Volume 5, Issue 7, 8 April 2008 [see previous editions]
AFMA Information Summit
On 28 March, AFMA Chief Information Officer, Mark Farrell, hosted the first AFMA Information Summit at the Canberra RSL Club with the aim of answering specific questions about the collection of fisheries-related data. The summit aimed to answer questions such as ‘what does AFMA need to know and when?’ and ‘how does this compare to the data we collect now?’ along with questions like ‘are there opportunities to share services?’
It is hoped that by defining AFMA’s data requirements and by identifying current capabilities, AFMA will be able to better manage the manner in which it collects, stores and uses data in the future.
Mark Farrell said the summit would allow better management of data in the future. ‘This will contribute to better fisheries management practices. Fishers will benefit from improvement of AFMA’s capacity to collect and use data.’
‘We are also focussing on the quality of the data we collect, ensuring that we have the latest up-to-date information to help us make fisheries management decisions. I was very pleased at the level of industry and inter-departmental involvement,’ Mr Farrell said.
The summit received presentations from Mark Farrell, CIO, AFMA; Nick Rayns, General Manager, FMB, AFMA; Dave Johnson, Manager, Environment & Research, AFMA and Ian Knuckey from Fishwell.
Mark Farrell said he was pleased with what had been achieved at the summit; ‘We now have an improved understanding of the data we need to collect’.
‘A key part of the process is AFMA’s push for e-logs, a move endorsed by those at the summit.’
‘We discussed ways to work within the industry to improve data acquisition, boost information gathering capabilities and continue to move toward adoption of standards in data management, all of which can reduce industry costs.’
AFMA's Managing Director, Glenn Hurry, attended the summit making a presentation to one of the focus groups; 'We plan to find avenues within the Australian Fisheries Management Forum to carry this work forward'.
|
AFMA’s Board of Directors has announced that their next board meeting will be held in Eden on 17 and 18 April. The board will be hosting drinks for interested industry representatives on the evening of 17 April. Industry members are welcome to attend. There is no cost but we do need you to let us know if you will be attending. For details or to book a spot, please contact Elizabeth Simpson on (02) 6225 5400 or by |
AFMA Observer Manager
AFMA has a new Observer Program Manager.
Garry Collins has taken over as Observer Manager and is looking forward to building on the relationships that the Observer Program has developed with the fishing industry and other clients over a long period of time.
‘The Observer Program has a team of dedicated and professional people who provide a high quality and cost effective data gathering service.’
‘I’m looking forward to working with industry members, particularly those involved in the integrated scientific monitoring program (ISMP) to ensure appropriate levels of observer coverage are achieved.’
‘We have developed excellent working relationships across industry and I am sure these can be maintained and developed further.’
Garry can be contacted on (02) 6225 5367 or garry.collins@afma.gov.au
Offshore Oil & Gas Facilities
Public comment is being sought in relation to the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism report into the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas facilities.
A copy of the report is available online via the ‘What’s New’ section of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism website: www.ret.gov.au.
Comments can be submitted electronically to michael.gardiner@ret.gov.au or by mail to:
Environment, Safety and Security Section
Resources Division
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
GPO Box 1564
Canberra ACT 2601
The closing date for submissions is 9 May 2008. Your submissions, unless you request otherwise, may be published onto the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism website (www.ret.gov.au).
Indonesian fisher fined AUD $120,000
A 28-year-old Indonesian, known as Supriyadi, appeared in court on 28 March charged with being in charge of and using a foreign fishing vessel in the AFZ. The vessel master was caught on 20 January fishing in Australian waters aboard the Aneka Jaya.
A boarding party from the HMAS Pirie found 10 Indonesian nationals with approximately 320 shark trunks, 100kg of shark fin, 10 stingrays and 20 stingray tails as well as an assortment of other fish species.
The fisher was fined AUD $120,000, which will no doubt have a serious impact on his ability to illegally fish in the future. If Supriyadi does not pay the fine within 28 days, a warrant will be issued for his arrest. If he ever returns to Australia or is caught again in Australian waters, without having paid the fine, he will be imprisoned.
AFMA Regional Director, Peter Venslovas, said he was pleased with the outcome of the apprehension; ‘this is a good result for Australian authorities. We’ve stopped a very large boat with very sophisticated equipment from doing more damage by fishing illegally in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.’
Delivering her verdict, Justice Thomas, of the Northern Territory Supreme Court, is reported as saying that the prevalence of illegal fishing in Northern waters was, ‘declining, particularly in relation to serious commercial operations’.
Peter Venslovas agreed saying statistics show that the number of illegal fishing apprehensions had decreased indicating a culture shift among Indonesian fishers.
‘What we are seeing is a real turn-around in the number of fishers trying to enter our waters to fish illegally. Continued visible patrols, education programs in Indonesia and some high-profile cases have helped get the message across; they are finally starting to understand the risk they face by coming to Australian waters to fish illegally.
