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Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2014

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agriculturaland Resource Economics and Sciences

About my region 14.15March 2014

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, 2014 ABARES

© Commonwealth of Australia 2014

Ownership of intellectual property rightsUnless 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).

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This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as ABARES 2014, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria 2014, About my region 14.15, Canberra, March. CC BY 3.0.

Cataloguing dataABARES 2014, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria 2014, About my region 14.15, Canberra, March.

ISSN TBAISBN 978-1-74323-075-6 ABARES project 43009

InternetAgriculture and Fisheries in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria 2014 is available at daff.gov.au/abares/publications.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)Postal address GPO Box 1563 Canberra ACT 2601Switchboard +61 2 6272 2010|Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001Email [email protected] daff.gov.au/abares

Inquiries regarding the licence and any use of this document should be sent to: [email protected].

The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence, for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law.

AcknowledgementsThis regional profile was updated by Tim Caboche, Peter Martin, Therese Thompson, Sonja Nikolova, Johnny Xu and Kasia Mazur.

mailto:[email protected]

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Contents1 Regional overview.................................................................................................................................. 1

Employment.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Agriculture sector................................................................................................................................... 3

Value of agricultural production......................................................................................................3Number and type of farms.................................................................................................................. 3Farm financial performance—Victoria..........................................................................................5

3 Fisheries sector..................................................................................................................................... 11

References........................................................................................................................................................... 13

TablesTable 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2011–12......................................................4

Table 2 Financial performance, Victoria broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm..................................................................................................................................... 6

Table 3 Farm cash income of Victoria broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm..................................................................................................................................... 7

Table 4 Financial performance, Victoria dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm....................................................................................................................................................... 9

Table 5 Selected estimates, vegetable growers, Victoria, average per farm..........................10

FiguresFigure 1 Employment profile, Greater Melbourne region, August 2011...................................2

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Greater Melbourne region, Victoria,...................3

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Greater Melbourne, 2011–12..............................................................................................................................4

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm................................6

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm............................................7

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, sheep industry, average per farm............................................8

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm................................................8

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm..............................................9

MapsMap 1 Greater Melbourne region of Victoria..........................................................................................1


1 Regional overviewThe 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 Greater Melbourne region of Victoria

EmploymentAustralian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census data from 2011 indicate that around 2 million people were employed in the Greater Melbourne region. The Greater Melbourne region accounts for 76 per cent of total employment in Victoria and 17 per cent of all people employed in the Victoria agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Health care and social assistance was the largest employing sector with 213 518 people followed by manufacturing with 208 608 people (Figure 1). Other important employment sectors in the region were retail trade (203 775 people), professional, scientific and technical services (172 254), construction (157 533) and education and training (153 108 people).

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The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employed 9975 people, representing less than 1 per cent of the region’s workforce. Of these, 86 per cent were employed in agriculture, 9 per cent in support services for the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, 2 per cent in forestry and logging, and 1 per cent in fishing hunting and trapping industries. In addition, an estimated 30 397 people were employed in food product manufacturing and 13 142 people were employed in wood, pulp and paper product manufacturing in the region (included in manufacturing sector employment).

Figure 1 Employment profile, Greater Melbourne region, August 2011

- 50 100 150 200 250

OtherMining

Agriculture, Forestry and FishingElectricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate ServicesArts and Recreation Services

Information Media and TelecommunicationsAdministrative and Support Services

Financial and Insurance ServicesTransport, Postal and Warehousing

Wholesale TradePublic Administration and Safety

Accommodation and Food ServicesEducation and Training

ConstructionProfessional, Scientific and Technical Services

Retail TradeManufacturing

Health Care and Social Assistance

Employed total ('000 )

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

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2 Agriculture sectorValue of agricultural production In 2011–12 the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Greater Melbourne region was $1.3 billion, which was 12 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Victoria ($11.3 billion) for 2011–12. This is the most recent year for which data are available from the ABS on GVAP for this region.

The Greater Melbourne region has a diverse agricultural sector. In 2011–12, the Greater Melbourne region accounted for around 98 per cent of the total value of Victorian strawberries, 92 per cent of the total value of mushrooms, and 55 per cent of the total value of poultry.

The most important commodity in the Greater Melbourne region based on the gross value of agricultural production was vegetables (Figure 2). In 2011–12, vegetables contributed 27 per cent ($347 million) to the value of agricultural production in the region. The main vegetable crops were mushrooms ($72 million), lettuce ($43 million) and broccoli ($42 million). Poultry accounted for 23 per cent ($295 million) and fruit 15 per cent ($193 million), with the main crops being strawberries ($92 million), apples ($62 million) and cherries ($6 million). Nurseries accounted for 12 per cent ($155 million), cut flowers 8 per cent ($107 million), and eggs 4 per cent ($54 million).

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Greater Melbourne region, Victoria,

2011–12


Number and type of farmsABS data indicate that in 2011–12 there were 3337 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.

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Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2011–12Industry Classification Greater Melbourne region Victoria

no. % no. %Beef Cattle 906 27 8,178 25 Fruit and nuts 404 12 2,375 7 Other livestock 315 9 1,493 5 Vegetable 313 9 730 2 Nurseries, Cut Flowers and Turf 289 9 424 1 Poultry 152 5 264 1 Mixed livestock 78 2 1,347 4 Dairy 73 2 5,027 15 Sheep 47 1 3,984 12 Mixed grains and livestock 36 1 2,373 7 Other 725 22 6,257 19 Total Agriculture 3,337 100 32,452 100

Note: Where the estimated value of agricultural operations is more 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 (906 farms) were the most common, accounting for 27 per cent of all farms in the Greater Melbourne region, and 11 per cent of all beef cattle farms in Victoria.

A large proportion of farms in the region are small in terms of their business size. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size, and is somewhat similar to turnover. 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 2011–12. In comparison, 20 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $350 000 and accounted for an estimated 84 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region in 2011–12.

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Greater Melbourne, 2011–12

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

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


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Farm financial performance—VictoriaEach 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—VictoriaFarm cash income for Victorian broadacre farms declined from an estimated average of $92 310 per farm in 2011–12 to an average of $85 600 per farm in 2012–13, mainly as a result of lower livestock prices and reduced grain production (Table 2).

In 2013–14, receipts from sheep, lambs and wool are projected to increase as a result of higher prices. However, despite increased turnoff of beef cattle, lower saleyard prices are projected to result in little change in beef cattle receipts. Receipts from cropping are projected to remain similar to 2012-13, with only a small increase in winter crop production and lower prices for

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canola, barley and some grain legumes. On average, farm cash income for broadacre farms in Victoria is projected to decline slightly to $82 000 per farm in 2013–14, around 12 per cent above the ten-year average to 2012–13 of $73 000 per farm.

Overall, farm cash incomes are projected to increase in the Mallee region, although farm cash incomes vary greatly within this region. Farm cash income is projected to decline slightly in the Wimmera mainly as a result of lower prices for some grains and a larger decline is projected in the Central North due to the additional impact of lower beef cattle prices. In southern and eastern Victoria, increased cattle turn-off together with higher sheep, lamb and wool prices are projected to result in a small increase in average farm cash income (Table 3).

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

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13p

2013-14y

0

50

100

150

Australia Victoria

2013–14$'000

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate.

Table 2 Financial performance, Victoria broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicatorunit

s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–

14yTotal cash receipts $ 303 990 279 700 (9) 278 000Total cash costs $ 211 680 194 200 (10) 196 000Farm cash income $ 92 310 85 600 (11) 82 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 20 25 (18) 28Farm business profit $ 8 530 12 400 (68) - 2 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 36 060 37 200 (27) 22 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 2 902 350 2 820 700 (10) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 278 170 252 400 (15) 255 000Equity ratio b % 90 91 (1) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.3 1.3 (22) 0.8Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 37 960 32 200 (14) na

Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.

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Table 3 Farm cash income of Victoria broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm

Region units 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yMallee $ 126 100 (26) 165 000Wimmera $ 157 400 (14) 150 000Central North $ 93 100 (15) 50 000Southern and Eastern Victoria $ 55 000 (26) 59 000

Note: 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.

Performance of grains industry farms—VictoriaIn 2012–13, crop receipts increased for Victorian grains farms compared to those recorded in 2011–12, as higher crop prices offset reductions in crop production resulting from drier conditions through winter and spring. Farm cash income for Victorian grains industry farms averaged $171 000 a farm in 2012–13 (Figure 5).

Overall, in 2013–14, crop receipts for Victorian grains farms are projected to remain similar to those recorded in 2012–13, lower prices for canola, barley and some grain legumes mostly offsetting small increases in overall grain production.

Farm cash income for Victorian grains industry farms is projected to average $151 000 a farm in 2013–14, around 35 per cent above the industry average for the previous 10 years (Figure 5). However, farm cash incomes for Victorian grains industry farms were reduced by dry conditions throughout much of this period.

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

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13p

2013-14y

0

50

100

150

200

250

Australia Victoria

2013–14$'000


Performance of sheep industry farms—VictoriaFarm cash incomes were relatively high in historical terms for Victorian sheep industry farms in the period 2009–10 to 2011–12 (Figure 6). However, in 2012–13, a reduction of 25 per cent in average prices received for lambs, a larger reduction in the average price received for adult sheep and an 8 per cent reduction in the average wool price received resulted in farm receipts for Victorian sheep farms falling by 23 per cent. Despite a reduction in average cash costs resulting mainly from reduced expenditure on sheep purchases and interest payments, average farm cash income for sheep industry farms declined to an average of $53 000 per farm.

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In 2013–14, higher adult sheep and lamb prices, together with a small increase in wool prices are projected to result in an increase in farm cash receipts. Average farm cash income for sheep industry farms is projected to increase to average $68 000 per farm, around 12 per cent above the industry average of $61 000 per farm for the ten-years to 2012–13.

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

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13p

2013-14y

0

50

100

150

Australia Victoria

2013–14$'000


Performance of beef industry farms—VictoriaA 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 2012–13, a reduction of 15 per cent in the average price received for beef cattle sold reduced farm cash receipts and despite a further reduction in expenditure on beef cattle purchases average farm cash income for Victorian beef industry farms declined to average $18 000 per farm in 2012–13 (Figure 7).

In 2013–14, a further reduction in the average price received for beef cattle sold is projected to result in average farm cash income for Victorian beef industry farms declining further to average $11 000 per farm in 2013–14, less than half the industry average of $36 000 per farm for the ten-years to 2012–13 (Figure 7).

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

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13p

2013-14y

0

50

100

150

Australia Victoria

2013–14$'000

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Performance of dairy industry farms— VictoriaIn 2012–13, a reduction in farmgate milk prices averaging 7 per cent and a reduction of 3 per cent in average milk production in Victoria, together with an increase in average cash costs of 11 per cent driven mainly by a rise in expenditure on fodder and interest payments, resulted in farm cash incomes for Victorian dairy farms declining from $141 790 in 2011–12 to just $31 500 in 2012–13. An estimated 38 per cent of Victorian dairy farms recorded negative farm cash incomes and farm business profit declined to an average loss of $40 100 per farm (Table 4).

In 2013–14 average farm cash incomes are projected to rebound strongly with an increase in farmgate milk prices of around 20 per cent. Despite a projected reduction in milk production and an increase in total cash costs, resulting mainly from higher fodder expenditure, farm cash income for Victorian dairy farms is projected to increase to an average of $127 000 per farm. If achieved, this would be around 39 per cent above the average for the ten-years to 2012–13, in real terms. However, average farm cash income for Victorian dairy farms was low in many years during this period due to drought and reduced availability of irrigation water (Figure 8).

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

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13p

2013-14y

0

50

100

150

200

Australia Victoria

2013–14$'000


Table 4 Financial performance, Victoria dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14yTotal cash receipts $ 583 330 523 500 (14) 629 000Total cash costs $ 441 540 492 000 (15) 502 000Farm cash income $ 141 790 31 500 (52) 127 000Farms with negative farm cash income % 16 38 (29) 14Farm business profit $ 67 030 - 40 100 (32) 51 000Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 130 310 27 100 (58) 115 000Farm capital at 30 June a $ 2 988 710 3 371 100 (11) naFarm debt at 30 June b $ 644 610 747 800 (10) 754 000Equity ratio b % 79 78 (3) naRate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 4.3 0.8 (54) 3.5Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 20 020 22 800 (20) na

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Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided.

Performance of vegetable industry farms— VictoriaThe number of vegetable growing farms in Victoria increased from 529 farms in 2010–11 to 601 in 2011–12 (Table 5). The majority of farms grew only one vegetable type (76 per cent of vegetable growing farms) in 2011–12 while a small proportion grew five or more vegetable types (4 per cent). The most common vegetables grown were potatoes (323 farms), broccoli (86 farms) and tomatoes (56 farms). Vegetable growing farms were predominately located around Melbourne as well as Gippsland and irrigated regions along the Murray River. In 2011–12, the average area operated by a vegetable growing farm in Victoria was 160 hectares, of which 49 hectares were sown to vegetables with around 75 per cent of vegetable growers planting less than 43 hectares to vegetables.

Farm cash income for vegetable growing farms averaged $114 300 per farm in 2011–12, much lower than the average of $190 580 recorded for 2010–11. The reduction in average farm cash income was partly a result of the entry of additional, mainly smaller, farms to vegetable production in 2011–12. However increased average total cash costs, particularly expenditure on contracts, freight, packing charges, and materials, also contributed significantly to the reduction.

In 2012–13, despite drier seasonal conditions through summer and autumn, higher vegetable yields are estimated to have resulted in vegetable receipts increasing by around 9 per cent. However, reductions in other farm receipts, particularly receipts from livestock and broadacre crops resulted in lower average total cash receipts and a decline in farm cash income to an average of $90 000 per farm.

Table 5 Selected estimates, vegetable growers, Victoria, average per farm

Selected estimates units 2010–11 2011–12p RSE 2012–13yNumber of growers no. 529 601 601– Vegetable receipts $ 764 270 881 700 (13) 962 000Total cash receipts $ 916 200 1 042 300 (11) 1 014 000Total cash costs $ 725 620 928 000 (11) 924 000Farm cash income $ 190 580 114 300 (46) 90 000Rate of return a % 2.8 0.9 (101) 0.2Total area operated June 30 ha 103 160 (16) naArea sown to vegetables ha 52 49 (14) 46Total vegetables sold t 1137 1089 (16) 1191Total area of vegetables irrigated ha 45 45 (16) naVolume of irrigation water applied ml 126 89 (20) naNote: a Excludes capital appreciations. p Preliminary estimate y Provisional estimate. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for Vegetable farms will be available November 2014.Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

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3 Fisheries sectorCommercial 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 2011–12 the gross value of Victoria’s fisheries production (both aquaculture and wild-catch) was $71 million, an increase of 1 per cent ($1 million) from 2010–11. Victoria contributed 3 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2011–12. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 77 per cent ($55 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 23 per cent ($16 million).

Victoria’s wild-catch fisheries sector is dominated by two main products—abalone and Southern rocklobster—which account for 43 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively, of the total value of wild-caught production in 2011–12. Over the last decade the value of Victoria’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced from $134 million (2001–02) to $55 million (2011–12; in 2011–12 terms).

The product for which the real value of production declined most over the past decade is wild-caught abalone, falling by $59 million from $83million (2001–02) to $24 million (2011–12; in 2011–12 terms). 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 (main source of domestic fresh fish for Sydney and Melbourne markets) and the Gillnet Hook and Trap 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.

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In 2011–12 the volume of Victoria’s aquaculture production declined by 29 per cent (742 tonnes) to 1811 tonnes. Salmonids and blue mussels accounted for 74 per cent of this volume and 36 per cent of the total value of Victorian aquaculture in 2011–12.

In 2011–12, Victoria’s fisheries product exports were valued at $154 million. The main export products include abalone and Southern rocklobster. Hong Kong and Japan are the major destinations for Victorian fisheries exports, accounting for 48 per cent and 15 per cent of the total value of exports in 2011–12, respectively. Other major export destinations include Singapore (11 per cent), Vietnam (9 per cent), China (5 per cent) and Thailand (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.

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

ABS 2012, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2010–11, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

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.

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