Volume 4, Issue 9, 27 April 2007 [see previous editions]
What’s that protected species?
A ‘boat-friendly’ ID guide has been produced by AFMA as a reference and identification tool for fishers in the event of an interaction with a protected species. The new guide, intended to go in the wheelhouses of all Commonwealth fishery vessels, has pictures and information about the range of protected species fishers do or have the potential to interact with.
As long as operators are fishing in accordance with their accredited management arrangements, it is not an offence to accidentally interact with a protected species, but it is an offence to not report it. Remember…All interactions must be reported in AFMA logbooks!
The guide is currently being distributed to operators across all Commonwealth fisheries to pass on to their vessels, with copies also being handed out directly at ports by AFMA’s liaison officers and Observers.
Funding for the guide was made possible by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and Department of Environment and Water Resources. For further information about the protected species guide and reporting requirements, please contact Tim Smith at AFMA on 1300 723 621 or email tim.smith@afma.gov.au
The SBTMAC is holding a public meeting on Tuesday 1 May 2007 in Port Lincoln. Anyone with an interest in the management of the domestic fishery is invited to attend. If you are interested in attending or require further information contact Mr Tony Kingston on |
Last days…SESSF 2007 Quarterly Quota and Catch Balancing Process
AFMA wishes to remind SESSF concession holders they are now required to balance all of their catches against their quota holdings on a quarterly basis. The first of these quarterly quota and catch balancing dates is 30 April 2007.
On this date, SESSF concession holders are required to balance all of their catches against their quota holdings by 5pm EST, by either transferring/leasing quota to cover their excess catches and/or advising AFMA of any discrepancies on their quota transaction statements.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements please contact Ben Munstermann on 1300 723 621.
Update on SFR grant in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery
By 30 April 2007, AFMA will send letters by registered post to eligible persons advising them of the number of statutory fishing rights available to them in accordance with the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2005.
Further information on the provisional allocation process can be obtained from Peter Neave, Manager, Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery on (02) 6225 5302.
Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery – SBT zones working group meeting
The annual northerly migration of SBT along the east coast of Australia is likely to begin in the next few months. To manage this annual interaction, AFMA restricts access in areas where SBT are likely to be caught, and ETBF operators wishing to fish in these SBT zones are required to have access to SBT quota and observer coverage.
The Eastern Tuna MAC has formed a working group to discuss management arrangements for the SBT core and buffer zones in 2007. The working group is meeting on 27 April in Sydney, and will produce a discussion paper to be placed on AFMA’s website.
AFMA staff will conduct a port visit, in either Sydney or Ulladulla, in May, to discuss the 2007 SBT zones arrangements with ETBF operators. Details on the port visits will be provided to permit holders.
For further information, please contact Nicole Flint on (02) 6225 5373.
Quotaview - Registration of email address required
Over the past few months AFMA has made changes to the Quotaview system to enhance your privacy. A new password retrieval process has been implemented which requires each concession holder to have an email address registered with AFMA. If you lose or forget your password, your password will now be emailed directly to you.
All current Quotaview users will soon receive a letter requesting registration or confirmation of their email address by 11 May 2007. If you do not have an active email address linked to your account you will need to obtain an email address from your internet provider or from one of the many public email providers available.
If you have already registered your email address you will need to check that it is current and active.
Currently Quotaview is available to Concession holders in the Western Deepwater Trawl, HIMI, Scallop, SESSF, Southern Squid and SBT fisheries. If you would like to sign up for Quotaview please download the registration form on the AFMA website or contact Heidi Prislan on (02) 6225 5397.
AFMA will update concession holders when other fisheries become available on Quotaview.
ETBF Management Plan
The AFMA Board has determined an Amendment to the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Management Plan 2005 that will allow the SFR allocation process to commence. The amendment and associated documents will be soon be forwarded to the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation for his acceptance in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991. If the Minister accepts the plan amendment, AFMA will call for the registration of eligible persons as soon as possible to commence the SFR process.
For further information, please contact Wez Norris on (02) 6225 5312.
Vacancy: Industry Members of SETMAC
AFMA is seeking nominations for three industry member positions on the South East Trawl Fishery Management Advisory Committee (SETMAC). The closing date for nominations is 11 May 2007.
If you are interested in nominating, or have any questions in relation to these three vacancies, please contact the South East Trawl Fishery Management Officer, Rocco Ciccosillo on (02) 6225 5441 or visit the AFMA website.
