Fishing Today 17/1 February/March 2004
TFIC News
By Bob Lister
Marine Protected Areas decision at last
The new Minister for the Environment Judy Jackson has announced the intended proclamation of marine reserves at Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour and the Kent Group of Islands in Bass Strait. A brief explanation for each area is as follows:-
Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour
There will be six sanctuary zones (no take) at the Inner Saddle, James Kelly Basin, Upper Payne Bay, inside Breaksea and Kathleen Islands, Hannant Inlet and Bathurst Channel/Harbour.
The balance of the Port Davey area will be a habitat protection zone (restricted take) out to the National Park boundary from North Head to Hilliard Head. In this area abalone diving, rock lobster potting and line fishing will be permitted but in all areas of Port Davey trawling, netting, long lining and fish trapping will not be allowed. The no take restriction over productive fishing waters will result in an estimated loss or relocation of effort as follows:-
Abalone: 15 tonne per annum but potentially up to 30 tonne per annum
Rock Lobster: 15 tonne per annum but potentially up to 30 tonne per annum
Scalefish: up to 4 tonne per annum
The value of this catch is between $1m per annum and $2 m per annum.
Kent Group of Islands
All State waters around Erith and Dover Islands and all of the Murray Passage will be a sanctuary zone (no take) and the area around Deal Island out to 3 nautical miles – except the Murray Passage side – will be a habitat protection zone (restricted take). In this restricted take area abalone diving, rock lobster potting and line fishing will be permitted but trawling, netting, long lining and fish trapping will not be allowed.
This loss of productive waters around Erith and Dover Islands in the no take sanctuary zone and restrictions around Deal Island will result in a loss or displacement of:-
Abalone: 5 tonne per annum of blacklip but potentially up to 15 tonne per annum
Rock Lobster: half a tonne per annum
Scalefish: up to 3 tonne per annum
This represents a loss of $200,000 per annum and potentially $500,000 per annum.
Additionally in the southern shark fishery adjacent to the Kent Group the loss of shark catch (or displacement) in the area as gillnetting and long lining will not be permitted is estimated at 100 tonne or a minimum of $600,000 per annum.
There are still several unresolved issues such as -
• presumably the carrying of fish, fishing gear and anchoring of vessels in any MPA of any classification will be permitted for practical and safety reasons,
• effective surveillance and enforcement will be very important in these remote areas in conjunction with the commercial fishing industry and needs to be given special consideration and
• special adjustment payments to persons who may be displaced by the imposition of MPAs need to be considered and if necessary progressed.
We are of course disappointed that the Government’s proposed introduction of MPAs means the loss of valuable and productive fishing grounds at both Port Davey and around the Kent Group of Islands. TFIC has very strongly negotiated with the Liberal and Labor Governments and Ministers over some eight years or so on both these proposals and the decision does mean that the Government has been listening to at least some of our concerns .
We recognise the Government’s desire to provide an acceptable balance between conservation and resource use along with the benefits of biodiversity and we have always participated in this process on a cooperative basis. Unfortunately however the fishing industry is to be penalised for benefits to the community and an immediate loss or relocation of effort from the restricted areas of some 140 tonnes of seafood worth about $1.9m per annum will result. Potentially this loss could be as high as 180 tonnes of product worth around $3.1m per annum.
The introduction of restrictive sanctuary zones and habitat protection zones are of debatable value to the protection of commercial fish species when we have world class sustainable fisheries management in place with total allowable annual catches and quota controls etc.
Cabinet changes affect State seafood industry
Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon recently announced a new-look Cabinet line up following Treasurer David Crean’s decision to resign from his portfolio and not to recontest his Upper House seat due to ill health.
There are several changes to Ministerial positions which affect our State seafood industry and they are recorded here for members’ interest -
• Steven Kons is the new Minister for Primary Industries and Water replacing Bryan Green.
• Judy Jackson is the new Minister for Environment and Planning.
• Bryan Green has been allocated the Infrastructure, Energy and Resources portfolio with responsibility for MAST and the Port Corporations based in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
• David Llewellyn remains as Minister for Police and Public Safety.
New AFMA Board from February
Senator Ian Macdonald recently announced four new appointments to the Board of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
Dr Wendy Craik remains as the Chairperson for another three years as does the government director in Daryl Quinlivan from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Brian Jeffriess from South Australia remains on the Board. Brian is the Chairman and CEO of the Tuna Boat Owners Association and a former Chairman and Deputy Chair of the Australian Seafood Industry Council with extensive fishing industry experience.
The four new Directors are –
• John Bennett (Tasmanian) is the Commissioner of the Tasmania Supreme Court and a former Tasmanian Minister for Lands, and National Parks and Wildlife. He also chaired the South East Trawl Management Advisory Committee and was a member of the Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel. He has excellent legal, economic, financial and business skills.
• Ian Cartwright (Tasmania) is a Director of Thalassa Consulting which works in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. He has experience in fisheries-related science, economics, marketing, research administration and management.
• Dr Keith Sainsbury (Tasmania) is a Senior Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO, Chairs the Subantarctic Fisheries Assessment Committee and is the Scientific Member of SouthMAC. He has expertise in marine science and ecology, and natural resource management.
• Richard Stevens (Queensland) is a fisheries adviser with a private consultancy, specialising in government relations. He chairs the NSW Fisheries Resource Conservation and Assessment Council, the Southern Bluefin Tuna R&D Subprogram Steering Committee and the S.A. Fisheries Research Advisory Board. He is a former Managing Director with AFMA.
There are many challenges ahead for the new AFMA Board members and I am sure we all wish them well as they consider the multitude of issues facing our industry.
Future uncertain for Deepwater Jetty at Triabunna
For nearly 100 years this important jetty has been a part of the Triabunna community. Coastal steamers regularly visited the jetty unloading building materials and coal and to take onboard wool and farm produce including apples and pears as well as frozen shark and cod for the armed forces during the Second World War.
Today the jetty is nearing the end of its useful life and despite recent planking and bollard maintenance it is in generally poor structural condition. MAST is responsible for this facility and on advice from engineers Sinclair Knight and Merz believe the jetty has a remaining life of around two years and would cost approximately $400,000 to rebuild. A maximum displacement limit of 60 tonnes for vessels prevents larger vessels and trawlers from using the jetty to unload or as a lay up berth so existing use is already restricted.
However the jetty is used to unload local rock lobster (60t p.a.), abalone (30t p.a.) and scalefish (50t p.a.) and some smaller Commonwealth fishing vessels (120t p.a.) as well as by recreational vessels and the public also regularly fish from the structure. Fresh water or high water temperatures often prevent the unloading of rock lobster at the overcrowded town jetty and this is the only all weather deepwater jetty between Melbourne and Hobart.
MAST has decided that it cannot justify the cost of rebuilding and is negotiating with a local partnership to accept a 10 year crown land lease over the jetty. This would change the jetty from a public facility to private ownership with proposed security gates and 2 metre high chain wire fences excluding the general public from using the wharf.
I want to make it very clear that I have no beef with the proposed lessees who are obviously very enthusiastic businessmen but rather with MAST and the State Government who do not seem terribly concerned about this important marine facility. As part of their negotiations with MAST the partners would be required to construct a lower level landing on the eastern side of the jetty to facilitate loading and unloading of vessels. With no immediate vehicle access the unloading would involve using hand trolleys to move fish up a narrow timber walkway to the road which would be very difficult, expensive and time consuming.
I joined a local delegation at a meeting with the then Minister for Infrastructure Jim Cox and we agreed that a combined submission would be presented to the Minister by 17 January 2004 to justify the retention in public ownership and rebuilding of the jetty. In conjunction with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, the Orford/Triabunna Region Chamber of Commerce and TFIC we lodged that joint submission with the Minister by the due date and are currently lobbying the new Minister for Infrastructure Bryan Green for his support.
My major concern is that MAST currently appears to have adopted a policy of divesting themselves of problem marine facilities that require a considerable cost to maintain or upgrade rather than putting in the extra effort to justify a request to the Government for specific funds.
Australia Day Awards for Industry Members
What a wonderful surprise to read of Peter and Una Rockliff being awarded a medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list. Their Petuna Seafoods business at East Devonport has certainly grown and expanded over the last 20 years or so with fisheries development, seafood processing and most recently a very large aquaculture component.
Whilst I am sure neither of them expected such an award it must be very satisfying to be officially recognised as a very strong partnership that has achieved so much. I am sure I speak on behalf of our whole industry in extending our heartiest congratulations on these very well deserved awards in recognition of Peter and Una’s combined years of service and involvement in our commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.
Southern Shark uncertainty continues
Late last year the Board of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) accepted all the recommendations of an Independent Allocation Review Panel (IARP) which considered how quota should be redistributed for school and gummy shark which is now incorporated into the Gillnet, Hook and Trap fishery.
The review arose from recent decisions by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court which requested that AFMA reconsider its original method of quota allocation introduced in 2001 and to take account of factors other than catch history.
Under the new formula adopted by AFMA, Southern Shark Fishery permit holders received a revised allocation for 2004 in proportion to:
In a number of instances the decision to reallocate quota significantly changed individual existing quota allocations thereby seriously impacting on several hard working fishermen through no fault of their own. I am now advised for instance that three Tasmanian-based operators in the fishery have experienced significant reductions (more than 500 kilograms) to their previous quota allocation and another six operators have had their quota reduced by less than 500 kilograms. Eighteen Tasmanian operators have had their quota allocations increased, including 16 operators whose quota has increased by more than 500 kilograms.
As a result of the reductions to previous quota entitlements of individual shark fishermen TFIC urged the Federal Minister for Fisheries Senator Ian Macdonald to adopt a compassionate, realistic and fair approach and to recognise the severe impact these recommendations may have on the individuals and families of the people adversely affected.
The IARP also made recommendations relating to the issues of possible compensation and structural adjustment. AFMA and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are currently investigating the issues raised by the IARP and TFIC and it is hoped that a public response to these issues will be made early in 2004. In the meantime, operators who are unhappy with their quota allocations have the normal right to appeal their allocation. Shark operators have endured uncertainty in regard to quota allocations in recent years, however the recommendations of the IARP and AFMA’s endorsement and implementation of the recommendations have been for the stated purpose of establishing certainty and security in the fishery.
The unfortunate outcome of these changes is that shark fishermen will continue to suffer under a period of uncertainty probably for years.
Changes to Fishing Today being considered
The magazine you are currently reading will shortly undergo several changes hopefully for the better. Fishing Today is owned jointly by DPIWE and TFIC and we have an independent editor in Dr Tim Walker who has been contracted to produce six issues of the magazine each year. A scoping review is currently underway which will certainly be restrained by costs of production but will include options for a new format and layout and for instance if we can afford it more colour pages.
If readers wish to be part of this review your constructive comments would be most welcome and should be directed to DPIWE's Wes Ford or myself at TFIC.
Hobart based fishermen under pressure
Someone once said there are no certainties in life – if you are a commercial fisherman based in Hobart that saying sure has a special meaning. Victoria Dock fishermen have been and are under pressure on a range of issues which are likely to go on for several years. The only good news is that recent changes to fishermen parking arrangements and the issuing of parking permits has simplified parking for all home port and visiting fishermen and most importantly has stopped illegal parking around Victoria Dock.
The other issues are unfortunately not so easy to fix. There is a strong lobby to construct a tramway around Sullivans Cove with tracks to be laid in the narrow corridor between Davey Street and Victoria Dock which is an important area used by fishermen whilst servicing nearby vessels. TFIC joined with the National Trust to appeal this development application with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal but unfortunately we were not successful in a split decision.
Whilst we have no public position on the tram project itself we are continuing to lobby aldermen with the Hobart City Council to change the tram route but probably the ultimate decision will be whether the tram project goes ahead or not around Sullivans Cove.
The other issue is the Hobart Waterfront Project which may impact on fishing vessels and operators. In my opinion to have a working commercial fishing fleet located just a few blocks away from the centre of Hobart is a fabulous, fabulous asset for our city and for the State of Tasmania.
The working docks and the availability of local seafood from local fishing boats is a major attraction for both locals and tourists and the picture of the fishing fleet with Mount Wellington in the background is the most enduring of all the wonderful images of Tasmania. We are just so very fortunate in this busy modern world to have a unique and historic waterfront which we all love to admire and to visit just to soak up the atmosphere – and right at the front doorstep of our capital city.
Victoria Dock, Macquarie 1 and 2, Kings Pier marina and the Princes 1 and 2 wharves are all vitally important to the Tasmanian commercial fishing industry and need to be maintained and preserved for that purpose as part of our historic past, the current and for our future. We also need to maintain adequate adjacent parking facilities particularly around Victoria Dock to efficiently service the fishing vessels and to ensure that those wonderful images can remain and attract even more people to our working docks.
Hobart without a working fishing fleet would be unthinkable.
Any future plans for the Hobart waterfront need to build on this magnificent asset Tasmanians have enjoyed for around 200 years by energetically maintaining and protecting the facilities needed for our working fishing fleet as part of our historic past and our exciting future. You may be assured that TFIC will continue to lobby on this issue in support of our members best interests.
TFIC Board News
At the last TFIC Board meeting Directors discussed many items including National Diving Standards, future planning issues, industry education in schools, a reintroduced safety induction check list, lobbying for the State budget, MAST issues, MPAs in Tasmania and the south east region, the Living Marine Resources Management Act review, Hobart port issues, occupational health and safety, an export growth strategy, an EMS officer for aquaculture, the giant kelp report and a whole lot more.
Board meeting dates for 2004 have been agreed as 16 February, 26 April (including TFIC 18th AGM), 21 June, 16 August, 11 October and 6 December.