Volume 4, Issue 3,16 February 2007 [see previous editions]
Don’t forget your VMS! Deadline approaching
A reminder to operators that all fishing vessels operating in Commonwealth fisheries are required to have a vessel monitoring system fitted and operational by 1 July 2007.
With less than 5 months remaining until the deadline, AFMA is urging operators to make arrangements with authorised agents to install an approved ICVMS. A list of agents and approved units can be found on the AFMA website: www.afma.gov.au/industry/vms/
The new expansion of VMS across the entire Commonwealth fishing fleet is part of AFMA’s response to the Ministerial Direction issued to it by the Australian Government. Under this Direction AFMA is required to enhance the monitoring of fishing activity. This is to be achieved through increased use of vessel monitoring systems as well as through measures such as on-board cameras and observers.
If you have any questions regarding the implementation process, please contact Craig Patterson on 02 6225 5387 or email craig.patterson@afma.gov.au
‘Fishy’ documents earn operator a six month lay-off
An operator in the SESS Fishery has had his concession suspended for six months and received a 12 month good behaviour bond after submitting fraudulent documentation relating to his logbooks. The fisher was found guilty on 14 December 2006 at Frankston Magistrates Court, Victoria.
AFMA views such incidences as serious as they significantly jeopardise the management arrangements and have the potential to affect the quota holdings of all concession holders. We remind all operators to ensure that they submit documents in accordance with management requirements.
Licensing systems get an upgrade
AFMA is conducting a major upgrade to the computer system that manages operators’ licensing and quota information. The current system was due for an overhaul to keep pace with management developments such as the issuing of statutory fishing rights in many fisheries. The new system will result in faster and more effective processing and will also provide the platform for the provision of online services in the future.
Data for each fishery is being transferred individually, with the SESS Fishery to be the first to go live in April this year. In the meantime please let us know if you experience any errors or discrepancies in the licensing or quota information provided to you.
SESSF Carryover
A reminder to all Concession holders in the SESS Fishery that to receive your undercatch (carryover) on your 2006 holdings YOU MUST HOLD AT LEAST ONE Statutory Fishing Right for that species on 28 February 2007.
If you have any queries in relation to this matter please contact Margot Sachse, in Quota Management on 1300 723 621.
Delays to Levy Invoices
As many fishing concession holders would be aware, there have been some delays in the issuing of levy invoices for some fisheries this year.
As of 13 February, AFMA has issued levy invoices for the Southern Squid Jig Fishery, the Northern Prawn Fishery, the Informally Managed Fisheries, Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery, Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery and the North West Slope. AFMA is making every effort to get invoices out as soon as possible for the remainder of fisheries.
The delay in the issuing of levies this year is a result of technical problems with the computer system that generates levy invoices, linked to the licensing upgrade described above. AFMA apologies for any inconvenience caused by the delay. Concession holders should note that the delays will not mean you have any less time to pay levies, or prevent you from fishing.
For concession holders who have been accepted under round two of the Structural Adjustment Program being managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, AFMA has been producing manual levy invoices so that successful tenderers can surrender their concessions as soon as possible. All tenderers should receive these by today. Please note that it is a requirement of the structural adjustment package that all outstanding levies are paid prior to surrender.
If you have any concerns or questions please contact AFMA on 1300 723 621.
SBTMAC call for nominations
The appointment terms of the current Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Advisory Committee (SBTMAC) members are due to end on 30 April 2007. AFMA is now seeking nominations for the positions.
For more information please contact Ryan Murphy, SBT Fishery Manager.
Phone: 02 6225 5304
Email: ryan.murphy@afma.gov.au
Website: http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/tuna/sbt/notices/default.htm
