Media release.
Considering the views of stakeholders is an important part of Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s (AFMA) management of Commonwealth fisheries, including the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). This will continue to be the case under future proposals that AFMA is considering for how the independent AFMA Commission receives advice about the science of the SPF.
The terms of each of the members of the SPFRAG ended on 30 June 2015. SPFRAG members were thanked in writing by AFMA for the advice they had provided during their term of appointment on 18 June 2015. A notification was also posted to AFMA’s website that AFMA was considering how it would obtain future scientific advice for the SPF.
“I would like to again thank all former SPFRAG members for their time and contribution during their term of appointment,” AFMA’s Acting CEO Dr Nick Rayns said.
“AFMA is currently considering how the independent Commission can best receive future scientific and economic advice about the management of the SPF. This includes the matters raised by stakeholders in relation to the past operations of SPFRAG.
“Key decisions regarding the management of the SPF, such as setting total allowable catches for the 2015-16 fishing year, were made by the AFMA Commission in April.
“Further scientific advice on the fishery is not now required until late 2015. A new scientific advisory process will be in place before this time.
“Future scientific advisory processes will continue to ensure that fishery stakeholders will continue to have the opportunity to provide their views on SPF science.
The AFMA Commission will make a decision on how it will receive future scientific advice on the SPF next month.