Meetings archive

Northern Prawn Fishery

Northern Prawn Fishery Management Advisory Committee (NORMAC)

NORMAC 51 draft minutes

15 - 17 August 200, Fremantle

Attendance

Mr. Brian Jeffriess Chairman
Dr. Ian Poiner Scientific Member
Ms Trysh Stone AFMA Member
Mr. Eddie Hegerl Conservation Member
Mr. David Carter Industry Member
Mr. Efrem Gamba Industry Member
Mr. George Raptis Industry Member
Mr. Ron Earle Industry Member
Mr. Les Lowe Industry Member
Ms Annie Jarrett NORMAC Executive Officer
Apology - Ms Rosemary Lea

Advisers/Observers

Dr. Wendy Craik AFMA
Mr. Frank Meere AFMA
Mr. Bert Boschetti NFCA
Ms Julie Boschetti Latitude Fisheries
Ms. Theresa Lowe NPF(QLD)TA
Mrs. Louise Deacon-Casey NTTOA
Mr. Mike O'Brien A RAPTIS & SONS
Mrs. Cathy Dichmont CSIRO
Mr. Noel Hoschke NPFQTA
Mrs. Cynthia Hoschke NPFQTA
Mr. Fred Taylor Moreton Bay Seafoods
Ms Sue Taylor Moreton Bay Seafoods
Mr. Robert Rose NPFQTA
Mrs. June Rose NPFQTA
Mr. Rick Hale NPFQTA
Mr. Tony LaMacchia NPFQTA
Mr. Bill Deacon NTTOA
Mrs. Rosemary Lowe GNM Chandlery
Mr. Peter Pownall NPFIO
Mr. Ian Boot Austfish
Mr. Clayton Nelson Tiger Fisheries
Mr. Norm Peovitis WA Seafood Producers
Mr Peter Lombardo
Mr Richard Elvin
Mr Lou Pavlovich

Item 1. Adoption of agenda

The chairman opened the meeting at 8.30am welcoming members and tendered apologies from Rosemary Lea and Iain Smith. Mr. Jeffriess welcomed the Chair and Managing Director of AFMA, Dr Craik and Mr. Meere and thanked them for taking the time to attend the meeting; and welcomed Dr. Rick Deriso the stock assessment expert conducting the review into the NPF 2000 tiger prawn assessment.

Mr. Jeffriess advised that NORMAC would be conducted in two sessions, with the first session from 8.30 to 11.00am on Wednesday 15th August and the second from 8.30 to close on Thursday 16th August, with a continuation of the meeting on 17th August if necessary. It was noted that a presentation by Dr. Rick Deriso on the review of the NPF 2000 tiger prawn stock assessment had been scheduled for the first session and that Lisa Chapman from ABARE would be making a short presentation on Thursday. NORMAC agreed to address items 1,2,3 and 7 during the first session with the residual items being addressed in the second session.

NORMAC agreed that an update on the introduction of electronic logbooks would be provided by AFMA under item 4 and that queries from industry in relation to transshipment certificates and breaches of regulations detected by VMS would be discussed under Item 12. A proposal to collect berried bugs for broodstock would be discussed under other business.

NORMAC was advised that AFMA had brought a video made by WWF and the Dhimaru Land Council on marine issues to be viewed by NORMAC if time permitted.

The revised agenda for NORMAC 51 was adopted as proposed.

The chairman sought advice as to whether there had been any change to the registration of interests by NORMAC members. The meeting noted there were no changes and interests were recorded as follows:

Eddie Hegerl - involvement on the Steering Committee of Seanet, a committee of ASIC; the IUCN and the Australian Marine Conservation Society
Dr. Poiner - CSIRO

The specific commercial interests of the industry members of NORMAC were recorded as follows:

Efrem Gamba- A shareholding in a company holding 10 B Class SFRs and a number of gear SFRs; and a holder with a direct interest in gear SFRs
Ron Earle- Owner of 2 Class B SFRs and a number of gear SFRs
George Raptis- Shareholder in 20 Class B's and a number of gear SFRs
Les Lowe- Shareholder in 5 Class B SFRs and a number of gear SFRs
David Carter- CEO of a company holding 9 Class B SFRs and a number of gear SFRs; shareholder in a vessel operating in the NPF

Resolution: That NORMAC approves the agenda as amended and the order of the agenda as proposed

Item 2. Confirmation of record of NORMAC 50

The chairman sought comments on the draft minutes of NORMAC 50. Some minor editorial changes were proposed and Dr. Poiner advised he would provide the wording on turtle captures in the scampi fishery in accordance with the previous meeting's discussion.

NORMAC agreed to formally include an expression of thanks to Katie Johnson from CSIRO in the record of NORMAC 50 for her assistance with the NPF Strategic Plan.

Resolution:That the amended minutes of NORMAC 50 as proposed be adopted

Item 3. Action arising from NORMAC 50

NORMAC noted the action arising from the previous meeting. Queries were raised in relation to the Coburg Marine Park issue and the AFMA member advised that the same information which had been provided had been resent and the meeting which had been scheduled to take place in Darwin had been cancelled. The AFMA member undertook seek the additional information required.

NORMAC noted that there were a number of scientific projects for the NPF which had been recommended for some funding from Environment Australia and members sought clarification on the status of the funding for those projects. Mr. Hegerl advised that a meeting was scheduled with EA for 22 August to discuss the funding/projects and he would report back to NORMAC following those discussions.

Resolution: NORMAC noted the action arising.

Item 4. AFMA management report

NORMAC noted that the review of MACs undertaken by ACIL had been considered by the AFMA Board and a copy of the key recommendations and the Board response to the recommendations was provided to members for information.

It was noted that the current term of appointment of NORMAC members expires at the end of September and that the process for appointing new members had commenced. A ranking and assessment panel comprising the NORMAC chairperson, General Manager of fisheries and one industry person would be appointed to assess the applications for NORMAC membership and to provide advice to the Board. NORMAC members would be contacted to appoint an appropriate industry member to the selection panel.

Industry members of NORMAC requested AFMA to provide a copy of the Register of Interest for MAC Chairs.

The AFMA member provided a report on the pre-season group briefings which took place before the banana prawn season indicating they were very successful with representatives from 97 vessels attending. The format of the briefing included information on EPBC requirements, bycatch limits, new logbook arrangements, new closures arrangements, and the two week TED banana prawn project. The AFMA member advised that the response to the group bookings by those who attended was very positive, with only one person preferring the previous arrangements over the group briefing approach.

It was noted that the total travel costs of the group briefings was $13,898, compared to the costs of the Possession Island/Darwin briefings of approximately $48,000. AFMA believes the group bookings are more effective and cost efficient and should be continued. NORMAC supported this approach.

NORMAC received a report on the MIRF funded study on the effects of using TEDs when targeting banana prawns which was conducted in the first two weeks of the banana prawn fishery. The report indicated that the use of TEDs had little impact banana prawn catches and effectively excluded large animal bycatch including turtles and it was proposed that in the future, the use of TEDs on each net be mandatory during fishing seasons. NORMAC supported the proposal.

Concerns were expressed by industry members of NORMAC regarding the Acumen report on outsourcing the NPF log book program. Areas of concern related to the lack of consultation by Acumen with key people in the fishery, the lack of rationale for the outcomes of the report, and that some of the recommendations contained in the report had previously been instigated by NORMAC eg the proposed closure of the Cairns office. It was noted that recommendation in the Acumen report to cut costs on field collection of log books had been made redundant by the pre-season group briefings approach introduced in the fishery in 2001.

Queries were raised in relation to monies which had been spent on introducing electronic log books into the fishery and it was noted that AFMA is currently involved in a joint project with SETFIA on electronic log books in the SEF which is being partially funded through the National Heritage Trust fund. NORMAC considered the introduction of electronic log books for the fishery as a priority which needed to be addressed. NORMAC noted that the management costs committee would continue to follow these issues up with AFMA with a view to resolving them in the future.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC notes the AFMA Management Report
That AFMA is requested to provide NORMAC members with a copy of the Register of Interest of MAC Chairs
That NORMAC supports the continuation of the banana prawn season group briefings for 2002
That NORMAC supports the mandatory use of TEDs on each net during all fishing seasons for the NPF

Item 5. Amending the NPF Management Plan

NORMAC considered a revised discussion paper on the proposal to amend the NPF Management Plan to allow for the total amount of gear in the fishery to be made by Determination, rather than through amending the Plan. NORMAC noted that the majority of NORMAC members had agreed to this approach out of session, and that only outstanding item was the issue of the time frame and processes surrounding the consultative process to be undertaken in amending the total amount of gear to be used in the fishery.

The proposed process would involve consideration by SFR holders, interested parties and NORMAC of the proposed level of gear to be used, a decision by the AFMA Board, no changes to gear to be implemented in mid-season and a minimum of 2 months notice before any changes came into effect, and the tabling of the Determination in both Houses of Parliament. NORMAC noted that the consultation process proposed is consistent with that which is undertaken in other fisheries where adjustments to fishing effort are made by Determination.

It was noted that the issue of strategic assessment for amendments to the Plan was still unclear and although AG's advice to AFMA was that an amendment to a Plan did not trigger strategic assessment, AFMA was trying to ascertain whether EA shared that view.

NORMAC noted that in order to meet the deadline agreed to by NPFIO and NORMAC that any necessary adjustment would take place at the start of the 2002 season, it would be necessary for the AFMA Board to approve the draft amendment immediately so that the draft amendment could be sent out for public consultation.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC members unanimously support the amendment to the NPF management plan, and the proposed consultative process, that will allow the total length of gear in the NPF to be set by determination in the future
That NORMAC recommends that the Chair write to the Board seeking approval for the amendment to the Plan for consideration at the next Board meeting

Item 6. NPFAG report/Deriso Review

NORMAC received a report from the NPFAG on the status of tiger prawn stocks in the fishery in the year 2000 The FAG report indicated that the current biomass of brown tiger prawns is well below abundance levels characteristic of the early 1970's and conclusively below levels (SMSY) that support maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The FAG indicated that current biomass of grooved tiger prawns is also below SMSY abundance levels that support MSY but not as depleted as brown tiger prawns.

AFMA had commissioned an independent review of the assessment by Dr. Rick Deriso, an international stock assessment expert. Dr. Deriso consulted with CSIRO, AFMA and NPF industry through a series of port meetings during the review. In presenting his report to NORMAC 51, Dr Deriso confirmed that the NPF tiger prawn assessment is probably the most comprehensive assessments of any prawn populations in the world but that the assessment is based on limited data and some results exhibit a large degree of uncertainty. Dr. Deriso indicated that new types of data are needed and current work needs to continue on the revision of the stock assessment method and interpretation of input data.

The review by Deriso supported the general conclusion of the Northern Prawn Fishery Assessment Group (NPFAG) that current biomass of brown tiger prawns is well below abundance levels characteristic of the early 1970's and conclusively below levels (SMSY) that support maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Current biomass of grooved tiger prawns is also likely below SMSY abundance levels that support MSY, but not as depleted as the brown tiger prawn population. It was noted that Dr. Deriso had proposed that in accordance with world practice, EMSY should be limit reference point, not a target.

NORMAC commended both the NPFAG and Dr. Deriso on the work which had been undertaken on the 2000 tiger prawn assessment and thanked Dr. Deriso for his report.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC notes the NPFAG 2000 Tiger Prawn Assessment and commends the group on the work which had gone into the assessment and the comprehensive assessment report.
That NORMAC receives the report on the review of the NPF 2000 tiger prawn assessment conducted by Dr. Rick Deriso of the Inter-American Tuna Commission at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, USA and expresses its appreciation to Dr. Deriso for a comprehensive review

Item 7. Effort reduction on tiger prawns

In considering appropriate management responses to the issues raised in the NPFAG and Deriso reports, NORMAC agreed that the primary objective is to rebuild brown and grooved tiger prawn stocks to SMSY within 5 years (by the end of 2006) and that this would require a significant reduction in fishing effort. It was agreed that due to the uncertainty in the stock assessment model and the state of the stocks, a high level of precaution should be adopted in addressing the problem. NORMAC agreed that it needed to take a long term approach with checks and balances in place to ensure that targets are reached, appropriate fishery independent data is collected and regular reviews of milestones are undertaken. NORMAC agreed that to rebuild the brown tiger prawns stocks by the target date, effort reduction on brown tigers needed to be between 35-45% and that a significant reduction in effort on grooved tiger prawns also needed to be implemented.

It was noted in discussion that whilst there was a need to balance effort and sustainability and that the prime objective at this time is to rebuild the stocks, the MAC also needed to take account of all of AFMA's legislative objectives when making its recommendations to the Board, including the economic efficiency objective.

NORMAC noted there were several options available for achieving effort reduction and developed a strategy comprising reduced fis30 June, 2005mented for the commencement of the 2002 fishing season to reduce fishing effort on both species of tiger prawns. To this end unanimously NORMAC resolved that the 2001 banana prawn season be implemented from 1 April to 13 May and the tiger prawn season be implemented from 1 September to 1 December. Additional adjustment would be implemented through a 25% reduction in gear to be implemented on 1 April 2002. It should be noted that the 25% reduction will be on the amount of gear to be used, not on the number of gear units held ie the amount of gear allocated to each gear unit will be reduced from 10 cm per Gear SFR to 7.5 cm per Gear SFR, rather than a reduction in the total number of gear units.

It is estimated that this package of measures would provide a reduction in the order of 43% on brown tiger prawns and 29% on grooved tiger prawns assuming that 10 boats left the fishery as a result of the reduction in gear. The model was used to confirm that this level of effort reduction would be sufficient to meet the target.

NORMAC recognised that the package will impose some economic impediments as a result of the increased closures however it was agreed that a mix of measures to reduce effort were required to ensure certainty the target would be reached in 5 years.

In determining milestones and performance measures for the fishery, NORMAC agreed that from 2002 and thereafter (annually) NORMAC will use the NPFAG accepted assessment model to estimate the performance of the previous years stock relative to spawner target levels. The agreed target is a 70+% chance that the spawner population at the end of 2006 will be above or at spawner target levels. NORMAC will utilise the advice of the NPFAG (majority) to provide the advice to assess performance against the target. If the agreed target is not projected to be reached NORMAC will recommend appropriate effort adjustment measures in the interim. It was noted that in 2002 the assessment will only be able to address fishing power changes.

NORMAC resolved that to address recommendations emanating from the Deriso review, an annual in-season fishery independent survey be initiated in 2002. The survey will be fishery independent survey during the fishing season of an appropriate subset of the NPF fishing grounds to estimate and monitor:

prawn abundance in fished and non-fished areas;
fishing power; and,
other key biological data eg species split data

NORMAC proposed that the scope of the survey design should be developed by the NPFAG and that this be funded out of MIRF. It was noted that additional funding will be required to undertake the survey work.

NORMAC noted that the target date for the reduction in gear to take place in April 2002 will be subject to the proposed amendment to the NPF Management Plan to allow adjustments to be made to the amount of gear in the fishery through Determination being completed before the election. NORMAC agreed that it would be appropriate for the NORMAC Chair and NPF manager to visit key ports to explain the recommendations of NORMAC on the effort reduction measures to be implemented.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC unanimously acknowledges the need to reduce effort on brown tigers by between 35-45% and that a significant reduction in effort on grooved tiger prawns is required to rebuild grooved tiger prawn stocks
That NORMAC unanimously agrees that to pursue the proposed reduction in effort on tiger prawns a combination of increased seasonal closures and a reduction in gear is to be implemented being:
the 2002 banana prawn season be implemented from 1 April to 13 May and the tiger prawn season be implemented from 1 September to 1 December
the implementation of a 25% reduction in gear on 1 April 2002

That NORMAC unanimously agrees that the target is a 70+% chance that the spawner population at the end of 2006 will be above or at spawner target levels. NORMAC will utilise the advice of the NPFAG (majority) to provide the advice to assess performance against the target. If the agreed target is not projected to be reached NORMAC will recommend appropriate effort adjustment measures in the interim.

That NORMAC unanimously approves the commencement in 2002 of an annual in-season fishery independent survey to estimate and monitor prawn abundance in fished and non-fished areas; fishing power; and other key biological data eg species split data

That NORMAC endorses the proposal for the NORMAC Chair and NPF manager to visit key ports to explain the recommendations of NORMAC on the effort reduction measures

Item 8. Bycatch implications of landing wet prawns

NORMAC was advised that with large banana catches taken during the first season approximately 54 tonnes of wet banana prawns were landed directly into Karumba.

As the catches had not been sorted there were some bycatch species mixed in, mainly shark. While the catches of these species were very low, operators were in breach of the Directions and could have been prosecuted. It is also possible that breaches to the bug size limits could also inadvertently occur.

Strict enforcement of the Directions would mean that unsorted wet prawns would not be landed by operators in the future. NORMAC agreed the bycatch issue needed to be addressed without impacting on the ability of operators to unload wet prawns, at the same time preserving the integrity of the bycatch limits.

Resolution: That Trysh Stone and Michael O'Brien liaise to develop an appropriate Direction to address the bycatch/unloading of wet prawns issue.

Item 9. Research & Environment sub-committee

NORMAC received a report from the NORMAC Research & Environment Sub-committee which addressed the following issues:

Developing NPF research proposals for 2001/02 for submission to AFMA, ARF, FRRF and MIRF;
Preliminary analyses of Moreton Bay Bugs in the NPF;
Research funding - increasing the NPF contribution to FRDC;
Monitoring the Gulf of Carpentaria roadsteads for heavy metal analysis from prawns;
Detection of White Spot Syndrome Virus in Australian aquaculture prawns; and,
World Congress on Aquatic Protected Areas 2002

NORMAC noted that eleven pre-proposals were submitted to the REC for evaluation (Table 1). Each proposals was ranked by NORMAC REC members as high (1), medium (2) or low priority taking into account completed and ongoing research in the NPF and the research needs of the fishery as documented in the NPF 2000 Research Plan, draft Bycatch Action Plan (BAP), draft strategic assessment of the NPF; recommendations from the mid-year "at-sea research" workshop (Cairns, June 2000); and the recommendations of the FAG.

The REC proposed that Principal Investigator's develop the recommended projects into full proposals for consideration and ranking by the REC on behalf of NORMAC in late September, noting that full proposals for 2001/02 are to be submitted to AFMA by 1 October 2001 for consideration by the AFMA Research Committee.

The REC provided a preliminary analyses of Moreton Bay Bugs in the NPF, July 2001 prepared by D. J. Vance, B. R. Taylor, R. C. Pendrey (CSIRO Marine Research) and A.E. Raptis & Sons on behalf of the REC. Several samples of bugs caught in the NPF during the first fishing season, 2001 were provided to CSIRO for analysis.

One group of samples was processed at A. E. Raptis & Sons factory in Brisbane and consisted of 12 cartons of bugs supplied to Raptis as commercial product. The other group consisted of four samples of bugs, including under-sized bugs, collected by Gary Day (AMC) and another NPF operator under permit from AFMA. These four samples were shipped to CSIRO, Cleveland for processing.

A total of 1042 bugs were identified, sexed and measured, and 97.7% of these were the mud bug (T. indicus). In only one of the samples did the reef bug (T. orientalis) make up more than 10% of the catch (Table 2). In the commercial samples, 62.4% of the mud bugs were females, whereas in the samples that included under-sized bugs only 30.4% were females. A Carapace Length to Carapace Width relationship has been developed for these samples.

NORMAC noted that as the tiger prawn fishery mostly operates in slightly different areas with different substrate types it is possible that the species mix of bugs may be different in the tiger prawn fishery. NORMAC endorsed the REC proposal to gather more data during the tiger prawn season.

NORMAC50 agreed that the NPF contribution to FRDC be increased. NORMAC noted the progress made by Mike O'Brien and Ian Poiner in discussions with FRDC and AFMA to develop an agreement with FRDC to increase the NPF contribution to FRDC by $100K/year for an initial 3 years conditional on a minimum return of 2:1 to the NPF on the increased contribution and that guarantees that the projects funded by the extra $200K available are NORMAC initiated research. It was noted that the agreement has been approved by the FRDC Board and signed by Peter Dundas-Smith on behalf of FRDC but that AFMA will not sign the agreement on behalf of NORMAC until it has been approved by AFFA. It was noted that discussions were continuing and the REC would report on progress out of session.

NORMAC was advised that the REC had negotiated an agreed project with Pasminco in relation to heavy metal sampling in the area of the Karumba roadstead and that an MOU was currently with AFMA awaiting signature. However but sampling and sample processing proceeded for 2001 at the end first half of the 2001 season. There were some minor "teething" problems with sampling, storage and transportation of prawns that will be rectified in 2002 but overall the project is progressing as planned. Dr Malcolm Haddon and Ian Poiner will complete a draft report for discussion with Pasminco by the end of September 2001 and this will be circulated to NORMAC for consideration and comment.

The preliminary results indicate concentrations of the heavy metals Zinc, Copper, Cadmium, and Lead, were all relatively low in the prawn tail-meats tested. Concentrations of the heavy metals Zinc, Copper, Cadmium, and Lead, were all relatively high in the prawn hepatopancreas tissue tested. There was no consistent pattern or concentration gradient relating to the heavy metals tested and the sites from which they were collected.

NORMAC noted the REC plans to initiate discussions with MIM in October/November 2001 to develop a similar project to monitor the MacArthur River Mine roadstead using the Pasminco experience as a model.

NORMAC endorsed a proposal to provide samples of prawn species in the NPF to establish whether the White Spot Syndrome The design of the sampling is currently being negotiated with AFFA (Dr Iain East).

The REC advised that the inaugural World Congress on Aquatic Protected Areas will be held in Cairns in 2002.The Congress will be a landmark meeting bringing together the world's Aquatic Protected Areas researchers, managers, conservationists and users. NORMAC agreed that the REC should investigate potential opportunities (eg stand, presentation) for the NPF to profile its environmental credentials. Mr. Hegerl advised that the IUCN was organising a larger conference in South Africa the following year which could provide NORMAC with another opportunity to make a presentation.

Discussion took place on the need to collect size and species composition data on tiger prawns as part of reducing uncertainty in the stock assessment. It was noted that size and species data was previously collected on a voluntary basis and was discontinued as few operators entered the data in the log books. NORMAC agreed that the collection of size and specie composition of tiger prawns should be made mandatory and resolved that the log book program should be amended to include this data.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC authorises the Research and Environment Sub-committee to seek the development of full proposals for further consideration by the REC for the research projects ranked 1 in its 2001/02 list of priorities, and that the recommendations of the Deriso report be incorporated into these priorities .
That NORMAC supports the continued monitoring of Moreton Bay bugs in the second NPF fishing season in 2001
That NORMAC supports the proposal to investigate opportunities and costs of NPF participation at the 2002 World Congress on Aquatic Protected Areas .
That the collection of size and specie composition of tiger prawns be re-introduced and that the NPF log book design should be amended to record this data.

Item 9.1 Bycatch action plan

NORMAC noted that the second draft NPF Bycatch Action Plan had been circulated for public comment and that comments had been received which needed to be addressed. NORMAC agreed that comments in relation to targets, benthic issues and the codes of practice were relevant and should be addressed. It was noted that some of the confidentiality arrangements relating to the release of fishery data were impacting on the way the Action Plan was written. NORMAC sought a paper from Trysh Stone and Ian Poiner on how these could be addressed. NORMAC members agreed to respond to the comments received in relation to the Bycatch Action Plan by the end of August.

Resolution: That NORMAC notes the comments received in relation to the draft NPF Bycatch Action Plan and members will respond to AFMA on the comments by the end of August

Item 9.2 Strategic Assessment

NORMAC received the first draft strategic assessment report prepared by AFMA. It was recognised that considerable work had gone into preparing the document but a number of areas required further attention. NORMAC agreed that the document needed to be convincing in relation to areas such as the effectiveness of the compliance program, the research which had been undertaken on alternative fishing methods, the impact of other activities on the marine environment ie mining, farming etc. It was agreed that the document should specifically recognise the need to work with other users and community groups to implement mechanisms for protecting the marine ecosystem. It was noted that industry members of NORMAC recommend that a professional editor with environment and fisheries expertise be engaged to work with the AFMA environmental section on the preparation of the publication for printing with particular emphasis on style and accurate historical information about the fishery. NORMAC members agreed to provide AFMA with comments on the draft document by the end of August.

Resolutions: That NORMAC notes the document and members will provide comments on the draft by 31 August 2001

Item 10. Proposed closure sub-committee's procedures

NORMAC considered a discussion paper on appropriate protocols for the NORMAC Closures-sub-committee and agreed that the committee should continue as a sub-committee of the MAC. It was agreed there is a need to review the existing closures, including establishing the basis for their initial implementation and that the review should be funded from MIRF. NORMAC supported the development by the committee of a set of indicators and decision rules against which future proposals would be considered. Any future closure proposals should be addressed to the NPF manager who will refer them to the closures sub-committee and industry associations. The NORMAC REC will also consult with the closures committee when determining annual research priorities.

NORMAC approved a proposed new timetable for closures being that all proposals from industry should be received by AFMA by the end of the second seasons. AFMA will distribute the proposals to Associations and comments will be due back by 11 January. The committee will meet on 4 February and then provide its recommendations to NORMAC. A second meeting may be held in Darwin in the mid year closure if necessary. The change to the timing of the end of year meeting will mean that the NPF Information book will not be available until March each year.

NORMAC agreed there was a need to review the closures in place and to collate the reason for their implementation and that this should be undertaken by the closures committee. NORMAC recommended that the cost of the review should be funded from the NORMAC MIRF.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC notes the report
That NORMAC endorses the recommendations with the exception of recommendation 7
That a review of NPF closures be undertaken through the Closures committee and funded out of MIRF

Item 11. Management costs sub-committee report

NORMAC received a report from the Management Costs sub-committee noting that there were a number of issues in relation to the NPF Information book, the publication of annual rainfall data and the NPF data summary which required resolution.

NORMAC agreed that the NPF Information Book should be made available to skippers and owners on compact disc and also in hard copy.

NORMAC queried the costs and process associated with processing the data summary and requested AFMA management to provide a report on this, including the potential to further automate the process to reduce costs.

Discussion took place need to continue providing the annual rainfall report. It was agreed that, as the rainfall information was available from the Met bureau and on the Web, the report should be discontinued.

NORMAC agreed to continue the process of cross checking against processor returns as a means of verifying log book data.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC notes the report
That the NPF annual rainfall reports be discontinued
That the NPF Information Book be made available to SFR holders and skippers in both hard copy and on compact disc
That AFMA Management provide a report on the costs and process associated with printing the NPF data summary

Item 12. Compliance report

NORMAC received a report on compliance undertaken in the fishery, including the objectives of the 2000/2001 NPF Compliance Operational Plan, activities which had been undertaken during the year, and the costs of the program. It was noted that the compliance approach concentrated on four main programs being the gear monitoring program, the closures program, a VMS start to replace the Assembly program in the banana prawn season, and the administration program involving the inspection of log books and bycatch monitoring.

NORMAC queried the method of monitoring catches of byproducts and the effectiveness of the process given that it does not capture any transshipments other than on to a mothership. It was agreed that there was a need to improve data on take of byproduct and it was proposed that one method could be to include byproducts in the processor returns. NORMAC agreed that David Carter and Trysh Stone would liaise on the best method for improving byproduct information and advise NORMAC accordingly.

The AFMA Manager was asked to advise who is responsible (the skipper or owner) when a prosecution is launched against a trawler detected for an alleged breach of regulations by the Vessel Monitoring System, with industry members expressing concern that skippers could breach the regulations without the knowledge of the SFR holder. The AFMA member advised that under the legislation the responsibility for all activities in relation to the use of SFRs rested with the holder of the SFR. It was agreed that AFMA management would provide a brief in relation to responsibilities in this area.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC notes the report
That Trysh Stone and David Carter liaise to establish the most effective method for monitoring catches of byproducts in the NPF and report to NORMAC
Seasonal landings returns are slow - need to be encouraged to hasten these.
That AFMA Management provide advice on the persons responsible when breaches of regulations occur

Item 13. Native title

NORMAC received a report on native title issues, noting that the decision on the Croker Island Native Claim had been reserved by the High court with an outcome expected later in the year.

Resolution: That NORMAC notes the report

Item 14. Other Business

NORMAC noted that AFMA had received a proposal for the issue of a scientific permit to collect berried bugs in NPF for broodstock. The proposal was from a research and development company which wanted to collect 500 berried bugs in the first instance using NPF trawlers, with a total of 1100 berried bugs collected per year for three years. NORMAC noted that the proposal had a number of deficiencies which needed addressing before a scientific permit should be issued.

There was also the item about the fishing crew boats that landed on one of the English Company Islands and had a picnic on a burial ground. NORMAC expressed regret at the unfortunate occurrence and members undertook to remind skippers about the need to respect Aboriginal sites.

NORMAC received a verbal report from Lisa Chapman at ABARE on the analysis of impacts of the move to gear unit management which arose from the Senate Inquiry into the NPF Amendment. Industry members of NORMAC queried some of the assumptions contained in model used in the project and requested ABARE to review some of the assumptions before progressing the project. NORMAC noted that a written report was being prepared and would be provided to NORMAC in draft form for comment before being the report was published.

The Chairman indicated that it was the last meeting of the current NORMAC and sought comments from Mr. Meere. Mr. Meere expressed appreciation to NORMAC members for their contribution to the management of the NPF during their term of appointment. He stated that NORMAC members should be congratulated for their maturity in addressing the difficult issues, in particular the need for further effort reduction in the fishery, and that the Board and AFMA management appreciated the contribution of members.

Mr. Jeffriess thanked members for their contribution during the last year and wished all members well in the future. NORMAC members expressed appreciation to the Chairman during his term and presented him with a small gift in recognition of his commitment to the MAC. The meeting closed at 2.30pm.

Resolutions:

That NORMAC approves the grant of a Scientific permit for the collection of 500 berried bugs provided that the reports on the project include species specific information, that the totals are to be NPF specific, and that the minimise size issue is addressed
That further permits would be granted only if a report on species, size and location of the collection was provided to AFMA and NORMAC at the end of the season
That NORMAC notes the verbal report from ABARE and the need for a number of assumptions used in the model to be reviewed

Page last updated 25 May, 2005