Volume 4, Issue 15, 23 July 2007 [see previous editions]
Tiger prawn season around the corner
The Northern Prawn Fishery tiger prawn season will commence on 1 August 2007 and run until 15 November 2007.
During this year’s season, there will be eleven crew member observers operating on 9 vessels in the fishery, collecting important data on threatened, endangered and protected species.
Twenty participating vessels will also be trialling the new ‘Popeye’ Fishbox bycatch reduction device (BRD). Each vessel will fit the device to 1 of their 2 nets so the effectiveness of the Fishbox can be measured. The project, funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust, is a continuation of earlier trials which showed promising results in reducing the catch of unwanted fish and sea snakes from trawl nets in this fishery.
Changes to SBT zones on the east coast
The third set of SBT zones in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery will come into force at midnight on 24 July 2007.
The location of the new SBT core and buffer zones, together with maps and other information about minimum quota holdings and observer coverage, can be found on AFMA’s website or by calling Wez Norris on 02 6225 5312 or 1300 723 621. AFMA will review the location of the zones every 2 weeks.
First round of Action grants now open
Applications for the first round of Action grants under the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Advancing Agricultural Industries Programme are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday 10 August.
Action Grants help industries to gain a more profitable, sustainable and competitive position in domestic and international markets. The Australian Government will provide matching funding of up to $1 million for projects which enable industries to build their structural and organisational capacity. To be eligible, an organisation should have completed an Industry partnership Programme, taking Stock- Setting Direction process or equivalent.
Information on the grants, including the eligibility criteria, guidelines and application form, can be obtained at www.daff.gov.au/actiongrants, email AAI@daff.gov.au or phone 1800 686 175.
AFMA's Operational and Corporate Plans
AFMA’s Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for 2007-08 and Corporate Plan (2007-2011) have been signed off by the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation.
The AOP sets out details of how AFMA will pursue its outcome of ‘Ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries’ for the 2007-2008 financial year. It articulates what AFMA’s focus will be, our key challenges, and what we intend to deliver. The Corporate Plan contains long term strategies and factors that are likely to influence the operating environment in the future. It outlines priorities for improvement and future directions.
You can access the AOP and the Corporate Plan from the AFMA website:
- Download our Annual Operational Plan
What’s your innovative idea for addressing bycatch? It may be worth $30,000
The entry deadline for the 2007 International Smart Gear Competition is fast approaching, with your last chance to enter being 31 July 2007.
The annual WWF and partner Smart Gear Competition aims to inspire innovative, practical, cost-effective ideas that allow fishers to "fish smarter" - to better target their intended catch while reducing bycatch.
The Competition awards a $30,000 Grand Prize and 2 $10,000 Runner-Up Prizes for the best entries. The competition is open to all - fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors.
Visit www.smartgear.org for entry materials and to learn about the winning ideas from the first 2 competitions. For more information, contact Mike Osmond at michael.osmond@wwfus.org or +1 650 323 3506
