Volume 5, Issue 5, 11 March 2008 [see previous editions]
SESSF 31 January 2008 quota and catch balancing wrap up and end of season details
AFMA would like to thank SESSF concession holders for their efforts in leasing in sufficient quota to cover the catches for the quarterly period ending 31 January 2008. The majority of concession holders submitted applications to cover their excess catches before the 31 January deadline.
AFMA reminds all concession holders that the end of the SESSF 2007 season is fast approaching and ends on 30 April 2008.
For the 2007 SESSF season, all catches that exceed quota holdings must be covered through the leasing in of sufficient quota by 30 May 2008. QuotaView is available as an indicative record for concession holders of their catch and quota position and all are encouraged to use this facility. Don’t leave it until the last minute to cover your catches.
Concession holders will receive a letter over the next few weeks that provides further information on the requirements.
If you have any questions please contact Ben Munstermann on 1300 723 621 or by email quota.manager@afma.gov.au .
If you are paying SESSF levy by BPAY, please visit AFMA’s website for an important announcement. |
Prosecution of Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) concession holder
An SESSF concession holder and representatives appeared before Magistrate Bone in Bega Local Court on 19 December 2007 charged with failing to reconcile their over-quota position for Pink Ling and Eastern Gemfish during the 2005 fishing season.
Both parties were found guilty and fined $2,000 each. In addition AFMA sought and was granted a forfeiture order of $36,027 for the value of the over-catch.
Milman Island Turtle Project
Milman Island is a small coral cay in the far northern Great Barrier Reef just south of the Torres Strait. It is an important nesting site for the vulnerable Hawksbill Turtle.
Every year, for the last ten years, researchers from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and volunteers from around the world have journeyed to the remote island to monitor the nesting population of turtles. With ten years of data, researchers are now certain that the hawksbill turtle population is in decline.
For the last 4 years, students from Tagai State College (Thursday Island Secondary Campus) have actively participated in the research. Funded by Earthwatch and hosted by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, these students have gained invaluable hands-on experience and have been involved in the collection of real data for turtle management.
For the last 2 years AFMA’s turtle and dugong officer, Samantha Emerick, has also been involved in the program and has taken this opportunity to educate young Torres Strait Islanders who may be the future decision makers about turtle conservation, sustainable hunting and fisheries management.
This year 11 senior students along with marine science teacher, Rob Kocho and marine assistant, Koeygab Pabai, assisted with the turtle monitoring activities at Milman Island. By night, the group enthusiastically tagged and measured turtles, counted and weighed turtle eggs, released turtle hatchlings and recorded data. By day, the students explored the reef and island environments and learnt about broader conservation and fisheries management issues.
The skills, knowledge and experience these students have gained by working alongside experts in their field, by far, out way any classroom activity and will be remembered for a lifetime. It will also go a long way in positively shaping their awareness of the importance of marine science, conservation and sustainable fisheries management.
Thanks to the students of Tagai State College, Rob Kocho, Koeygap Pabai, Earthwatch, QPWS and others for facilitating this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
