This news item arrives courtesy of the Marine and Coastal Community Network's excellent Wetstuff marine and coastal news digest.

The Federal Environment Minister, Ian Campbell is considering listing the Orange Roughy as Endangered.

The government's statement says, "Expert advice from the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has recommended that the Orange Roughy is eligible to be listed as endangered under federal environment law. Further analysis by the Department of Environment and Heritage supports the conclusion that the species in Australia has undergone an unplanned and severe decline in numbers.
"Orange Roughy is a commercially-targeted marine fish, primarily caught in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery off the south-east coast of the mainland and around Tasmania. It is a slow maturing species that can live up to 150 years."

Senator Campbell has been subject to strong criticism in the past for refusing to list the internationally endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna under Australian law. As a result, thousands of Australians may be eating an Endangered species without even realising it.

It's important no that responses flow in to the Minister suppprting the listing of Orange Roughy and asking again why he has neglected the SBT.

The Committee’s advice together with the Department’s analysis is at www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html