WE'VE cried foul or, rather, feline about it before, but the message isn't getting through. Spoilt moggies are eating more wild seafood than their owners. Surely it's time to feed the fat cats liver instead.
According to a paper by Sena De Silva and Giovanni Turchini titled Towards Understanding the Impacts of the Pet Food Industry on World Fish and Seafood Supplies, Australian cats wolf down 33,500 tonnes of seafood per year. The seafood is a mix of imported and local produce.
But the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association makes the point that it lands just 18,000 tonnes of fish per year. So the annual catch of the NSW and Victorian trawler fleet would need to double just to sate pet cats.
At the same time, pet ownership is increasing globally and, thus, putting increasing pressure on wild fish stocks. Thanks to the generosity of their owners, pets are being fed top-shelf seafood these days.
The current rate of seafood harvest for the sake of our cats is putting undue pressure on wild fish stocks.
Pet food is one of the fastest-growing products in world trade, but there are smarter choices than pilchards, tuna and suchlike on the supermarket shelves. Look at the labels, pick sustainable brands or better still feed them rabbit or make your own pet food.
Meantime, the aftermath of the east coast low-pressure system is a great time to fish. Snapper will be snapping on the inshore reefs, jewfish should be in greater numbers in our estuaries, while big kingfish make a showing in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour.
Bream are about in good numbers, with some thumpers to 40 centimetres, while the deep holes such as those off the runway in Botany Bay are producing plenty of trevally.
Once the impending high pressure system arrives, the flathead will be back on the chew.
An early run of whiting along our Northern Beaches is keeping sand-kickers busy. Live worms are the ticket, but avoid weed inundations from the recent storm.
One fish that doesn't mind it rough is the Aussie salmon. The fish will be schooling around our bay and harbour mouths. Try small metal lures or saltwater fly.
Luderick are lining up, with especially big ones around Broken Bay, Sow and Pigs in Sydney Harbour, and the mouth of Port Hacking.
Boater-based anglers berleying and baiting with bread have been scoring some thumper black drummer. In fact, the fishery around the base of Sydney's otherwise inaccessible cliffs has been so productive local guides are using it as their trusty fallback.
Game fishers will note the tongue of warm water way out off Newcastle. It's only a matter of time until the warm water kisses the coast and we have a marlin bite. Once the weather settles there should be yellowfin tuna on The Shelf, too.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
How much seafood do Australian pet cats consume each year?
According to a paper by Sena De Silva and Giovanni Turchini cited in the article, Australian cats consume about 33,500 tonnes of seafood per year, a mix of imported and local produce.
How does cats' seafood consumption compare with the commercial trawl catch on the east coast?
The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association reports it lands about 18,000 tonnes of fish per year, so the article notes the NSW and Victorian trawler fleet would need to roughly double its annual catch just to match the seafood eaten by pet cats.
Is rising pet food demand putting pressure on wild fish stocks?
Yes. The article says growing pet ownership worldwide and the rapid expansion of the pet food trade are increasing demand for seafood ingredients, and that the current rate of seafood harvest for pets is putting undue pressure on wild fish stocks.
What does the article say about the pet food industry’s growth in world trade?
The article states pet food is one of the fastest‑growing products in world trade, driven by increasing pet ownership and owners feeding higher‑quality seafood to their animals.
What sustainable pet food choices does the article recommend to reduce pressure on wild seafood?
The article suggests looking at labels and choosing sustainable brands, avoiding common seafood ingredients like pilchards and tuna where possible, or alternatives such as feeding rabbit or making your own pet food to lower reliance on wild fish stocks.
What should everyday investors note about these pet food and seafood trends?
Everyday investors tracking the seafood supply chain or the pet‑food sector may want to note the rising demand for seafood in pet diets, the strain this places on wild fish stocks, and the growing focus on sustainable pet‑food options highlighted in the article.
What local fishing opportunities and species did the article highlight after the east coast low‑pressure system?
The article highlights improved fishing prospects: snapper on inshore reefs, jewfish in estuaries, kingfish in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour, bream (to about 40cm), trevally in deep holes, flathead returning once high pressure arrives, an early run of whiting on the Northern Beaches, Aussie salmon schooling near bay and harbour mouths, luderick around Broken Bay, Sow and Pigs, and Port Hacking, plus productive black drummer spots for boaters and potential marlin and yellowfin tuna offshore once the weather settles.
Which seafood ingredients does the article specifically mention as common in pet food?
The article mentions pilchards and tuna as examples of supermarket seafood ingredients used in pet food and suggests there are smarter, more sustainable alternatives to these common choices.
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