SCUBA air compressor

Maker Mitsubishi

Datebefore 1988

Object number00005503

NameCompressor

MediumMetal

DimensionsOverall: 460 x 400 x 502 mm

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from New South Wales Abalone Co-operative Society Ltd

Terms

DescriptionA air compressor for diver's breathing apparatus. Air is delivered via filters and synthetic or rubber hose to diver's breathing regulator. Inscribed 'Mitsubishi made in Japan' and 'Norton Villiers Australia Pty. Ltd. engineers, manufacturers, distributors'. Part of a collection of abalone diving equipment.History"Generally, abalone are taken through diving with compressed air supplied through a hookahunit, although in some cases scuba or free diving may be employed. A typical commercial operation consists of one diverand one deckhand. Abalone isremoved from the reef using a chisel shaped abalone iron. The catch is placed into mesh bags and buoyed to the surface using an inverted canvas or plastic bag (‘parachute’). Abalone fishing in Australia is controlled through a quota management system which caps the commercial catch by imposing a TACC. Other management methods include seasonal and area closures, minimum legal size limit, and a possession limit for the recreational sector. These catch limiting strategies are intended to maintain sustainable stocks of abalone. In addition to the commercial sector, abalone is harvested by recreational and Indigenous fishers and is regarded as a traditional food source by Aboriginal people. " New South Wales Commercial Abalone Fishery, 2005SignificanceAbalone fishing or collecting is another way Australians have long harvested the sea. Since the 1960's commercial abalone fisheries have existed and are now a multimillion dollar export industry.