Issue: Utilisation and value of biodiversity - Harvesting and trade in wildlife
This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
Harvesting is the removal of wildlife from wild populations through the collection of plants or plant parts, the live capture of animals, the killing of animals, or the collection of eggs. Harvesting can reduce population size and may change the demographic and other characteristics of populations. It is therefore important that any harvesting is conducted on a sustainable basis that is, wild populations are harvested without causing population declines, or other significant impacts on the species.
The economic value of some native species includes some major industries such as fisheries and forestry, which are based largely on wild populations.
The wildflower, bushfood and cut foliage industries also involve numerous native species and there are many lesser known uses of Australian wildlife for economic purposes.
Without adequate controls on harvesting and trade, some species could become threatened.
Indicators
- BD-23 Some selected nationally significant native terrestrial species subjected to harvesting and population trends
Data on trends in abundance and populations of harvested species would give some indication of whether harvesting is sustainable. - LD-10 Number of compounds from terrestrial sources at some stage of commercial development
Trends in the development of medicines and other useful compounds from terrestrial biodiversity would be indicative of a significant use of biodiversity. - CO-07 Australian fisheries production - national tonnage and value of retained catch
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-09 Number of compounds from coastal and marine sources at some stage of commercial development
Trends in the development of medicines and other useful compounds from marine biodiversity is an indicator of trends in the harvesting of biodiversity. - CO-16 Status of Australian fisheries
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-17 Change in species and trophic structure of fish species caught
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-19 Estimated tonnage taken by illegal fishing; estimated number of illegal boats, estimated number of individuals of threatened species taken
Harvesting of wild fish, including illegal fishing, is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-20 Non-target effects: Area of seabeds trawled
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-21 Non-target effects: Number and/or weight taken as bycatch, and change since introduction of exclusion devices
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. The pressure of bycatch in the course of this harvesting on marine biodiversity is significant. - CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
Harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. Harvesting of wild fish can also impact on marine life through marine debris from fishing activities, primarily ghost nets and other fishing debris. - CO-62 Estimated number of marine animals harvested by recreational fishers
Recreational harvesting of wild fish is the principal non-commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-63 Estimated number of marine animals harvested by indigenous fishers
Indigenous harvesting of wild fish is the principal Indigenous harvesting of wild animals in Australia. - CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
Harvesting of wild fish is a primary means whereby news species are introduced into Australian waters. - AAT-19 Annual catch in tonnes of marine species harvested in Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters - legal and illegal
In terms of mass and number of individuals killed, harvesting of wild fish is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia and the AAT. - AAT-20 Fishing by-catch numbers and/or weight taken as bycatch
In terms of mass and number of individuals killed, harvesting of wild fish, including bycatch, is the principal commercial harvesting of wild animals in Australia and the AAT.
Related issues
- Land - Contributions of land to human life - Medicines and other potentially useful biological compounds from terrestrial sources
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life - Medicines and other potentially useful biological compounds
- Coasts and Oceans - Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Condition of fisheries
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life - Food
- Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Pressure of fishing
- Land - Contributions of land to human life - Living materials from the land
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
Opens a pop-up window
PDF files
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a PDF file, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.