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23rd September, 2004
Media Release
Seafood Industry to Develop
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
for Aquaculture
The Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council (TFIC) has been successful in gaining $80,000 funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), for a two-year project that will see the development of EMS templates for the oyster, abalone and finfish marine farming sectors in Tasmania. Total funding and 'in-kind' contributions value this project at more than $390,000.
The Chief Executive of TFIC Bob Lister said "It has been very encouraging to see the enthusiasm with which these various stakeholders have contributed to this important project.
This initiative signals an historic partnership between those aquaculture industry sectors, along with TFIC, the FRDC, and the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE) Marine Resources branch, all of whom have been generous in their respective roles as project partners.
With EMS now featuring as a high priority for both the Australian Government and other primary production sectors nation-wide, we are keen to be involved at the leading edge of its integration into the demonstrably responsible and sustainable use of Tasmanian marine resources for aquaculture production.
We have appointed Dr Judith-Anne Marshall as our 'EMS for Aquaculture' Project Facilitator and believe that with her experience in working with the marine farming sector, we can be confident of a top quality outcome for the seafood industry.
Dr Marshall will work closely with both industry stakeholders and regulators to develop generic EMS template documents for the oyster, abalone and finfish sectors at a State level.
These documents will provide the platform or basis from which individual companies or regional stakeholders will be able to have a 'jump start' when they develop their own individual EM Systems, should they choose to do so.
Crucial to the effectiveness of these templates will be the integration of nationally recognised Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) principles for aquaculture, including hazard analysis and risk assessment tools.
This will allow assessment and the strategic planning of management actions to influence impacts upon the industry from the environment, and to control impacts from the industry upon the environment.
This project will give our industry sectors an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that they are responsible stewards of the Tasmanian estuarine and near coastal environments", Mr Lister said.
Bob Lister can be contacted on 03 6224 2332 or 0408 146 960
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