Changes to SBT arrangements in ETBF

The AFMA Board has agreed to continue using SBT core and buffer zone closures in 2006. Each year AFMA draws on the latest scientific data to establish the ‘zones’ in which precautionary management measures are applied to avoid the accidental catch of SBT.

The arrangements will be essentially the same as those in place for the 2005 SBT season based on minimum SBT quota holdings in defined zones where interactions with SBT are likely. However, a number of changes have been made in order to provide for some flexibility for operators to alter the cost structure of their operations. The main changes to be implemented include:

• The minimum SBT quota holding required to operate in the core zone will be reduced from 2 tonnes to 500kg;

• The required level of observer coverage will vary depending on the level of initial quota holding for each operator;

• Fish down as SBT quota will be permitted in both core and buffer zones;

• Any uncaught quota holding below 500kg will require 100 per cent observer coverage; and

• A fixed daily rate for observer coverage with monthly invoicing.

AFMA will be writing to operators with more detailed information on these arrangements shortly. For more information please contact Daniel Clifton on (02) 6272 4812 or daniel.clifton@afma.gov.au.

Important! New levy collection process

Following consultation with Management Advisory Committees, Commonwealth Fisheries Association and Australian Seafood Industry Council, the AFMA Board has reviewed AFMA’s policy for handling unpaid and overdue management levy. As a consequence, a revised policy with a set of new procedures for collecting overdue levy will be adopted in the 2005/06 financial year. In summary:

• failure to pay management levy by the due date will result in the suspension of your fishing concession;

• AFMA will only enter into an arrangement with a fishing concession holder to pay their management levy by instalments following the suspension of that operators fishing concessions for non payment of management levy;

• an up front administration fee of $220 (including GST) is payable at the time of requesting the arrangement;

• fishing concession holders wishing to enter into an arrangement to pay their management levy by instalments, following the suspension of their fishing concessions, must put their request in writing and set out a proposed payment plan.

The payment plan must:

1. list instalment amounts and payment dates (noting that AFMA will not enter into an arrangement which exceeds 3 payments); or
2. If the repayment is to be made in a lump sum, specify a date on which the total amount will be paid;
3. not extend beyond 31 July in the relevant year; and
4. contain an undertaking from the fishing concession holder of their commitment to making each repayment on or before the due date for payment.

If AFMA agrees to enter into an arrangement for payment of overdue management levy the suspension of your fishing concession will be revoked.

A complete copy of the revised policy is available from our website. Questions on this issue should be directed to AFMA’s Licensing and Quota Management section by calling AFMA Direct on 1300 723 621.

AFMA to brief MAC's on Securing our Fishing Future initiative

AFMA will hold a special meeting of all MAC and RAG chairs in Canberra on 24 January to brief them on the Minister’s direction to AFMA and our proposed response. Stay tuned to the AFMA Update for further information or visit our website.

Message from the Commonwealth Fisheries Association

The Commonwealth Fisheries Association is contacting all Commonwealth operators who are likely to be impacted by the proposed MPAs for the purpose of collecting socio-economic information. An Impact Assessment Report is being prepared by TAFI, and the socio-economic information collated will be an integral part of the report.

If you operate in a Commonwealth fishery in the area of any of the proposed MPAs, and have not already provided your contact details, please contact the CFA Executive Officer, Gail Richey at trawline@bigpond.net.au or by fax on (03) 6428 7755 no later than noon Monday 16 January.

$25,000 up for grabs in Bycatch reduction competition!

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched the 2006 WWF International Smart Gear Competition for Fishing Gear that Reduce Accidental Marine Life Deaths. The unique international competition will bring together conservationists, fishermen and scientists as WWF hope to find innovative fishing gears and technologies to reduce marine bycatch in fishing gear such as nets and longlines.

The international competition will award a $25,000 (US) grand prize and two $5,000 (US) runner-up prizes to those designs judged to be the most practical and cost-effective methods for reducing bycatch of any species. The competition is open to eligible entrants from any background, including fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors. Entry details are available at www.smartgear.org and completed entries must be submitted by 15 March 2006.

Looking for quota? Got some to sell?

Don’t forget about AFMA’s new free quota classifieds service ‘Quotaboard’. At Quotaboard you can check out Commonwealth quota, SFR’s or permits to buy, lease or advertise your own. Some of the items currently on offer include:

• For sale: Boat SFR for sale with lease agreement for 15 tonne gummy and 3 tonne school shark for 2006, 2007.

• Wanted to lease: 2006 quota year Flathead and Orange Roughy quota (Cascade, Eastern & Southern Zones).

• Wanted to buy: wish to purchase 500kg of Blue Eye Trevalla Quota, without permit

Check out www.quotaboard.afma.gov.au for more details on these and other offers.