A water sprayer in action in the South East Trawl fishery (Courtesy of the vessel Lady Miriam)

In an Australian first, fishermen have designed and built a new seabird mitigation device using a water sprayer to scare birds away from warp wires. Those involved include the owner of the South East Trawl boat Lady Miriam, based in Lakes Entrance, Tony Guarnaccia, the skipper, Trevor “Bluey” Hunt and his crew, along with Sot Sotirakis, an engineer and South East Trawl Operator.

Seabirds are natural scavengers and are attracted to the opportunities that fishing boats offer. In their aggressiveness to get the food they are often not aware of the warp wires that can entangle them until it is too late. The water sprayer works by delivering a spray of water from a boom angled over the area where birds are at greatest risk—i.e. where the warp wires enter the water. The birds avoid the jets of water and are less likely to be entangled in the warp wire.

The team has been working hard on developing the water sprayer and is continuing to collect information on its effectiveness to get the device assessed and available to other fishers who may wish to use it. The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) has uploaded footage of the water sprayer in action.

Australian Fisheries Management Authority CEO Dr James Findlay said that industry plays an important role in developing by-catch mitigation devices with a real understanding of how such devices can work in practical applications.

“It’s great when fishers like Tony and Bluey develop new and innovative ideas which help protect seabirds”, Dr Findlay said.

SETFIA CEO, Simon Boag said that the water sprayer is just one example where fishers have worked to improve outcomes for protected species. “Fishers in the South East Trawl Sector are committed to protecting threatened, endangered and protected species, we will continue to work with AFMA to develop by-catch mitigation devices”, he said.

Activities to improve outcomes for by-catch are also being undertaken in several fisheries managed by AFMA under ‘Caring for our Country’.

For more information regarding by-catch issues please contact Mike Gerner, AFMA Bycatch Program Manager on 02 6225 5379, or mike.gerner@afma.gov.au.

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Marine Nation 2025 highlights the enormous potential of Australia’s marine resources to contribute to the Australian economy, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved in their management.

“Australia’s oceans are a critical part of our economy and will play a vital role in our future prosperity,” Mr Bowen said.

“With an estimated economic value of around $42 billion in 2009-10, it is critical that we manage our oceans in a sustainable and sensible way. Marine Nation 2025 provides a framework to start a national discussion on how we can better benefit from our oceans while preserving their health for future generations.”

The report outlines six major challenges for the management of Australia’s marine resources: sovereignty, national security and natural hazards, energy security, food security, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, climate change, and resource allocation.

The report was prepared by the Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group and can be found at www.aims.gov.au/opsag .
For more information please contact Beth Gibson, Senior Manager Policy, Environment, Economics and Research on 02 6225 5305 or email beth.gibson@afma.gov.au.

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The Total Allowable Catch for Patagonian Toothfish caught in the Macquarie Island fishery has been set at 415t for the 2013/14 fishing year. A bycatch limit has been set at 50 tonnes for any other species caught in the fishery.

The Macquarie Island fishing season starts on 1 May. Following the recent amendments to the fishing season date changes, the new dates now coincides with the start of the longline fishing season, which runs from 1 May to 31 August.

The longline season only occurs over winter months to ensure no seabirds are caught around Macquarie Island. Weighted lines also mean that the lines enter the water at water level which reduces the chance of birds trying to take bait off the hooks. These world’s best practice bird mitigation measures mean that no seabirds have been caught since the longlining method was introduced in 2007.

All boats fishing around Macquarie Island are also required to carry two AFMA observers to ensure fishing operations are monitored.

For more information please contact Trent Timmiss, Senior Manager Tuna and International Fisheries on 02 6225 5313 or trent.timmiss@afma.gov.au.

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E-monitoring can include cameras, global positioning systems and sensors and can generate a range of visual and nonvisual information for monitoring fishing and related activities.

E-monitoring will enhance AFMA’s ability to manage Commonwealth fisheries as it provides AFMA with accurate, comprehensive and timely data on the state of fish stocks and on the impacts of fishing on both fish stocks and the marine environment. It is also a cost effective alternative to using observers for industry and will complement the information AFMA receives from observers, vessel-monitoring systems and logbook reporting.

A number of provisions have also been introduced to deter fishers from hindering the operation of e-monitoring equipment, or to modify, damage, or destroy e-monitoring data.

The changes to the legislation will increase the effectiveness of AFMA’s enforcement powers by providing a higher level of at-sea monitoring. This will provide greater certainty for fishers and the community that Australia’s fisheries are well managed and will continue to be sustainable in the future.

For more information, please contact Jeremy Richter, Senior Manager, Service One on 02 6225 5402 or jeremy.richter@afma.gov.au.

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Following feedback from industry AFMA has now expanded access to AFMAs online Licensing system GoFish, to Apple MAC users.

MAC users are now able to join their PC counterparts in viewing and trading their fishing concession online 24hr a day 7 days a week.

As well as providing around the clock access to your fishing concessions, trading on GoFish is cheaper than submitting paper based applications.

If you would like to know more click on the GoFish logo on the AFMA website at www.afma.gov.au or contact AFMA Licensing on 1300 723 621.

Please note: AFMA is aware that some users are currently experiencing problems when using GoFish with Internet Explorer 10. AFMA is working on resolving this problem as soon as possible.

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The meeting will give you an opportunity to engage with the AFMA Commissioners and gain an understanding of recent fisheries management initiatives and the key challenges for the organisation in the coming period.

For more information please contact Ryan Murphy, Executive Secretary, on 02 6225 5576 or ryan.murphy@afma.gov.au.

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Skippers and crew in training in Cairns

Over 60 Northern Prawn fishers have improved their understanding of Turtle Excluder Devices and Bycatch Reduction Devices at workshops run in Cairns, Darwin and Karumba in March.

The workshop examined a range of issues facing the fishery and worked on developing strategies and actions that the fishermen can adopt to further improve the sustainability of the industry.
Presenters covered a wide range of topics including protected species mitigation, regulatory and reporting requirements and fish stock assessments.

The program is a joint initiative between AFMA and industry with funding being granted through the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for Our Country’ program.

It follows a similar initiative for trawl fishing that won Seamec Maritime Education and the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) a joint award at the 2011 Victorian Seafood Industries training awards.

For more information please contact Mike Gerner, Manager Bycatch Program on (02) 6225 5379 or mike.gerner@afma.gov.au.

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These changes are necessary so that the two Management Plans are consistent with the recently approved Quota Administration Policy and all other fishery Management Plans. The Policy requires that all quota species taken need to be accounted for against individual quota holdings.

AFMA invites interested persons to provide written submissions on the draft amendments to the BSCZSF and SESSF plans by 5pm on 13 May 2013.

Copies of the draft amendments to the BSCZSF Plan and the SESSF Plan are available on
AFMA’s website (www.afma.gov.au) or may be obtained by contacting AFMA on (02) 6225 5555.

Written submissions should be forwarded to:

• The Manager, Policy, Australian Fisheries Management Authority
  Box 7051, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610; or
• fax: (02) 6225 5500; or
•  e-mail to: vyt.vilkaitis@afma.gov.au

For more information please contact Vyt Vilkaitis, Manager Policy, Environment and Economics on (02) 6225 5425 or vyt.vilkaitis@afma.gov.au.

The post Invitation for submissions on proposed Management Plan amendments in the Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery and South-East Scalefish and Shark fishery appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

AFMA officers Bonney Webb and Paul O’Donnell (right), with Timor Leste fisheries inspection department and Navy personnel at the Timor Leste Navy Base at Hera, 17 km outside of Dili. High levels of IUU activity in this area impacts the significant economic potential that fisheries development can offer the Timorese people.

Two fisheries officers from AFMA’s International Compliance Operations team recently visited Timor Leste to raise awareness on issues associated with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity in Timor Leste waters.  During the visit the officers provide training and education to the Timor Leste fisheries compliance agencies, including the Marine Police and Navy.

AFMA has been working closely with its counterpart agency in Timor Leste, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) for a number of years, to develop fisheries in one of the world’s newest and least developed countries. Timor Leste’s unique and pristine coastline coupled with an abundance of highly commercially valuable fish species is increasingly popular with tourists for its recreational diving and natural beauty. Illegal fishing threatens to compromise these economic oppurtunities for Timorese development.

AFMA officers demonstrated that Australia’s cooperative compliance model is an effective way to combat IUU fishing in both Australia’s Northern and Southern waters. The officers also attended the 13th National Police Day for Timor Leste which was attended by more than 250 guests including President, Taur Matan Ruak and the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão.

This AFMA officer exchange was part of an AusAID funded fisheries development and officer exchange program. The next phase of the program will see the two Timorese MAF officers work alongside AFMA officers in Australia for a month in the second half of 2013.

For more information, contact Cindy Bravos, Manager International Compliance Operations (08) 8943 0355 or cindy.bravos@afma.gov.au

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RAGs play an important role in providing scientific and economic advice to Management Advisory Committees (MACs) and the AFMA Commission. This advice focusses on the status of fish stocks, non-target and target species, and the impact of fishing on the marine environment.

Appointments to RAGs are expertise-based and Expressions of Interest (EOI) are sought for scientific, economic, industry, conservation and recreational/charter fishing (where relevant to the fishery) for member positions. Appointments to these positions will be for a period of up to three years.

If you would like to apply you must submit a written EOI outlining your relevant experience and / or qualifications directly to Sally Weekes, AFMA Box 7051, Canberra BC, Canberra, ACT 2610 or by email to sally.weekes@afma.gov.au by 15 May 2013. Please note that if you are an existing RAG member you will need to re-apply.

For further information please contact Sally Weekes on (02) 6225 5341 or sally.weekes@afma.gov.au, or Beth Gibson on (02) 6225 5305 or beth.gibson@afma.gov.au.

Please note that AFMA intends to appoint members to Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSFRAG) following the appointment of the other RAGs operating in the SESSF. Membership of Northern Prawn Fishery RAG will be extended to enable it to deal with remaining matters concerning the possible introduction of quota into that fishery.

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AFMA is calling for nominations for members and invited participants for the South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC). Appointments to these positions will be for a period of up to three years.

MACs are expert stakeholder forums where strategic management issues are discussed, problems identified and possible solutions developed. MACs provide advice directly to the AFMA Commission on matters concerning strategic management and policy matters relevant to Commonwealth fisheries. SEMAC is responsible for matters relating to the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), Southern Squid Jig Fishery and Small Pelagic Fishery. GABMAC is responsible for advice relating to the GAB Trawl Sector of the SESSF.

Nominations are sought for various positions including: Industry, Research and where relevant to the fishery, Conservation/Environment, State Government and Recreational/Charter positions. Please note that if you are an existing member or invited participant you will need to re-apply.

Application forms for Industry positions can be obtained from Sally Weekes on (02) 6225 5341 or sally.weekes@afma.gov.au , or Beth Gibson on (02) 6225 5305 or beth.gibson@afma.gov.au.

For all other positions applicants should provide their CV by mail to Sally Weekes at AFMA, Box 7051, Canberra BC, Canberra, ACT 2610 or by email at the above address.  Applications close 15 May 2013.

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Left: Mr. Kizo Matsumoto, General Manager, Sea Food Department, Food Merchandizing Planning Division
Middle:  Annie Jarrett CEO NPF Industry Pty Ltd
Right: Mr. Kunihiko Hisaki, President, Aeon Global Merchandising Co. Ltd.

More than 200 shoppers and journalists turned out to celebrate retail giant Aeon Japan’s launch of Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified tiger prawns at the Aeon Lake Town supermarket  ‘Australian Food Fair’ in Koshigaya City, on 16th March.  The Australian Minister-Counsellor to Japan Mr Paul Ross, Trade Commissioner Ms Sally Phillips, and CEO of the NPF Industry Pty Ltd,  Annie Jarrett, were guest speakers at the opening ceremony of the Fair. Kozo Ishii and Michiko Makino,  MSC Japan,  also joined in the celebrations.

Annie Jarrett said the launch of MSC certified tiger prawns at the Fair provided a unique opportunity to highlight the NPF’s sustainability credentials and the benefits of eating the  highest quality tiger prawns, produced from the well-managed, unpolluted, pristine waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

“Japan has been the NPF’s most important customer and export market for tiger prawns for over 30 years. To have the opportunity to showcase our MSC certified tiger prawns at the launch was an exciting and historic development in our long relationship. Consumers world-wide are increasingly shopping for sustainable choices, including in Japan, where consumer interest in, and demand for, MSC certified seafood products is growing. Aeon is leading the way in making sustainable seafood, including NPF MSC certified prawns, available to Japanese consumers.

Aeon’s Australian Food Fair is a great initiative. It features dozens of Australian products including seafood, meat, wine and cheese through in-store displays, promotional materials, cooking demonstrations and ‘lucky shopper’ prizes over a four week period. It was fantastic to see the plethora of Australian products, and in particular our NPF MSC certified prawns, being promoted to Japanese consumers in this way.” said Ms Jarrett.

For more information please contact Annie Jarrett, CEO of NPF Industry Pty Ltd, on 0411 426 469 or annie.jarrett@bigpond.com.

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AFMA Senior Fisheries Officer Scott Clementz  (third from the left) alongside the crew of the Palauan Pacific Class Patrol Boat PSS President H.I Remelik

AFMA is continuing the fight on illegal fishing with an AFMA fisheries officer placed onboard a Palauan patrol vessel, PSS PRESIDENT H.I. REMELIIK, as part of a multi-national operation ‘Rai Balang’.

The aim of these operations is to promote regional monitoring, control and surveillance coordination, and cooperation to combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity.
The operation covered a vast area which included the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and adjacent high seas areas surrounding the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Patrol vessels from these Pacific island countries and the United States Coast Guard engaged in surface surveillance and inspection activities. The operation was further supported by a joint operational command center located in Pohnpei with surveillance flights from Australian and American aircraft.

The REMELIIK patrolled over 1,400 nautical miles of the Palauan EEZ, and conducted inspections onboard 8 commercial longline fishing vessels which were targeting bigeye and yellowfin tuna.  The vessels were found to be in compliance with their Palauan license conditions which included a prohibition on the taking of shark and shark product.

For more information please contact Cindy Bravos, Manager International Operations on 08 8943 0355 or cindy.bravos@afma.gov.au.

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AFMA offers flexible payment options for those who are not able to pay their levies by the due dates. If you would like to know more about these arrangements please contact AFMA Licensing on 6225 5555 before the due date.

Levies are used by AFMA to cover the costs of developing and implementing management arrangements, collect data and run Management Advisory Committees (MACs).

For more information please contact Simone Pont, Licensing Policy on 02 6225 5343 or email licensing@amfa.gov.au

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Photo of Pineapple sea cucumber courtesy of Rhys Swain Community Enterprises Australia – Thursday Island

With the price for dried sea cucumber fetching up to $500US per kilo it is little wonder that interest in the Torres Strait Sea Cucumber Fishery is again on the rise.

Catches of Sea Cucumber (or ‘slugs’ to many fishers) in the Torres Strait peaked in the mid 1990s and many high value species such as black teatfish and sandfish were fished down to low levels in the absence of effective management controls. Fishing for these species has since been prohibited.

Recent surveys funded by AFMA and conducted by CSIRO show that these overexploited species are now recovering and are capable of supporting a sustainable harvest.

There are more than 1000 species of sea cucumber in the world’s oceans, but only 20 of these are commercially important in the Pacific region. Six of these are found in the Torres Strait and fishers harvest these species mainly to supply Chinese markets.

Sea Cucumber has been harvested in the Torres Strait for well over 100 years. AFMA works to promote indigenous fishing for sea cucumbers while encouraging sustainable collection of sea cucumber for future generations.

For more information please contact Adam Leatherbarrow, Senior Fisheries Management Officer on 07 4069 1990 or email adam.leatherbarrow@afma.gov.au.

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