Call for Research Proposals for the ETBF

Eastern Tuna MAC is currently calling for individuals or research institutions to submit research proposals for possible funding in 2008/09, with applications closing on Monday, 2 June 2008.

The list of current research priorities for the ETBF and a 5-year Strategic Research Plan detailing Eastern Tuna MAC’s research requirements and research already undertaken in the fishery are available from the Executive Officer or at www.afma.gov.au. All research proposals received must be related to the priorities and strategic research direction set out in this plan. 

Eastern Tuna MAC is the principal advisory body to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority on issues affecting the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF).  In this role, Eastern Tuna MAC supports research that will benefit the fisheries assessment and management of the ETBF.

Please note, it is important that you contact the Research, Review & Recommendation Group Chairman, Dr Robert Campbell on (03) 9239 4681 or Robert.Campbell@csiro.au or Eastern Tuna MAC Executive Officer Ian Freeman, on (02) 6649 2361, 0418 265 558 or finsptyltd@bigpond.com to discuss possible projects and for further details.

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SBT Core and Buffer Zones 2008

Each year, during the winter months, southern bluefin tuna migrate along the New South Wales coast following cooler currents from the south. During this time AFMA institutes restricted access areas (Core and Buffer Zones) in the ETBF to ensure that the incidental capture of southern bluefin tuna by ETBF longline operators is covered by quota.

The SBT Zones in 2008 will be implemented following first capture of SBT off the NSW coast or in advance of the first full moon on midnight 13 June, whichever comes first.

The operation of the SBT zones in 2008 will be similar to 2007. The location of the SBT zones will be posted on the AFMA website at www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/tuna/etbf/mgt/zones which will also provide details of arrangements with which fishers must comply.

Alternatively an update on the location of the SBT zones can be obtained by contacting the ETBF manager on (02) 6225 5313. Please note that the onus is on operators to know the location of the zones..

If you have any questions regarding the management arrangements associated with the SBT zones please contact Trent Timmiss on (02) 6225 5313.

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AFMA board meets in Eden

The April Board meeting was held in Eden on the NSW south coast last week, providing an opportunity for Directors to meet with members of the fishing industry and to see some of the boats operating from Eden.

The meeting was held in the Eden Fishermen’s Recreational Club which is undergoing renovations to make it even more accessible for the community.  The investment by the club is perhaps a reflection of the optimism that directors noted in the local fishermen.

The local newspaper and ABC Radio from Bega took an interest and Chair of the Board, Tony Rundle was interviewed live-to-air on Friday morning discussing fish catches, optimism in the local industry, the change from an Authority to a Commission, and the trial of co-management about to start in Lakes Entrance.  Tony also spoke about the need for the industry to be sustainable, and the key harvest strategies being looked at across Australia.

The next, and final, Board meeting is to be held in Canberra in June.

Summary of decisions made by the Board:

Macquarie Island Longline Fishery

The Board agreed to continue the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery Longline trial in 2008/09, under the same conditions with the exception that the use of blue snoods be removed as a nominated bird mitigation measure.

NORMAC Summary

The Board noted the following outcomes from the 6 & 7 March meeting of NORMAC in Brisbane:

• details of the NPF Optimal Solutions Workshop, held on 5-6 March
• the NORMAC endorsement of the workshop to undertake a cost benefit analysis on four management options
• the NORMAC agreement to allow tiger prawn fishing in an area east of Mornington Island for a one year trial outside of the normal decision rules for the fishery
• the NORMAC agreement that decision rules currently in place to determine the length of the banana and tiger prawn seasons should be reversed to provide for the seasons to be shortened, rather than lengthened
• NORMAC’s noting of the draft NPF 2008/09 budget and approval with some amendments

MAC Appointments

The Board agreed to the following new MAC appointments:

• Mr Stephen McCormack as the Chair of SPFMAC from 1 June until 31 December 2008 on GHATMAC and as the Chair of Scallop MAC from 17 April 2008 until 15 March 2010
• Mr Steve Auld as the AFMA Member on SETMAC from 17 April until 31 December 2008 and on GABMAC from 17 April 2008 until 31 August 2010
• Mr Phil Domaschenz as the AFMA Member on GHATMAC and Mr Andrew Thwaites as the State Government Observer on NORMAC from 17 April until 31 December 2008

The Board also agreed to the reappointment of existing members as follows:

• SETMAC, GHATMAC and SouthMAC from 1 July to 31 December 2008
• SquidMAC from 1 September to 31 December 2008

Allocation Advisory Panel (AAP) for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery

The AFMA Board agreed in principle to establish an AAP to consider the allocation of quota in the ETBF if output controls were to be introduced and ETMAC has provided advice on appropriate terms of reference for the AAP, including the following:

• the species to be considered
• any stock boundaries to be considered
• whether catches by fisheries outside the current ETBF should be covered by quota and should receive a quota allocation

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