335 11 2 275 7 Vegetable 304 10 691 2 Nurseries, Cut Flowers and Turf 221 7 330 1 Other livestock 197 7 918 3 Poultry 162 5 294 1 Dairy 96 3 4 733 15 Sheep 50 2 3 774 12 Mixed livestock 36 1 1 395 5 Mixed grains and livestock 22 1 2 224 7 Grain growing 21 1 2 388 8 Other 671 22 3 642 12 Total Agriculture 3 031 100 30 884 100 Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations greater than $5000. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farms are classified in Table 1 according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Beef cattle farms (915 farms) were the most common, accounting for 30 per cent of all farms in the Greater Melbourne region, and 11 per cent of all beef cattle farms in Victoria.

There is a large percentage of small farms in the region in terms of their value of agricultural output. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 53 per cent of farms in the Greater Melbourne region had an EVAO of less than $50 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 3 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2012–13. In comparison, 19 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 85 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Greater Melbourne, 2012–13 70

% < $50k $50k to $150k $150k to $350k $350k to $500k $500k to $1 m > $1 m Share of farms Share of value of agricultural operations Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Farm financial performance—Victoria

Each year, ABARES interviews Australian broadacre, dairy and vegetable producers as part of its annual survey program. Broadacre industries covered in this survey include the grains, grains– livestock, sheep, beef and sheep–beef industries. The information collected is a basis for analysing the current financial position of farms in these industries and expected changes in the short term. This paper uses data from the ABARES Australian agriculture and grazing industries survey (AAGIS), Australian dairy industry survey (ADIS), and Australian vegetable growing industry survey to report estimates of financial performance indicators (Box 1) for broadacre, dairy and vegetable farms in Victoria.

Box 1 Definitions

Major financial performance indicators  Total cash receipts: total revenues received by the business during the financial year.  Total cash costs: payments made by the business for materials and services and for permanent and casual hired labour (excluding owner manager, partner and family labour).  Farm cash income: total cash receipts – total cash costs  Farm business profit: farm cash income + changes in trading stocks – depreciation – imputed labour costs  Profit at full equity: return produced by all the resources used in the business, farm business profit + rent + interest + finance lease payments – depreciation on leased items  Rate of return: return to all capital used, profit at full equity * 100 / total opening capital  Equity ratio: Farm capital minus farm debt expressed as a percentage of farm capital Industry types  Grains: farms mainly engaged in producing broadacre crops such as wheat, coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, and including farms running sheep and/or beef cattle in conjunction with substantial broadacre crop activity.  Sheep: farms mainly engaged in running sheep.  Beef: farms mainly engaged in running beef cattle.  Dairy: farms mainly engaged in milk production.  Vegetable: farms mainly engaged in growing vegetables.

Performance of broadacre farms—Victoria In 2014–15, cropping receipts are projected to decline for Victorian broadacre farms as a result of reduced winter grain, oilseeds and pulse production resulting from lower yields. Increased receipts from beef, sheep and lambs, due mainly to higher prices, are projected to only partially offset reduced crop receipts. Average farm cash income of broadacre farms is projected to be similar to that recorded in 2013–14 in Southern and Eastern Victoria (Table 3), with reductions in crop receipts offset by increased beef receipts. However, reduced winter crop production is projected to sharply reduce average farm cash income in the Wimmera and Mallee regions. Farm cash income in the Central North is projected to increase slightly as a result of small increases in sheep, lamb, beef and crop receipts.

On average, farm cash income of broadacre farms in Victoria is projected to decline to $68 000 a farm in 2014–15, around 13 per cent below the 10-year average to 2013–14 (Table 2 and Figure 4).

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm

160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 2014–15 $’000

Australia Victoria p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Table 2 Financial performance, Victoria broadacre industries, 2012–13 to 2014–15, average per farm RS 2014– Performance indicator units 2012–13 2013–14p E 15y Total cash receipts $ 285 940 312 600 (5) 271 000 Total cash costs $ 198 610 213 800 (5) 202 000 Farm cash income $ 87 340 98 900 (8) 68 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 26 20 (20) 24 Farm business profit $ 9 380 11 700 (74) –22 000 Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 34 880 37 800 (25) 3 000 Farm capital at 30 June a $ 2 911 950 2 927 800 (4) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 260 780 263 400 (9) 253 000 Equity ratio bd % 91 91 (1) na Rate of return excluding capital appreciation e % 1.2 1.3 (23) 0.1 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 32 690 33 700 (14) na a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Farm capital minus farm debt. d Equity expressed as a percentage of farm capital. e Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p Preliminary estimates. y Provisional estimates. na Not Available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Table 3 Farm cash income of Victoria broadacre farms, by region, 2013–14 to 2014–15, average per farm

Region units 2013–14p RSE 2014–15y 221: VIC Mallee $ 188 700 (22) 116 000 222: VIC Wimmera $ 241 700 (13) 50 000 223: VIC Central North $ 84 200 (13) 95 000 231: VIC Southern and Eastern Victoria $ 53 800 (18) 55 000 p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Map 3 ABARES Australian broadacre zones and regions

Note: Each region is identified by a unique code of three digits. The first digit identifies the state or territory, the second digit identifies the zone and the third digit identifies the region.

Source: ABARES

Performance of grains industry farms—Victoria In 2013–14, average crop receipts for Victorian grains farms were similar to those recorded in 2012–13, as higher crop prices offset small reductions in crop production resulting from drier conditions. Receipts from the sale of sheep, lambs and beef cattle were higher for mixed enterprise farms as sheep and lamb prices increased and turnoff also increased. Overall, farm cash income increased for Victorian grains industry farms to average $204 200 a farm in 2013– 14 (Figure 5).

Victorian cropping receipts are projected to decline in 2014–15 as a result of reduced winter grain, oilseeds and pulse production resulting from lower yields. A projected decrease in farm cash costs as a result of reduced expenditure on fuel, fertiliser and interest payments, combined with lower expenditure on livestock purchases on mixed enterprise farms, is expected to only partially offset the decline in farm cash receipts. As a result, average farm cash income for Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Victorian grains industry farms is projected to decrease to $106 000 a farm in 2014–15, around 14 per cent below the industry average for the previous 10 years (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Performance of sheep industry farms—Victoria Farm cash incomes were relatively high for Victorian sheep industry farms in the period 2009– 10 to 2011–12 (Figure 6). However, in 2012–13, a reduction in average prices received for lambs, adult sheep and wool resulted in farm cash income for Victorian sheep farms falling.

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, sheep industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

In 2013–14, adult sheep and lamb prices increased and together with increased turn-off resulted in higher farm cash receipts for Victorian sheep industry farms. Despite higher receipts, an

13 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES increase in average cash costs as a result of higher expenditure on sheep purchases, fodder, and interest payments, resulted in average farm cash income for sheep industry farms remaining similar in 2013–14 to that recorded in 2012–13 at an average of $49 500 a farm.

In 2014–15, further increases in adult sheep and lamb prices are projected to result in higher farm cash receipts. Average farm cash income for sheep industry farms is projected to increase to $78 000 a farm, around 27 per cent above the industry average of $62 000 for the ten-years to 2013–14.

Performance of beef industry farms—Victoria A much smaller average herd size for Victorian beef industry farms, compared with the Australian average, results in average farm cash income for Victorian beef industry farms typically being well below the national average (Figure 7).

In 2013–14, increase in the number of beef cattle sold resulted in higher beef cattle receipts for Victorian beef industry farms. Higher receipts combined with lower expenditure on beef cattle purchases to result in average farm cash income for Victorian beef industry farms increasing slightly to $27 200 a farm in 2013–14 (Figure 7).

In 2014–15, higher beef cattle prices are projected to offset a reduction in the number of cattle sold to result in farm cash receipts remaining similar to 2013–14. However, cash costs, including expenditure on fodder is projected to increase resulting in average farm cash income for Victorian beef industry farms declining slightly to $23 000 a farm in 2014–15. The projected farm cash income is around 40 per cent below the industry average of $38 000 a farm for the ten-years to 2013–14 (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Performance of dairy industry farms— Victoria In 2012–13, lower farmgate milk prices, reduction in milk production in all states except Victoria and an increase in farm cash costs resulted in low average farm cash income in all states. Average farm cash incomes rebounded strongly in 2013–14, with relatively large Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES increases in farm gate milk prices in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern New South Wales and smaller increases for producers in other states and regions. Nationally, average farm cash income increased from $44 130 in 2012–13 to $163 900 in 2013–14. In Victoria, average farm cash income increased from $32 490 in 2012–13 to $173 700 in 2013–14 (Table 4).

In 2014–15, lower farm gate milk prices are projected to result in average farm cash incomes declining in most states including Victoria. Milk production is expected to increase in Victoria. However, the increase in production is projected to be unable to fully offset the lower in milk prices together with a small increase in farm cash costs. As a result, average farm cash income is projected to decrease to $87 000 a farm in Victoria, around 16 per cent below the 10-year average to 2013–14 (Figure 8).

When variations to projected farm cash incomes of dairy farms across Australia are taken into account, the overall average farm cash income of Australian dairy farms is projected to decrease to average $97 000 a farm in 2014–15.

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm

2014–15 $’000

Australia Victoria p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Dairy Industry Survey

Table 4 Financial performance, Victoria dairy industry, 2012–13 to 2014–15, average per farm

Performance indicator unit 2012–13 2013–14p RSE 2014–15y Farm cash income $ 32 490 173 700 (13) 87 000 Farm business profit a $ –35 920 77 600 (25) –23 000 Rate of return excluding capital appreciation b % 0.9 4.3 (13) 1.3 a Defined as farm cash income plus buildup in trading stocks, less depreciation and the imputed value of operator partner and family labour. b Defined as profit at full equity, excluding capital appreciation, as a percentage of total opening capital. Profit at full equity is defined as farm business profit plus rent, interest and lease payments less depreciation on leased items. p Preliminary estimates. y Provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Dairy Industry Survey

Performance of vegetable industry farms—Victoria Nationally in 2013–14, average farm cash income is estimated to have declined to $156 000, 4 per cent lower than in 2012–13. Average to above average seasonal conditions helped growers to maintain the high yields of 2012–13. Overall vegetable production was also higher because the average area planted to vegetable crops increased. However, the resulting increase in vegetable cash receipts was partially offset by lower vegetable prices.

In 2012–13 farm cash income in Victoria is estimated to have increased to an average of $218 900 (Table 5), 10 per cent higher than the estimated farm cash income (in real terms) over the eight years to 2012–13 (Figure 9). Average area planted and crop yields were both higher, particularly for less commonly produced vegetables such as carrots, onions, lettuce, cauliflower and cabbages. Although prices for potatoes, carrots and tomatoes were higher, there were large decreases in the prices received for other vegetables. Nevertheless, estimated average vegetable cash receipts increased more than the increase in average cash costs.

Above average yields and higher prices for most vegetable crops are estimated to have resulted in increased average farm cash income in 2013–14 to $314 000 (Table 5), 32 per cent higher than the average farm cash income (in real terms) estimated for Victoria over the nine years to 2013–14 (Figure 9). The area planted to vegetables increased and yields were above average, resulting in increased vegetable production. Vegetable prices were higher for the main vegetable types grown, resulting in higher vegetable cash receipts. Reduced expenditure on repairs and maintenance, interest and plant hire offset higher expenditure on most other inputs.

Table 5 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses, Victoria, 2012–13 and 2013–14 average per farm Selected estimates units 2012–13 p RSE % Change 2013–14 y RSE % Change from 2011–12 from 2012–13 Vegetable cash receipts $ 1 083 100 (11 23 1 179 000 (24 9 ) ) Area sown to vegetables ha 55.7 (12 13 56.3 (26 1 ) ) Quantity of vegetables produced t 1 460 (13 27 1 508 (26 3 ) ) Farm cash income $ 218 900 (22 105 314 000 (29 47 ) ) Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for vegetable farm businesses will be available November 2015. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

Figure 9 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses, Victoria, 2005–06 to 2013–14 average per farm 350

$'0000 y 0 1 2 6 7 8 9 p

2013–14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 3 – – – – – – – 1 1 9 0 1 5 6 7 8 – – 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

3) Fisheries sector

Commercial fishing in the Greater Melbourne region mostly occurs in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. These are key landing sites and homeports for fishing vessels in Victoria. Much of this catch is sold through the Melbourne Seafood Centre (opened in 2012, previously the site of the Melbourne wholesale fish market), Australia’s second largest seafood market after the Sydney Fish Market. Popular commercial species in Port Phillip Bay include: anchovy, Australian salmon, calamari, flathead, flounder, garfish, snapper, whiting, abalone, blue mussel. The main targeted species in Western Port include: snapper, King George whiting, gummy shark, mulloway, flathead and elephant fish. Victoria is the main mussel producing state in Australia with production concentrated in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.

The Greater Melbourne region is also a key area for recreational fishing. Although the participation rate of Melbourne residents in recreational fishing is much lower than in regional centres, the large population means that most Victorian fishers live in this region. In the 2000 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, 58 per cent of Victorian recreational fishers lived in the Greater Melbourne region (Henry and Lyle 2003). They fish in all regions of Victoria but the majority of fishing effort is recorded in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and adjacent coastal waters where flathead, King George whiting, Australian salmon and snapper are the most popular target species. Fishing from boats accounts for 70 per cent of the fishing effort in these locations. Freshwater lakes and river reaches are also popular fishing destinations for Melbourne residents, especially the Goulburn River and Upper Murray River catchments. Redfin, yabbies, trout and carp are the most popular freshwater species targeted by Melbourne residents.

In 2012–13 the gross value of Victoria’s fisheries production (both aquaculture and wild-catch) was $75.2 million, an increase of 3 per cent ($1.9 million) from 2011–12. Victoria contributed 3 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2012–13. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 73 per cent ($54.5 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 27 per cent ($20.7 million).

Victoria’s wild-catch fisheries sector is dominated by two main products—abalone and Southern rocklobster—which account for 48 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, of the total value of wild-caught production in 2012–13. Over the last decade the real value of Victoria’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced by 53 per cent to $54.5 million in 2012–13.

The product for which the real value of production declined most over the past decade is wild- caught abalone, falling by 63 per cent to $26.3 million in 2012–13. This is largely attributable to the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis disease which has significantly reduced abalone production in the Victorian wild-catch sector in recent years. A large proportion of abalone is exported, mostly to Hong Kong, China and Japan. Exchange rate movements have a significant effect on the value of abalone exports and, in turn, production.

Commonwealth fisheries active in the waters off Victoria include the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (main source of domestic fresh fish for Sydney and Melbourne markets) and the Shark Gillnet and Shark Hook Sectors (supplies gummy shark or ‘flake’ to Melbourne) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery. The Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery, Small Pelagic Fishery (mostly fishmeal for aquaculture and agriculture) and the Southern Squid Jig Fishery also operate in the waters off Victoria. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2015 ABARES

In 2012–13 the volume of Victoria’s aquaculture production increased by 15 per cent (309 tonnes) to 2313 tonnes. Salmonids, blue mussels and abalone accounted for 44 per cent, 33 per cent and 16 per cent respectively of this volume and 27 per cent, 10 per cent and 54 per cent respectively of the total value of Victorian aquaculture in 2012–13.

In 2012–13, fisheries products exported from Victoria were valued at $138 million. This value includes State and Commonwealth fisheries products exported from the ports of Victoria, which may be sourced from Victorian waters or other parts of the country. The main export products include abalone and Southern rocklobster. Hong Kong, Vietnam and Japan are the major destinations for Victorian fisheries exports, accounting for 38 per cent, 26 per cent and 15 per cent of the total value of exports in 2012–13, respectively. Other major export destinations include Singapore (10 per cent) and China (4 per cent).

Recreational fishing is popular in Victoria. In the national survey of recreational fishers undertaken in the early 2000s it was found that Victoria had approximately 550 000 recreational fishers that fished in the 12 months to May 2000, an estimated 12.7 per cent of Victoria’s population (Henry and Lyle 2003). This includes gamefishing for species such as southern bluefin tuna (Green et. al. 2012). Recreational fishing also includes diving for Southern rocklobster, abalone, and scallops and hook and line fishing for a range of finfish species, such as snapper, King George whiting, black bream and flathead. Freshwater anglers target rainbow and brown trout, as well as native freshwater fish.

References

ABS 2011, Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014a, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012–2013, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014b, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2014, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014c, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2012–13, cat. no. 7503.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural Sciences 2010, Land use of Australia 2005-06, Version 4, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

ABARES 2014, Catchment scale land use of Australia – update March 2014. Department of Agriculture. http://data.daff.gov.au/anrdl/metadata_files/pb_luausg9abll20140506_11a.xml

Green C, Brown P, Giri K, Bell J, Conron S, (2012) Quantifying the recreational catch of southern bluefin tuna off the Victorian coast. Recreational Fishing Grant Program – Research Report. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria.

Henry G.W. and Lyle J.M. 2003, The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, FRDC Project No. 99/158.