Fishing Today Issue 15/6 Dec.02/Jan.03
TFIC News
By Bob Lister
It’s that time once again...
It may be the ho, ho, ho and festive season but it is also time to consider nominations for the election of nine directors to serve on the TFIC Board for the next two years.
A yellow nomination form has been included as an insert in this issue of Fishing Today which will enable interested persons to put their names forward to serve as future Directors on Tasmania’s peak seafood industry body.
You can make yourself available as a candidate or nominate any other industry member provided the nominee holds a current Fishing Licence (personal), a current Fish Processing Licence or a current Marine Farming Licence. Nominations close at 12 noon on Monday 3 March 2003.
The Tasmanian Electoral Office will again conduct the TFIC elections and their full page advertisement appears in this issue of Fishing Today.
When nominations close if there are more candidate nominations than the nine positions available a ballot will take place with voting papers being distributed from Wednesday 12 March 2003.
The ballot will close at 10 a.m. on 2 April 2003 and the Tasmanian Electoral Office will announce the successful candidates as new TFIC Directors within a day or so.
At our last TFIC Board meeting I asked all current Directors to consider renominating but it is of course up to our members to decide who they want to represent them in 2003/04.
TFIC has been representing members best interests for over 16 years and we work closely with the Australian Seafood Industry Council and other similar interstate peak bodies.
The contribution of Directors to a wide range of local and national seafood management issues is a big responsibility particularly as our industry produces seafood products in excess of $300m. per annum at beach price and we employ around 7,000 Tasmanians in mainly coastal areas.
If you wish to be a leader in our industry and to contribute to the betterment of seafood producers and processors then this is your opportunity to commit time and energy to a very worthy cause. The very best time to make that commitment is right now on the yellow form.
Understanding Taxation requirements
As part of the Australian Taxation Office primary production partnership initiative there is an opportunity for TFIC to sponsor a small-business education program on taxation requirements.
It is possible there are members in the State who are encountering difficulties with tax and GST issues who could benefit from instruction and advice at a small business seminar slanted towards the seafood industry and I am considering asking the ATO to assist with meetings in say Hobart and Northern Tasmania.
Before we progress this matter further it would be helpful if we could have an indication of who may be interested in such a program. If you are interested would you please give me a call at TFIC. If there is minimal interest we won’t progress this matter.
Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery allocations
There are 44 permit holders in the F, G and H zones many of whom would be concerned about the AFMA draft Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan and draft Assessment Report. Some of the recommendations proposed by the independent Allocation Advisory Panel are difficult to understand and will impact severely on our local industry.
Permit holders in the F, G and H areas have been, in our view, unfairly penalised by the AAP recommendations in being allocated only 4.35 hookdays out of the possible 145 hookdays, or just 3% for historic permits.
This 3% recommendation contrasts remarkably with the 1999 AAP recommendations which would have allowed a 40% allocation. It is to us unbelievable and very suspicious that two independent panels could come up with such a wide difference in opinion.
With the total fishery hooks possibly decreasing from 12 million to 10 million the F, G and H hookdays are probably around 3 days only which of course is ridiculous given that all 44 F, G and H permit holders currently pay around $2,950 in permit fees per annum.
Clearly in our view the AAP recommendations are biased towards NSW based fishermen and a miniscule allocation of three hookdays is unbelievably inappropriate and of course quite unacceptable.
The hookdays allocation suggested by the Panel would make it impossible to profitably activate F, G and H permits or to access known or possible unquotaed pelagic resources in southern Australian waters.
Tasmania has historically been most unfairly treated in both the SBT and SENT fisheries and the discrimination as proposed in the AAP recommendations is in every way an insult to responsible local operators in this fishery.
We have strongly urged the AFMA Board to adopt a sensible and responsible approach to F, G and H permit holders and to allocate a fair and reasonable opportunity for these fishermen to utilise their permits and to access available resources off southern Australia.
Release of Seal Strategy
Minister Bryan Green recently released the Seal/Fishery Interaction Management Strategy which was a report prepared by the Marine and Marine Industries Council covering the difficult issue of managing the seal problems around Tasmania.
We have supported the release of this strategy document made up of two publications including a background report although there is little joy for the wild fishing industry and particularly for those members who have been, in many cases, adversely impacted by the seal problem.
Local interactions with seals are currently estimated to cost commercial fishermen over $0.8m per year and the Tasmanian aquaculture industry in excess of $12m. per annum.
Seals are a protected species but the costly impact on our overall commercial operations is increasing and is of considerable concern. The current generation of seals around Tasmania have little fear of man and are in fact attracted to fishing and aquaculture activities as an easy food source.
Being inquisitive by nature they do interact with humans and as seal numbers increase so do the incidences of concern as highlighted in the management strategy. Positive management protocols are necessary for dealing with the increasing number of seals as are deterrent options aimed at minimising interactions and possible injury to humans.
Incidentally we are talking about very large and aggressive seals sometimes over 200 kgs in weight many of which carry a strain of tuberculosis.
TFIC representatives will be participating in a further program to consider appropriate protocols and standards for dealing with seal interaction and in the trialling of approved mitigation measures.
In the meantime if you would like a copy of the two document strategy please ring us at TFIC.
2003/2004 State Budget Submission
Our annual trek to meet with the State Budget Committee is on again and this year our representations in writing and orally will include:
• recommendations to establish a fisheries structural adjustment fund to address current pressures and to encourage future adjustment of fishing effort;
• extension of mobile phone networks and communications options for remote coastal areas including a subsidy on satellite phones;
• financial assistance to help slipway operators meet environmental requirements;
• elimination of double dipping which currently allows the government to apply stamp duty on the GST component of some financial transactions;
• the establishment of a Seafood Promotion Board with a view to actively promoting all the good things that we produce;
• additional funding for MAST to ensure that marine facilities can be maintained in a reasonable and timely manner and to provide new and upgraded berthing facilities, and
• maximising Federal matching funds for research and development via FRDC.
Marine Protected Areas and all that...
In previous articles and correspondence I have attempted to keep members informed about the possible introduction of MPAs at both State and Federal level.
Whilst the intent and goal posts keep moving there is at last some clarification on what is proposed, the timing and possible impacts on our valuable fishing operations.
At the time of preparing this article the following is the current position –
• State MPA proposals – the RPDC is progressing the Minister’s reference to consider the establishment of MPAs in the Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour area and the Kent group of islands. Following initial written submissions on the background report, RPDC hearings were held at the end of November and the RPDC Panel will release draft recommendations for public exhibition by the end of February 2003. There will then follow a series of port meetings and the RPDC then intend to provide recommendations to the Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment no later than the end of May 2003.
• Environment Australia proposals – the Bonney Upwelling and Bass Strait Sponge Beds conservation assessments are being progressed but at this time it is unlikely that "no take" MPAs will be established at least in the foreseeable future. There are other opportunities to protect perceived unique circumstances which we have been promoting and which EA is now viewing as realistic options.
• National Oceans Office – South East Regional Marine Plan – the NOO has now declared its priorities in a number of draft broad areas of interest around the South East region of Australia and which includes eight areas in Commonwealth waters adjacent to Tasmania. The current position on each of these possible MPA areas is at best very vague with little or no justification in support of any restrictions over these areas of water. Discussions are continuing with a wide range of industry sectors including the fishing industry, oil and gas operators and shipping transport people.
Whilst there is very little good news in these proposals being put forward by our elected representatives and government agencies we are endeavouring to minimise the impact on our fishing activities and on regional communities which rely so heavily on our industry in this State.
You can be assured yet again that we are taking all actions that are appropriate both in writing and in face-to-face representations to ensure that TFIC members interests are promoted and protected however it is likely that all of the above will eventually involve some restrictions over marine areas where fishermen have traditionally earned their living.
Prompt Action needed by Marine Farmers
In the last issue of Fishing Today I highlighted the need for marine farmers to abide by lease conditions that require specific marking of external boundaries. I also mentioned the penalties and liabilities that could flow from non compliance.
Unfortunately some farmers do not appear to have heeded this and other warnings from DPIWE and the Tasmanian Aquaculture Council so I can only repeat here the need for quick action. Infringement notices apply and difficult safety and legal liability issues could result unless action is taken immediately.
MAST have also advised of a number of incidents with gear being found outside lease boundaries some of which has involved accidents with vessels. Plastic piping and trip lines floating outside of lease boundaries are illegal under the Pilotage and Navigation By Laws. MAST will be actively pursuing those who create a hazard.
You have been warned – many times.
TFIC Board considerations
At the last TFIC Board meeting your Directors considered a wide range of issues including:
- the National Standard for Commercial Vessels,
- proposed MPAs in Tasmania and those areas being promoted by Environment Australia and the National Oceans Office,
- King Island port charges,
- AFMA compliance,
- the review of the Living Marine Resources Management Act,
- research and development funding,
- Marine Farm lease boundary requirements,
- the Slipway Management Project,
- TFIC elections,
- Margaret J coroner recommendations,
- a State Budget submission,
- the Seals Management strategy,
- Limited Coxswain changes,
- CDMA phone needs,
- the southern shark fishery
- ...and a whole lot more...
If you would like any information on these and other current issues please give me a call at TFIC.
Compliments of the season to all
On behalf of us all at TFIC may I express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has assisted us through what has been an unbelievably busy year. The volume and magnitude of issues is enormous and we hope that all our efforts have been of assistance and have achieved the desired results.
Ralph, Anne, Julie and I wish you and your family a very joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year and we look forward to again supporting and promoting the best interest of all TFIC members in 2003.