Volume 4, Issue 7, 29 March 2007 [see previous editions]
Foreign long-liner intercepted
AFMA is conducting investigations into possible illegal fishing offences by the foreign fishing vessel Shuen Man apprehended in Australian waters last week.
In a joint operation coordinated by Border Protection Command, Australian Customs Vessel Dame Roma Mitchell boarded the 35-metre long-liner on Thursday 22 March 2007. The vessel was intercepted approximately 258 nautical miles north of Lord Howe Island, and about 65 nautical miles inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.
The vessel with 15 crew on board was taken into port at Brisbane and the crew transferred into the custody of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. AFMA is continuing with its investigations into possible breaches of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
Executive arrangements at AFMA
The AFMA Board has decided on an interim Executive to continue operations at AFMA while processes are underway for appointment of a new Managing Director. The following changed arrangements will commence from 6 April 2007:
Dr Nick Rayns – A/Managing Director
Geoff Richardson - A/Executive Manager, Fisheries and Sustainability
Paul Murphy- A/General Manager, Business Management
Rohan Wilson - A/General Manager, Operations
Recruitment processes are currently underway for appointment of a permanent Managing Director.
Draft AFMA Vessel Monitoring System Policy
A draft policy for vessel monitoring systems (VMS) in Commonwealth fisheries went out for consultation to all management advisory committees and the Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA) on 22 January 2007. Comments received on the policy included concerns over the confidentiality of data through data sharing arrangements and also that VMS should be able to be used for prosecution purposes.
AFMA is currently making changes to the draft policy in line with the above comments. AFMA will then circulate the revised draft policy to the CFA and those MACs who made submissions, to ensure concerns have been adequately addressed. The draft policy will then be submitted to the AFMA Board for approval.
For more information, please contact Craig Patterson in Compliance on (02) 6225 5387 or 1300 723 621.
Vacancy: Industry Members of NORMAC
A call for nominations for two Industry Member positions on the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Advisory Committee (NORMAC), has been issued to all Statutory Fishing Right holders in the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF). The closing date for nominations is 13 April 2007.
If you are interested in nominating, or have any questions in relation to these two vacancies, please contact the fishery manager, Wade Whitelaw on (02) 6225 5353, or the AFMA Member on NORMAC, Dorothea Huber on (02) 6225 5381.
SESSF and ETBF Levies
AFMA has been working hard to overcome some technical difficulties that have delayed the issuing of levies this year.
Concession holders in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark fishery and the Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery will soon be levied for their concessions. The due dates for payment of these levies will be adjusted to account for the delays and ensure you have adequate time to make the payments.
We appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding while we work to resolve this issue. If you have any concerns please call Senior Licensing and Quota Monitoring Officer Josh Davis on 1300 723 621 or (02) 6272 5664.
Fisheries Management Paper 9: Considerations applied where an offence is believed to have been committed
During January a draft revision of Fisheries Management Paper 9: ‘Considerations applied where an offence is believed to have been committed’ was sent to all MACs and the CFA for comment.
FMP 9 provides discretion for AFMA in the granting, transferring, suspending and cancelling of fishing concessions. The revision to FMP 9 ensured adequate provisions were put in place to prevent those under investigation from continuing, and benefiting from, fishing activities whilst in breach of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and to protect the investments of other concession holders.
AFMA received an overwhelming response to the revised policy. In particular the proposed suspension and cancellation provisions attracted strong comment from industry during the consultation process.
AFMA is currently making changes to FMP 9 to address industry’s concerns. The revised draft will also provide greater clarity on the specific circumstances where the cancellation and suspension provisions may be applied. Once these changes have been made, AFMA will again consult with the CFA and MACs on the revised draft policy.
Request for tender
Executive Officers – ETMAC and SETMAC
AFMA wishes to invite persons or companies with administrative and fisheries/natural resource management related experience to provide administrative and secretariat support as a part-time (3 days per week) Executive Officer to a fishery Management Advisory Committee.
Two Executive Officer positions will become available on 1 July 2007 for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (ETMAC) and also for the South East Trawl Management Advisory Committee (SETMAC).
For each position, separate RFT documentation can be obtained by contacting AFMA reception on (02) 6225 5555 or email TunaAndBillfish3@afma.gov.au (ETMAC information); SETMAC_RFT@afma.gov.au (SETMAC information) or through AFMA’s website. For each position, all prospective respondents must address each of the criteria specified in the documentation. Both of the RFTs close at 5:15pm (EST) on 27 April 2007.
