Volume 4, Issue 17, 28 August 2007 [see previous editions]
Reminder to SESSF operators to balance quota and catch
Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) concession holders are reminded that the second quarterly catch balancing date is fast approaching.
SESSF concession holders are required to balance all of their catches against their quota holdings by 5pm EST on 31 August 2007, by either transferring/leasing quota to cover their excess catches and/or advising AFMA of any discrepancies on their quota transaction statement.
By now SESSF operators should have received their quota holding and catch summaries as well as quota transaction statements to assist with balancing catches against quota holdings.
It is important for concession holders to ensure they are not in an over quota position at any time. Concession holders are encouraged to use Quotaview on AFMA’s website as an indicative record of their catch and quota position. We also encourage concession holders to submit their leases early to avoid any complications.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements or you haven’t received your statements, please contact Ben Munstermann on
1300 723 621 or by email at quota.manager@afma.gov.au.
The next meeting of the AFMA Board will be in Canberra this week on Commonwealth license holders and others with an interest in Commonwealth fisheries are invited to join AFMA Directors for light refreshments at Barocca, Cnr Marcus Clarke St & Barry Dr, Canberra City. Date: If you wish to attend please RSVP to Milica Milanja on |
No change to Southern Bluefin Tuna zones in the ETBF
AFMA reviews the location of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) zones for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery every two weeks. The location of the zones will not change for this fortnight begining midnight tomorrow, 29 August 2007.
More information about the SBT core and buffer zones, as well as 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.
Licensing and Quota Management section training
Next Thursday 6 September, AFMA’s Licensing and Quota Management staff will be attending an important training and development session which will assist in delivering key licensing projects over the next 12 months as well as enhancing customer service.
Please note all calls to the Licensing and Quota Management section on this day will be diverted to Reception on 1300 723 621. Please understand that there may be a slight delay in responding to your enquiry by Licensing staff, although all enquiries will be attended to within 24 hours. Thank you for your cooperation.
South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network declared
A network of 13 new Commonwealth Marine Reserves has been declared in Australia’s South-east Marine Region (Commonwealth waters) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The region extends from the far south coast of New South Wales, around Tasmania and Victoria and west to Kangaroo Island off South Australia. This is the first temperate deep sea network of marine reserves in the world.
The reserves will come into effect on 3 September 2007. They are managed by the Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) under delegation from the Australian Government Director of National Parks. The activities allowed in the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network are based on a system of zones which allow and prohibit certain activities. While some fishing methods are allowed in some zones of some of the reserves, demersal trawl, Danish seine, scallop dredge and gillnetting below 183 metres are not allowed in any of the reserves. These arrangements are explained in detail on the DEW website.
To fish in areas where it is allowed or to transit any of the reserves, commercial fishers must register for an approval prior to fishing. There are no fees or charges associated with being registered. For more information on how to register please contact the South-east Region Manager on (02) 6274 1111 or go to the DEW website.
Maps are also available.
