The Commission met in Perth on 28-29 October 2015. The meeting was preceded by attendance at the 2015 Seafood Directions conference, at which the Commission Chairman, the Hon Norman Moore, gave a presentation on “Being proud of what we have achieved in fisheries management.” This was well received.
While in Perth, Commissioners and AFMA senior executives also met with the Commonwealth Fisheries Association to discuss current issues including the performance of Commonwealth fishers. Commissioners also visited Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative in North Fremantle to inspect the operations and discuss the experiences of a seafood exporter.
Key decisions taken by the Commission at its meeting included:
Amendment of fisheries management plans
The Commission agreed to consultations with industry on amending the management plans for the following fisheries to remove the requirement to carry a copy of the Statutory Fishing Rights extract on board the boat:
- Bass Straight Central Zone Scallop Fishery
- Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery
- Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery
- Southern Bluefin Tuna
- Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery
Improving performance of the South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC)
The Commission agreed to AFMA further investigating and consulting with stakeholders on options to ensure SEMAC can provide the best advice to AFMA in the most cost effective way possible. In so doing, the Commission noted that the findings may extend to other MACs.
Appointment of AFMA members to two MACs
Following changes in AFMA staff roles and responsibilities, the Commission agreed to appoint Dr Marcus Finn as the AFMA Member of the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC) and Ms Sally Weekes as the AFMA Member of the Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Management Advisory Committee (ScallopMAC). Both appointments are for the period from 1 November 2015 until 30 June 2016.
Other business
The Commission also discussed the content of AFMA’s draft submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry on large capacity fishing vessels; the process for and timing of setting of Total Allowable Commercial Catches for the 2016-17 fishing season in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery; possible revision of management arrangements for pink ling east following receipt of further scientific information on stock status; and AFMA’s progress in developing an Environmental Risk Assessment-Environmental Risk Management Users Guide.
Norman Moore
Chairman
November 2015