Vol 3, Issue 18, 16 October 2006 [see previous editions]
IMPORTANT – Information for successful tenderers in the buyback
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) recently advised many operators that their tenders had been accepted as part of the buyback process from the Securing Our Fishing Future package.
DAFF has asked successful tenderers to comply with certain contractual requirements, which include meeting requirements with AFMA, such as completing and submitting logbooks and catch disposal records, and reconciling catch with quota. There will inevitably be a delay between submitting documents to AFMA that indicate that fishing has ceased and the physical surrender of concessions.
Depending on the fishery, the completion and submission of logbooks, prior reporting, operational VMS, fishing methods, trip limits, threat abatement plan provisions, etc are required by the conditions of fishing permits or statutory fishing rights (SFR). All conditions must be complied with up until the surrender of the fishing permit or SFR has been formally actioned by AFMA. Failure to meet these obligations could result in compliance action being initiated by AFMA which may also affect the conditions of the buyback.
To avoid any confusion AFMA advises that it is not possible to be compliant with concession conditions if fishing takes place after the relevant documents are submitted to AFMA that indicate that fishing has ceased.
Operators are advised that until such time as their fishing permits or SFRs are formally surrendered and they are notified in writing by AFMA to that effect, they are obliged to continue to meet all the conditions associated with their fishing permits or SFRs that are intended to be surrendered.
If you are surrendering concessions under the buyback, once you submit your logbooks, CDRs etc to AFMA you must not fish under those concessions again.
During this phase of the buyback increased compliance activity will be undertaken to monitor adherence to these requirements.
Find out more about the Business Exit Assistance and other aspects of the Securing our Fishing Future package, on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website (www.daff.gov.au/fishingfuture) or call the Helpdesk on 1800 617 866.
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ETBF port visits
AFMA is holding port visits in QLD and NSW this month. All ETBF permit holders, skippers, crew and interested parties are invited to discuss any current management arrangements. The meeting details are:
| Date | Locations | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23 October | Mooloolaba Seafood Cruise Vessel, Mooloolaba Yacht Club Marina |
9:00am – 12:00pm |
| Tuesday 24 October | Cairns Contact 02 6272 5286 to arrange a meeting |
9:30am – 11:30am |
| Wednesday 25 October | Southport Boardroom Café, Southport Yacht Club, Macarthur Parade Southport |
9:00am – 11:00am |
Thursday 26 October |
Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op, 69 Marina Drive Coffs Harbour |
9:30am – 11:30am |
Friday 27 October |
Nelsons Bay The Wharf Restaurant, 1 Teramby Rd Nelsons Bay. |
9:30am – 11:30am |
Monday 30 October |
Ulladulla Boardroom, Ulladulla Fishermen’s Co-op, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ulladulla |
12:30pm – 3:30pm |
| Tuesday 31 October | Narooma Contact 02 6272 5286 to arrange a meeting |
9:00am – 11:00am |
| Tuesday 31 October | Eden |
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
If you’re a skipper or boat owner in the Northern Prawn Fishery, Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, or East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery – we need YOU!
Join us at a workshop bringing fishermen, net makers, and scientists together to evaluate the potential of a range of new, innovative options to reduce bycatch and improve fishing efficiency in tropical prawn trawl fisheries.
The workshop will have Australian and international speakers providing presentations and information on electricity or water turbulence to ‘attract’ fish towards escape openings of a BRD, sound or light to repel bycatch ahead of an approaching trawl, new otter boards that are fuel efficient and seabed friendly and much more!
Workshop participants will discuss the merits and potential application of these innovative options to their fishery and present their own ideas for bycatch reduction and fishing efficiency.
When/Where: 21-22 November 2006 Cairns
Contact: Wade Whitelaw at AFMA on (02) 6272 5029 or wade.whitelaw@afma.gov.au
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 has been reassessed for the two week period beginning 14 October 2006. The core zone is all waters south of 37° South. The buffer zone is all waters between 36° South and 37° South.
Full details and updates on SBT zones can be found on AFMA’s website.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority Public Meeting
AFMA invites members of the public and the broader fishing community to join the 2006 AFMA Public Meeting. This meeting is AFMA’s main forum to report on its performance over the preceding year and to discuss key issues and challenges for the coming year.
Date: Friday 20 October 2006
Time: 9.30am to 11.00am
Venue: FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB151 Marine Terrace, FREMANTLE WA
