Vol 3, Issue 12, 12 July 2006 [see previous editions]
VMS for all vessels
In December 2005, the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation directed Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to enhance the monitoring of fishing activity. In response to the Minister’s Direction, AFMA has introduced its integrated computer vessel monitoring system (ICVMS) across the whole of the commonwealth fishing fleet.
All vessels are required to have an ICVMS fitted and operational by 1 July 2007. The implementation of ICVMS applies to all vessels; however exemptions may be available for smaller vessels where traditional ICVMS units cannot be fitted because of power or space issues. For example smaller vessels may be exempted from the carriage of a computer. AFMA is presently developing standards for this exemption.
AFMA has recently sent out fact sheets to all commonwealth endorsed operators outlining the changes in more detail.
If you haven’t received a fact sheet, please contact AFMA on 1300 723 621 or email AFMA on vmsinfo@afma.gov.au
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AFMA’s online quota classified service, QUOTABOARD, will put you in touch with the people who have got what you need… or need what you’ve got! For more details visit: www.quotaboard.afma.gov.au |
Are numbers your thing? 2005 Fisheries Statistics released by ABARE
The value of production from Commonwealth fisheries fell from $342 million in 2003-04 to $323 million in 2004-05 according to the 2005 Fisheries statistics report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).
This drop was partially driven by a fall in world prices and an appreciating Australian dollar, as well as an 8 percent reduction in the volume of production. The real value of production from Commonwealth fisheries has been on a downward trend since 2000-01 (figure E).
Despite a decline in both the value and volume of production, the northern prawn fishery continued to be Australia’s most valuable Commonwealth managed fishery. The gross value of production was $65.0 million in 2004-05, down 12 percent from $74.0 million in 2003-04. The total volume of production fell by 18 percent to 5124 tonne in 2004-05. The Commonwealth trawl sector (previously the south east trawl fishery) was the next most valuable fishery, earning $58.9 million. The gross value of production increased by 8 percent from 2003-04 to 2004-05.
For a copy of the report, or further information on ABARE’s 2005 Fisheries Statistics visit www.abareconomics.com
Toothfish fishing rights for tender
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has invited tenders for the purchase of fishing rights in the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery.
AFMA Managing Director, Richard McLoughlin, said the tender follows the announcement of the acceptance of the management plan for the fishery by Minister for Fisheries, Senator Eric Abetz.
Tenderers will need to register with the tender manager before accessing the Request for Tender documents. Tenders close on 15 August 2006.
Further information regarding the tender can be found on the AFMA website.
AFMA has employed a professional tender manager and probity auditor. All questions from potential bidders MUST be directed to the tender manager.
His details are:
Peter Marshall Phone: (02) 9909 2418
Email: petermarshall@optusnet.com.au
Australia scores double-century in the fight against illegal fishing
The apprehension on Friday 7th July of the 200th illegal foreign fishing vessel in Australian waters this year represents a $2.5 million hit on the illegal fishing operators.
“The $2.5 million value of seized boats, gear and catch represents a real blow where it hurts most to the financiers of illegal fishing operations in Australia’s northern waters”, the Minister for Fisheries, Senator Eric Abetz said.
“By seizing and destroying gear and catch to the value of some $2.5 million the Australian Government has delivered a strong blow to these operators. By apprehending and destroying more and more illegal foreign fishing vessels we will reduce the attractiveness of fishing in our waters.” Said Senator Abetz.
The 200th vessel apprehended was a shark boat apprehended by Customs in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
For more information: See the media release
AAT affirms AFMA’s decision
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) recently affirmed an AFMA decision to apply the re-allocation policy to persons who purchased shark quota after the initial allocation in 2001 but prior to the decision in Fischer (No.1).
The applicants had purchased several packages after the 2001 allocation and their overall quota holdings were reduced following the reallocation in 2004.
The Tribunal held that the reallocation policy was lawful and that whilst its application had varying impact on different operators it had not produced an injustice in the applicants case.
In making its decision the Tribunal considered the applicants’ circumstances compared with all other operators, and also with all other operators who acquired quota.
Location of SBT Core and Buffer Zones in the ETBF
The area of the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) core and buffer zones of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery have been reassessed for the next two week period beginning 8 July 2006. No change has been made to the zones for this period. Therefore the northern boundary of the core zone remains at 34 degrees south. The buffer zone remains between 33 and 34 degrees south.
SBT Final Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Determination 2005-06
On Monday 3 July, following agreement of a global TAC by members at the Commission for the Conservation of SBT, AFMA’s Managing Director Richard McLoughlin determined the 2005-06 final SBT TAC at 5265 tonne. The actual live weight was calculated at 0.9888397276 kilograms per SFR. The determination and calculation are the same as the 2004-05 season.
For more information please contact Ryan Murphy, SBT Manager on 02 6272 3717.
