Up until now, fishers in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery and the Bass Straight Central Zone Scallop Fishery were allowed to take fish species that are subject to quota home for personal use without it being deducted from quota holdings. But starting from 1 May 2014, fishers will have any quoted fish taken for personal use deducted from their quota holdings.
This new rule brings both fisheries into alignment with all other AFMA managed fisheries so that any quoted fish that skippers, owners, crew etc wish to take home must come out of their quota.
It allows us to fix up the inconsistency and complexity of rules between the fisheries, we’ll be able to better identify illegal or undocumented fish, and it helps us get a more accurate understanding of the amount of fish being taken from our fisheries.
Concession holders will receive more information about the changes in the pre-season mail-out in April 2014.
For more information please contact Vyt Vilkaitis, Manager Policy, on 02 6225 5425 or vyt.vilkaitis@afma.gov.au.