Tasmania’s toothfish fishery has been declared sustainable by two influential bodies following adjustments in fishing methods.
Just 15 years ago the fishery was on the verge of being decimated by poachers in the Southern Ocean.
In an unusual partnership, environmentalists and the industry campaigned together to encourage consumer boycotts as well as increased surveillance at sea and more controls in ports.
The poaching has been mostly wiped out and changes in fishing gear has seen the number of albatross being caught in fishing lines massively reduced.
Alistair Graham from the World Wildlife Fund says collaboration between the toothfish industry and environmentalists has helped stamp out illegal fishing.
“By working together combining our networks and way of doing things we had a spectacular effect on the public policy environment both domestically and internationally but also on commercial behaviour,” he said.
Martin Exel from the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators says a lot of work has been put in and now only a handful of birds are being killed.
The Australian fisheries at Heard and Macquarie Islands have now been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable.
Mr Exel says America’s most influential seafood rating agency, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has also taken notice.
“In Australia’s case both of our fisheries are rated best choice which aligns with the Marine Stewardship Council Certification where both of our fisheries are rated as well managed and sustainable,” he said.