Volume 2, Issue 20, 10 October 2005
A secure future now closer for shark fishers
AFMA has welcomed a decision from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) which will see shark fishers in the Commonwealth Southern and Eastern Shark and Scalefish Fishery move one step closer to being allocated secure fishing rights. Under the fishery’s management plan, AFMA grants statutory fishing rights to operators. Statutory fishing rights replace the annual fishing permits which fishers were required to renew each year.
The AAT decision rejected a challenge to the formula which is used to allocate how much catch (quota) each fisher has been allocated. The AAT found that the quota system used in the fishery is the ‘preferable way to allocate quota’. The AAT also found that the assessment of the stock was reasonable and that the total allowable catches in the fishery were the appropriate and preferable quantities.
AFMA’s Managing Director, Richard McLoughlin, said that AFMA is now one step closer to granting statutory fishing rights and ensuring a secure future for fishers and the fishery.
“AFMA, and the majority of fishers, are keen to get on with the job of ensuring a secure and sustainable future for fishers and the fishery. Once the fishing rights have been allocated, operators will be able to buy and sell variable amounts of shark quota freely. This means industry members will be able to finally enjoy the full benefits of quota management,“ he said.
THIS EDITION... |
Secure future for fishers |
Just a reminder that the AFMA Board will hold its Annual Public Meeting in Adelaide on Friday 21 October 2005. The public meeting will be held at: 10:30am – 12:30pm on 21 October at Conference Room 2, Rendezvous Allegra Hotel, 55 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. An informal gathering with the AFMA Board will also be held at 5:00pm – 6:30pm on Thursday 20 October 2005 at Lounge 55, Ground Floor, Rendezvous Allegra Hotel, 55 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. If you are interested in joining the Board for the annual public meeting, or public gathering, please advise Milica Milanja at AFMA on (02) 6272 4923, AFMA Direct 1300 723 621 or email milica.milanja@ |
Western Deepwater Trawl and North West Slope (WestMAC): WestMAC Annual Public Meeting: For more details and agenda papers for upcoming MAC meetings, please check AFMA’s website at www.afma.gov.au/ |
Proposed changes to the meaning of AFMA's objectives
The Australian Government has proposed legislative changes to clarify the meaning of two important objectives underpinning decision-making in Commonwealth fisheries.
Fisheries and Conservation Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, said the first objective - maximising economic efficiency - would be reworded in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 as 'maximising the net economic returns to the Australian community from the management of Commonwealth fisheries'.
"The principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD), consistent with those expressed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, will also be included in both Acts," Senator Macdonald said.
"The proposed changes mean that AFMA will still need to take into account a range of environmental and economic factors, but will also need to consider social and equity issues as well. "What we're doing is changing the wording to clarify the intent of the objective to provide greater certainty for all stakeholders”, he said.
Senator Macdonald said his department would be consulting with industry on the proposed amendments in the coming weeks.
Charges laid against Master of FV Taruman
After investigation, AFMA has laid charges of illegal fishing against the Master and Fishing Master of the foreign fishing vessel FV Taruman. Enough evidence was uncovered to ensure the two crewmen face charges under the Australian Fisheries Management Act.
The vessel was suspected of operating illegally in the remote Macquarie Island Exclusive Economic Zone and boarded in early September. The boarding took place in international waters approximately 720 nautical miles (1,333 kilometres) north, north west of Macquarie Island, 660 nautical miles (1,200 kilometres) south of Hobart. Officers from the Customs and Fisheries patrol vessel Oceanic Viking escorted the 76 metre fishing vessel to Hobart for further examination.
Investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying 143 tonnes of the valuable Patagonian toothfish; the catch will be subject to tender at a later date.
Looking for quota?
You should now be aware the AFMA website includes Quotaboard, a new online trading classifieds board allowing you to browse or advertise Commonwealth Statutory Fishing Rights (SFR’s) or permits.
Access is at your fingertips, with all registrations also conducted online. If you find an advertisement you like, simply contact the advertiser via private message or you can choose to place an advertisement yourself.
Initial response to Quotaboard has been tremendous with a number of advertisements placed and all feedback extremely positive. Current offers include spotted warehou and mirror dory for lease and blue eye trevalla and squid for sale.
For further information please visit Quotaboard at http://www.quotaboard.afma.gov.au/.
$1.2 million secured to continue ecosystem based fisheries management
AFMA has entered into an agreement to continue the Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) project, securing $1.2 million for 2005-2006 from the Australian Government National Heritage Trust (NHT) fund. Through this project AFMA will continue the activities of ecological risk assessments, enhancing data collection and improving communication and extension services.
In addition, AFMA is initiating a number of new activities through the EBFM project, including hosting EBFM workshops in major ports, supporting the integration of AFMA’s databases, supporting a public communication program to raise awareness and understanding of EBFM efforts in AFMA fisheries within the broader Australian public, and supporting the scalefish trends and mapping in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fisheries (SESSF) project.
For more information on this project please contact Tim Smith, AFMA Environment Policy Section on (02) 6272 5631, AFMA Direct 1300 723 621 or email tim.smith@afma.gov.au.
