They are a world-renowned delicacy and one of the most expensive seafoods on the market, but Tasmanian wild-caught abalone could soon be wiped out if current quotas aren't reduced, according to one industry expert.

Key points: The total allowable catch of abalone across Tasmanian waterways for 2019 is 1,267,000 kilograms

The total allowable catch of abalone across Tasmanian waterways for 2019 is 1,267,000 kilograms After suggesting the limit be reduced by two-thirds for 2020, a member of the Abalone Council executive committee was not re-elected to his position

After suggesting the limit be reduced by two-thirds for 2020, a member of the Abalone Council executive committee was not re-elected to his position The outgoing member said he fears for the future of the industry

At a packed general meeting of the Abalone Council on Saturday night, after suggesting the total allowable catch be reduced by two thirds to prevent the industry from being on a "path to oblivion", council member Darvin Hansen, of Tasmanian Seafoods, failed to win back his seat on the council's executive committee.

The council instead voted for a 19 per cent quota reduction — something Mr Hansen described as "ineffective" and based on a strategy that is "modelled to be palatable to the industry … developed by norming to what the industry has done in the past".

Mr Hansen said he was aware of divers of "30 years' experience" who were working in areas unfished for ten months due to weather — who were diving on gutters "that should get 1.7 tonnes … they're getting 150 kilos".

"You've got to ask, what are we doing?"

Chair of the Abalone Council Joey McKibben said Mr Hansen's failure to win back his seat on the committee was not due to his personal views, adding Mr Hansen still "gets a lot of support".

"Unfortunately, he didn't get back on [the council] but fortunately someone else gets a chance," Mr McGibbon said.

Darvin Hansen was voted off the Tasmanian Abalone Council executive committee after recommending a drastic cut to the quota. ( ABC News: Mahalia Carter )

Mr McKibben defended the 19 per cent reduction to catch limits as a "huge cut", adding "last year we took a very similar cut" and that they were "getting larger and larger".

He said the decision was reached through an independent process which "effectively spits out a number and if catch rates are trending down, there has to be a very good reason for us to not follow what it spits out".

"We have independent boards with independent scientists, including [chief abalone scientist] Dr Craig Mundy."

Dr Craig Mundy said a 19 per cent reduction was "a good start". ( ABC News: Mahalia Carter )

'We are our own worst enemy to abalone'

Dr Mundy said a 19 per cent reduction was "a good start".

"It's about looking to the future, we're setting targets about where we want the fishery to go.

"Yes, we want to meet those targets, but how quickly do we want to get there?"

Hobart-based diver Greg Hughes told ABC Hobart he had been catching abalone for around 40 years and said one area near Bruny Island used to have a catch of 100 tonnes per year.

He said this year, no abalone were expected to be caught in that area.

Mr Hughes said he would have supported Darvin Hansen's motion.

"It tells you we're in a bad place," he said. "We are our own worst enemy to abalone."

Mr Hansen said the State Government, which co-manages the fishery alongside industry members and scientists, should intervene and make its own determination of catch limits.

He said, as far as he could recall, the Government had yet to step in "to set the total allowable catch to anything other than the industry recommendation".

"I'd like the minister, Guy Barnett, to meet with Dr Mundy and take a more precautionary approach for Tasmania, the industry and everyone."

"We need to act, the question is just how much."

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said any decision on the abalone limits "should be based on evidence, based on science, and ensure there is fish for the future".

Editor's note (16/12/19): The article has been changed to clarify that Darvin Hansen failed to win back his seat on the council’s executive committee.