Industry and Government working for our fishing future

1 May 2008

A 12 month trial of new fisheries management and administrative arrangements is being held at Lakes Entrance, the largest source of supply of fresh fish to the Melbourne Wholesale Fish Market.

The aim of the trial is for AFMA and industry to work together in designing and testing a shared approach to fisheries management and administration.  Co-management involves more decision making and greater responsibility for the fishing industry and more innovation and flexibility from AFMA.

Glenn Hurry, Managing Director of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) said that the trial at Lakes Entrance will run from 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009.

‘This trial is an exciting opportunity for AFMA and the fishers at Lakes Entrance to show other parts of industry that by working together we can enjoy a sustainable fishing future’.

‘The trial gives us an opportunity to simplify regulation and business practices and improve the relationship between AFMA and industry’, said Glenn.

Any Commonwealth endorsed fishers in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, who operate from Lakes Entrance can take part in the trial.

A briefing session at Lakes Entrance was held on 1 May 2008 which provided details of the trial. The trial was officially started by Peter Clarke, Chairman of the Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative Society and Paul Murphy, AFMA’s Operations General Manager. A host of other fishers who are taking part in the trial were also present including Ted Jones from the Lakes Entrance Danish Seine Unit Trust.

Co-management of Commonwealth fisheries is supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.

Statement ends/1 May 2008
Contact: Nigel Catchlove, Communications, Mobile: 0407 180 170

Page last updated 1 May, 2008