Important message for AFMA Update subscribers

If you have not received the last few copies of AFMA Update, you may not have subscribed to our new communications service and may be missing out on important fisheries management information. In particular, you may not have received information on the recently announced Australian government’s $220M Securing our Fishing Future adjustment package.

If you wish to continue to receive the AFMA Update including updates on the implementation of the $220M adjustment package, please subscribe online at http://www.afma.gov.au/information/subscriptions/. If you do not have web access, or are having difficulty subscribing please contact AFMA Direct on 1300 723 621 and we will ensure that you continue to receive the AFMA Update.

In the meantime, should you want more information on the package, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on their hotline (02) 6272 5363. For information on AFMA’s new catch/effort limits, please visit our website or contact AFMA Direct on 1300 723 621.

ETBF - Trial of monitoring device - volunteers sought

AFMA is keen to hear from Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery operators willing to participate in the trialling of drum and clip/video monitoring equipment. AFMA is examining a range of options to ensure that a cost effective effort monitoring system can be implemented for the commencement of fishing under the newly determined ETBF Management Plan 2005.

It is anticipated that sea trials will commence in mid-January 2006 using “off-the-shelf” drum monitoring and video surveillance equipment. Concurrently with these trials AFMA will be talking to suppliers about developing and manufacturing a purpose built drum monitor which will better meet AFMA’s current and future needs.

These trials will involve four vessels fishing full-time, that is, for at least 40 days over a two month period and will be chosen from different ports. The trials will have minimal impact on the participating vessels with installers requiring access to vessels for approximately two hours. The equipment to be installed is relatively small and will not impact on the operation of the vessel.

Operators interested in participating in these trials should contact either Bob Stanley on (02) 6272 5416 or Viki O’Brien on (02) 6272 5388.

Delays to the SFR grant process under the ETBF Management Plan

AFMA has decided to defer the grant of Statutory Fishing Rights (SFRs) under the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2005, until further information is released on how the fishing concession buy-out, announced by Senator Ian Macdonald on 23 November, will be run. The buy-out could see the number of permits in the Fishery reduced.

AFMA will make decisions about when to start the SFR grant process once details on the buy-out have been provided. All fishermen will be advised of these details as soon as possible.

In the meantime, should you have any questions about the registration process or the Management Plan itself, please contact Edward Ho-Shon on 1300 723 621 or email Edward.Ho-Shon@afma.gov.au.

New arrangements for the management of Swordfish in the ETBF

At its October meeting, the AFMA Board agreed to a new set of arrangements for the management of swordfish in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. The arrangements will come into effect on 1 January 2006 and include:

• A total allowable catch of 1,400 tonnes (whole weight) of broadbill swordfish for 2006;

• A bycatch limit of 10 broadbill swordfish per trip for all vessels in the ETBF. For those not targeting swordfish a 10 fish limit will cover 95% of their activities in the fishery;

• Those who have historically targeted swordfish, exemptions will be based on a catch history as recorded in logbooks, of a processed weight of greater than 8 tonnes of broadbill swordfish for the combined 2003 and 2004 calendar years;

• Trigger limits will apply to the total catch by the fleet. If these limits are exceeded, all operators will revert to the bycatch limit until catches drop below the preset limits; and

• Operators will be required use catch disposal records and ‘prior to landing’ reporting arrangements.

AFMA will vary ETBF permits on Friday 16 December 2005. If you wish to apply for the exemption to avoid the permit variation fee, AFMA will need to have received your application form by Tuesday 13 December 2005. Application forms were sent with a covering letter to all ETBF permit holders on 23 November 2005 and are also available on our website.

Should you have any further queries on the new management arrangements, please contact Graham Rudd on (02) 6272 5282.