Vol 3, Issue 13, 4 August 2006 [see previous editions]
Fishing for Tigers in the Gulf of Carpentaria
The Tiger prawn season commenced on 1 August 2006 and will run until 15 November 2006. This year’s Tiger prawn season will see operators allowed to use new trawl net configurations such as quad gear. Quad gear allows operators to tow four nets behind the boat as opposed to two hence increasing operating efficiency but not fishing effort.
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Who’s got access to your information?
To ensure AFMA can continue to maintain the security of information and concessions, AFMA are reviewing and updating delegated authorisations for all AFMA concession holders. All concession holders will be sent a list of people who are currently able to access their information and conduct certain activities on their behalf. It is important all concession holders review this information and make any changes on the forms provided to maintain the security of their concessions. Two new forms have been developed to make nominating new persons and revoking previous authorisations easier.
These are the AA - Authorised Agent Nomination form and the AR – Revocation of Agent form. These new forms will soon be available on the AFMA website.
For further information please contact Anne Shepherd on 02 6272 5297 or Laura Walker on 02 6272 5382.
Mussels destroyed on illegal fishing boats
Three Indonesian ice-boats have been successfully treated for serious bivalve pests found on their hulls.
Black-striped mussels found on one boat and Asian Green mussels found on the other two boats have all been destroyed. The three boats were treated with chemicals outside Darwin Harbour in an operation lasting seven days.
The treatment was coordinated and carried out by AFMA whilst NT Fisheries provided assistance and monitored the treatment before giving final approval for the boats to be returned to Darwin Harbour.
New gear requirement announced for the Commonwealth Trawl Sector
A new Direction applying to all holders of a trawl boat statutory fishing right in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector (excluding Danish seine and prawn trawl) has been announced. The objective of this Direction is to mandate a minimum mesh size within otter trawl nets to reduce the capture of non-target species especially small and juvenile commercial species. This gear requirement is a result of recommendations from SETFIA and SETMAC during 2005.
This Direction requires that the fishery is closed to a boat using otter trawl nets when fishing unless the otter trawl net used by the boat has the following requirement:
That 115 mm mesh (4 ½ inch) is the minimum mesh size in the wings and the net mouth (shoulders, belly and veranda). The net mouth is determined as at least 50 meshes from the centre of the headline towards the codend.
For further information please contact Matt Piasente on (02) 6272 5587 or matthew.piasente@afma.gov.au. Details of this Direction can be found on the AFMA website.
Call for nominations
The terms of appointment for Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery MAC are due to expire 30 September 2006. AFMA is calling for nominations for industry membership on the MAC. Closing date for nominations is 14 August 2006.
See also: Letter to industry calling for nominations
Location of SBT core and buffer zones in the ETBF
The area of the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) core and buffer zones in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery have been reassessed for the next two week period beginning 5 August 2006. The northern boundary of the core zone will be at 30 degrees south. The buffer zone will be all waters between 29 and 30 degrees south.
Full details and updates on SBT zones can be found on AFMA’s website.
Quota to sell? Wanting to buy?
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!
Current offers include:
- Wanted to lease: school shark
- Wanted to lease: 1000kg Ling and 1500 Gummy shark
- For lease: 17 000kg Blue Warehou 2006 season
For more details visit: www.quotaboard.afma.gov.au
