Volume 4, Issue 5, 20 March 2007 [see previous editions]
AFMA seizes Australian fishing vessel
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has seized an Australian fishing vessel after it was detected operating in Commonwealth waters without a Commonwealth fishing concession.
The vessel was apprehended in an operation targeting fishers who may still be operating in Commonwealth fisheries despite having their licences bought-back recently in the Australian Government’s Securing our Fishing Future adjustment program.
A fisheries patrol boat detected the vessel in Commonwealth waters off the NSW coast. Subsequent boarding and inspection by AFMA officers ascertained that the vessel did not have a Commonwealth fishing licence.
The vessel was seized on reasonable grounds to believe it was being used for fishing without a Commonwealth fishing concession. It has been escorted to Sydney where AFMA is conducting further investigations.
Gillnet, Hook and Trap MAC Scallop MAC Commonwealth Fisheries Research Advisory Board Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark MAC Great Australian Bight MAC South East Trawl MAC |
Too many fish prove costly for fishing company
An Australian fishing company has been ordered to pay $319,104 after pleading guilty to catching over their allocated quota in 2004.
In the Melbourne Magistrates Court today, Delmark Holdings Pty Ltd was ordered to pay a fine of $165,000, return the proceeds of the sale of fish to the value of $151,604 and pay costs of $2500.
The company landed a total of 18,756 kgs of fish without quota during the 2004 fishing season in the Commonwealth’s Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery. This included 18,651 kgs of Gummy Shark, 64 kgs of Saw Shark, 25 kgs of Jackass Morwong, 11 kgs of Flathead and 3 kgs of John Dory.
Despite being provided extensive advice of their overquota position, Delmark Holdings Pty Ltd failed to obtain quota to cover their catches by the due date.
AFMA Managing Director, Mr Richard McLoughlin welcomed the judgement and urged operators to work within the rules of the quota management system.
“The message for fishers is if you’re going fishing make sure you have enough quota to cover any likely catches or can obtain extra quota by the required date,” said Mr McLoughlin.
Mr McLoughlin thanked AFMA investigators and the officers of the Director of Public Prosecutions for their efforts in prosecuting the case.
AFMA Board meeting
Last week the AFMA Board met in Wellington, New Zealand. The key issues discussed at the meeting included AFMA’s corporate plan, the orange roughy conservation program (see related story below) and management of albacore in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (further details will be provided in AFMA Board News).
The Board also took the opportunity to meet with the NZ Ministry of Fisheries and had extensive discussions with members of NZ industry.
Have your say on the Harvest Strategy Policy
The public comment phase for the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy commenced last week. The process is being coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
AFMA will be submitting a consolidated response in consultation with Management Advisory Commitees (MACs) and Resource Assessment Groups (RAGs). A copy of the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy and associated Guidelines can be found http://www.daffa.gov.au/fisheries/domestic/harvest_strategy_policy and you can provide any comments you have on the policy directly to DAFF by 11 May 2007.
If you wish to have your comments included in the AFMA consolidated response, please provide them by
4 May 2007 to:
Andy Bodsworth
Harvest Strategy Manager
AFMA
Box 7051 Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610, or by email to andy.bodsworth@afma.gov.au.
Management Advisory Committee nominations
ETMAC
The appointment terms of the current Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (ETMAC) members are due to end on 30 June 2007. AFMA is now seeking nominations for the positions.
Please go to http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/tuna/etbf/notices/default.htm#etmac for details or contact Wez Norris, ETBF Manager on 02 6225 5312 or by email Wez.Norris@afma.gov.au.
SBT MAC
AFMA is also seeking tenders from people interested in a challenging and dynamic role as Executive Officer for the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Advisory Committee (SBTMAC).
All prospective respondents must address each of the criteria specified in the documentation. Request For Tender (RFT) documentation can be obtained at http://www.afma.gov.au/about/career/tenders.htm, by contacting AFMA Direct 1300 723 621 or email TunaAndBillfish2@afma.gov.au. The RFT closes at 5:15pm (EST) on 10 April 2007.
Northern Prawn Fishery first season and pre-season skipper briefings
The first fishing season in the Northern Prawn Fishery for 2007 will begin on 7 April and finish on 19 May.
Prior to the opening, staff will be visiting the ports of Cairns, Darwin and Karumba to give skipper briefings and for an opportunity to visit skippers and crew on the boats. The times for these briefings are as follows:
Location |
Date |
Time |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Cairns |
Tuesday 27 March 2007 |
1pm |
Grassy area at the old ‘pig pens’ |
Darwin |
Thursday 29 March 2007 |
4pm |
AMC shed at the ‘duck pond’ |
Karumba |
Saturday 31 May / Sunday 1 April 2007 |
Raptis crew briefing |
The Northern Prawn Fishery Management Advisory Committee (NORMAC) has agreed to extend the banana season to improve economic efficiency if there are high catch rates throughout the season.
For any inquiries please contact Adrianne Burke on 02 6225 5368 or email Adrianne.burke@afma.gov.au
Orange Roughy Conservation Program Workshop
In November 2006, the Orange Roughy Conservation Program was released which aims to protect the future of orange roughy stocks.
Under the program, a blanket 700m closure (750m in Great Australian Bight Fishery) was implemented in all orange roughy zones excluding the Cascade Plateau Zone. AFMA notified concession holders that changes to the current orange roughy depth closures would be considered if alternative proposals meet the specific objectives of the conservation program. Consequently, a number of orange roughy quota holders have begun developing alternative arrangements for presentation to the AFMA Board.
To further facilitate the development of alternative arrangements, AFMA Management has arranged an orange roughy conservation program workshop in April this year.
This workshop will focus on the monitoring and research requirements in known orange roughy zones. The meeting will NOT discuss other deepwater species management issues. The agenda will include monitoring options for the Cascade, Eastern, Southern and Western zones. The meeting will be open to all SESSF trawl concession holders and will allow for industry to work with AFMA Management to further develop monitoring and research arrangements which meet the objectives of the conservation program.
For further information please contact:
Melissa Brown
Manager SETF
Phone:
(02) 6225 5465 or go to: http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/sess/sess/notices/2007/n20070314.pdf.
