AFMA Update Vol 3, Issue 4, 1 March 2006

Court dismisses AAT appeal on shark allocation

Shark fishers in the SESSF are another step closer to secure fishing rights following the Federal Court’s dismissal of the appeal from the AAT decision in Fischer and Anor and Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The AAT decision upheld the allocation formula for school and gummy shark and the stock assessment and total allowable catches in the Gillnet Hook and Trap Sector. AFMA will now consider an appropriate date for commencing the grant of statutory fishing rights for school and gummy shark in the SESSF.

Annual Public Meeting of SPFMAC

The annual public meeting of the Small Pelagic Fishery Management Advisory Committee (SPFMAC) will be held between 9:00am - 10:00am on Tuesday 28 March 2006 in the AFMA Boardroom at Level 3, John Curtin House, 22 Brisbane Avenue, Barton in Canberra.

The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss issues relating to the management of the Small Pelagic Fishery with MAC members and AFMA. All interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend. The annual meeting will be held prior to the start of the next SPFMAC meeting.

If you would like further information, please contact Selina Stoute at AFMA on (02) 6272 3715 or email selina.stoute@
afma.gov.au.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Shark Resource Assessment Group (SharkRAG):
6-7 March, Queenscliff

Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Resource Assessment Group (ScallopRAG) :
7 March, Melbourne

Eastern Tuna Management Advisory Committee (ETMAC):
16-17 March, Mooloolaba

Western Tuna Management Advisory Committee (WTMAC):
22-23 March, Fremantle

Sub-Antarctic Resource Assessment Group (SARAG):
10-12 April, Hobart

For more details and agenda papers for upcoming MAC meetings, please check our website.

Fisheries management in the future

In December 2005, the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation issued a Direction requiring AFMA to accelerate its programs to end overfishing in Commonwealth fisheries, address the rebuilding of overfished stocks and minimise fishing impacts on the marine environment.

As a result, AFMA will be implementing a number of changes to the way in which many Commonwealth fisheries are being managed. For all fisheries there will be a greater focus on achieving long-term sustainable outcomes, applying precautionary management strategies and increasing the level of monitoring and independent data collection.

While the focus of the Direction is on the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery and Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery, all Commonwealth fisheries are affected. AFMA is required by law to comply with the Direction and has released the Future Operating Environment for Commonwealth Fisheries as an initial response. Next week, all operators and MAC and RAG committee members will receive a copy of this document and the Minister’s Direction to AFMA.

Protected species reporting made easy

Reporting protected species interactions is now easier with new arrangements set up between AFMA and the Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH). These arrangements will allow you to report interactions to AFMA only, rather than both AFMA and DEH.

As long as you are fishing in accordance with your fishery’s management arrangements, it is not an offence to interact with a protected species even if the animal dies. However it is an offence not to report these interactions!

To take advantage of this new arrangement, all you need to do is fill out the appropriate section in your logbook and submit it to AFMA, who will report interactions to DEH on your behalf. All concession holders should have received a letter from AFMA outlining the new arrangements and what you need to do to participate.

If you would like more information or have not received a letter, please contact Tim Smith, Senior Environment Officer at AFMA Direct on 1300 723 621 or email tim.smith@afma.gov.au.

Economic outlook brightens for fishers

The total value of Australia’s fisheries production is expected to increase in 2005-06 to $2.15 billion, reflecting increases in the value of tuna and prawn production, according to the Australian Bureau of Resource Economics (ABARE) March commodity report.

Exchange rate and fuel price movements are expected to move favourably for Australian fishers over the medium term; however, there is some doubt about whether production levels can be sustained, particularly in wildcaught fisheries as the number of species classified as ‘overfished’ continues to increase. According to the report, a forecast fall in the price of oil and an assumed depreciation of the Australian dollar over the medium term will also reduce costs and increase revenues for operators.

A full copy of the report is available from http://www.abare.gov.au/australiancommodities/htm/fisheries.html.

Antarctic Management Plan gets an upgrade

AFMA intends to amend the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery Management Plan 2002.

The proposed changes include altering the date for finalising the Fisheries Assessment Plan from 1 December to 1 March, including the capacity for AFMA to determine catch limits for non-target species, altering the overcatch provisions to make them consistent with the overcatch provisions proposed for the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery and specifying the number of statutory fishing rights for Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish.

AFMA invites comments on the proposed amendments to the Plan from all interested persons. Please send all comments to Peter Neave, Manager Antarctic Fisheries – AFMA, Box 7051, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610 or email peter.neave@afma.gov.au.

Copies of the proposed amendments are available on our website or by writing to AFMA at the above address. Further information on the proposed amendments can also be obtained by contacting Peter Neave on (02) 6272 5794.