Volume 5, Issue 12, 3 June 2008 [see previous editions]
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VMS: The story so far…
In December 2005, the Government directed AFMA to enhance monitoring of fishing activities in Commonwealth waters. In response, AFMA began introducing the integrated computer vessel monitoring system (ICVMS or VMS). From 1 July 2007, all vessels fishing in Commonwealth waters were required to have a VMS unit fitted and operational.
There have been issues with monitoring the units within AFMA. With the purchase of new hardware and improvements in the software these issues have been rectified.
Most of the other teething problems experienced by the VMS program during its first year revolved around supply of power to VMS units.
Many boats have only limited capacity power supplies. Initially, VMS units were designed for 24-hour-a-day use ensuring round-the-clock monitoring of all vessels in Commonwealth waters. Over the course of the last 12 months, though, some fishers raised concerns about availability of round-the-clock power on some vessels. AFMA has worked with these fishers to implement temporary switch off (TSO) periods.
Fishers can now sign a TSO declaration to state that they will not be fishing with a particular vessel for a particular period of time, allowing them to temporarily switch off that vessel’s VMS unit. However, fishers caught signing a declaration then fishing with a VMS unit switched off face significant penalties and possible court action.
AFMA also originally stipulated that each VMS unit be connected to a personal computer or data terminal for two-way communications. Concerns were raised about the additional power required to run a computer on smaller vessels.
AFMA instituted a program of exemptions for operators where installing a computer would be problematic and a number of fishers are no longer required to have a computer fitted.
The VMS program has allowed AFMA to consistently monitor all Commonwealth fisheries and has allowed for the collection of more comprehensive and therefore more valuable fisheries data.
The introduction of compulsory VMS has also ensured that Australia continues to comply with its international obligations.
AFMA Managing Director, Glenn Hurry, said the benefits, to date, have been significant.
‘We’ve collected location and effort data which can now be linked to observer data. That gives us a far better understanding of each fishery and allows us to implement better management arrangements.’
‘Log book data and VMS data can and will be cross-checked to ensure operators are accurately and consistently reporting where and when they fish.’
Threat Abatement Plan
The draft Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for Impacts of marine debris on vertebrate marine life has been released for public comment by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). Those with an interest in the TAP are welcome to provide comments about the draft to DEWHA.
The public comment period closes at 5:00pm on Thursday 14 August 2008. Public comment is not restricted to those involved in fisheries; you are welcome to forward this notice to others you believe may be interested.
‘Injury and fatality to vertebrate marine life caused by ingestion of, or entanglement in, harmful marine debris’ was listed as a key threatening process in August 2003 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This draft TAP was prepared in response to that listing.
AFMA has been consulted about the draft TAP and will also be providing comment throughout the public comment process. The draft TAP, a background paper, and information about the call for comment can be accessed on the DEWHA website. There are a number of proposed actions in the draft TAP relevant to fisheries. Of particular note are the following:
1.1 – Australian Government in consultation with the states and territories to facilitate the review of existing arrangements relevant to the control of marine debris on vessels smaller than 400 gross tonnes (including fishing vessels).
1.2 – State, territory and Australian Governments and appropriate local bodies to facilitate studies of port facilities for the disposal of fishing gear, including assessment of availability, capacity and cost.
1.7 – Australian Government agencies in collaboration with state and territory governments to identify appropriate responses and responsibilities for recovery of hazardous debris at sea, notably large derelict fishing nets.
1.8 – State, territory and Australian governments, in collaboration with industry, to identify and consider appropriate measures for incorporating waste reporting and management requirements (reporting and return of rubbish, damaged gear, etc… to port for disposal) into fishery management arrangements as appropriate.
1.9 – State, territory and Australian governments, in collaboration with the fishing industry, to promote best practice waste management strategies on board fisheries vessels, including the uptake of existing codes of conduct, and identify any need for the development of new codes of conduct.
2.5 – Australian Government to facilitate a feasibility study on introducing marking of fishing gear so that it may be identified as originating from a specific fishery. The feasibility study will also consider the practical implications of marking fishing gear and the implications of derelict gear being traced back to fisheries operations.
Any comments or enquiries you have should be emailed, faxed or posted to:
Director
Migratory and Marine Biodiversity Section
DEWHA GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: marinedebris@environment.gov.au
Fax: 02 6274 2455
SBT Core and Buffer Zones 2008
Following the first capture of southern bluefin tuna off the east coast of Australia, the SBT Zones have been instituted in the ETBF for 2008.
The operation of the SBT zones in 2008 is similar to 2007 whereby the current location of the SBT zones is posted on the AFMA website and provides details of other arrangements that must be complied with.
Alternatively an update on the location of the SBT zones can be obtained by contacting the ETBF manager on (02) 6225 5313.
If you have any questions regarding the management arrangements associated with the SBT zones please contact Trent Timmiss on (02) 6225 5313.
