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TFIC News December 2003/January 2004
By Bob Lister
Update on the SERMP process
Industry input into the South-east Regional Marine Plan (SERMP) is continuing with several meetings held to firm up on potential protected areas which would minimise the impact on our industry. Representatives from each fishing sector have outlined their preferences in the various broad areas of interest (BAOI) but particularly in the Zeehan BAOI off North West Tasmania. At this stage the Federal Government is committed to the release of the South-east Regional Marine Plan in March 2004 which will include candidate MPAs for both the Murray (S.A.) and Zeehan (Tas.) broad areas of interest.
As the plan relates to waters outside of 3nm all south east Commonwealth fisheries are involved along with State managed fisheries that occur outside 3nm including rock lobster and giant crab. There are seven BAOI in waters adjacent to Tasmania. Whatever the results are in the long term it will definitely impact on our fisheries with no take and probably multiple use MPAs in Commonwealth waters which will inevitably restrict fishing activity.
The only good news is that the Federal Government has agreed in principle to a structural adjustment package for commercial fishermen and others adversely affected by new zoning plans for the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland. This at least sets a precedent and our representations for financial assistance associated with impacts on our industry caused by the SERMP may now be considered in a favourable light.
State MPA options still under consideration
At the time of writing this article Minister Bryan Green has not yet announced any decision on the MPA proposals for Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour and the Kent Group of Islands in Bass Strait. Directors discussed this matter with the Minister at the last TFIC Board meeting in Hobart and the Minister is very much aware of industry concerns about the RPDC recommendations. We were fortunate enough to have Dean Lisson, Greg Woodham and Chris Parker at the meeting and they actively contributed their practical views on the options under consideration. I understand the Minister is still considering the submissions he has received and that an announcement should be made before Christmas. After many years of negotiations I am hopeful that the Minister will bear in mind our very real concerns and that the decisions will ensure that the impacts on our industry are minimised.
Transfer of Fishing Licences and the Duties Act 2001
A new initiative will provide a faster and more efficient service to fishermen who wish to transfer fishing licences. In order to transfer a fishing licence, duty is required to be assessed and paid before lodging transfer/assignment of rights applications with the DPIWE, Marine Resources Licensing Section. Currently this requires fishermen to submit any instrument evidencing or effecting the transaction (usually the agreement for sale) with the State Revenue Office (SRO) before submitting the transfer/assignment of rights applications with Marine Resources.
In order to provide a more practical and streamlined service to fishermen, from 15 December 2003 duty may be paid directly to Marine Resources who will stamp and remit duty to the SRO. This means in most circumstances fishermen will not be required to submit the transaction at the SRO first. In the case of more complex transactions where duty implications are uncertain, documents may still require assessment by the SRO. In these circumstances you will be referred by Marine Resources to the SRO for assessment or advice. The same supporting documentation applies and you will need to provide documents and evidence including the contract of sale and the licence application to Marine Resources.
For further information contact the SRO on 03 6233 8563 or Steve Withers at DPIWE Marine Resources Licensing Section on 03 6233 3543
New approach to Scallops needed
This year’s State scallop season was very successful with plenty of quality scallops available off the east coast of Tasmania. The fishery however has been marred and restricted by low returns to fishermen and to a lesser extent to processors which has spoilt what is an excellent fishery.
About 31 vessels participated and the catch was approximately 3,500t which is well down on the potential total allowable catch of 4,200 tonnes. Availability of scallops was not the problem but rather it became unviable to catch and process them due to the very low returns and a limited market.
We should now think ahead to the new scallop season which is most likely to occur because of the known abundance of available and mature scallops in many areas. Apart from the normal fishery management arrangements the other issues that need to be addressed include –
• more processing capacity is needed in Tasmania;
• we must overcome splitting labour force problems;
• clear identification of fresh Tasmanian scallops from the competition;
• quality control of product through to the customer, and
• the need for a co-ordinated selling program particularly to other States and overseas.
In particular it is pretty obvious that our genuine Tassie scallops could and should be marketed much better, so perhaps we need to look at new ways to sell scallops. We need to maximise the return to fishermen at the same time as keeping retail prices in seafood outlets at realistic levels. Perhaps we should capitalise on Minister Bryan Green’s recently announced plan to drive primary industry growth with the release of his State of Growth approach. With the support of the State Government we could for instance form a partnership including Brand Tasmania and the Department of Economic Development to plan and maximise the return to all Tasmanians from our scallop resource.
It could be that we need to package our unique product with specific labelling that highlights important information such as the date and area of harvest, the vessel involved and processing details. We clearly have an excellent quality and special Tassie product which should be maximised in every sense so there is a fair bit of work to be done before June next year. If you want to be part of the movement of change for the better please give us a call.
Oyster Company wins Webster award
Congratulations are due to Craig Lockwood and his staff at Moulting Bay Oysters who recently won the Aquaculture and Commercial Fishing category in the prestigious Webster Tasmanian Growth Awards. The awards recognises progressive farmers, fishermen and food processors who achieve sustainable growth through innovation and best practice.
Moulting Bay Oysters was established in 1993 and the company’s primary production is in Pacific oysters grown in both intertidal and sub-tidal waters in Georges Bay, St Helens. Their product is marketed live, half-shell fresh and half-shell frozen. The company is seeking to differentiate itself as a low cost producer of premium grade product targeted at new domestic and export markets.
Moulting Bay’s commitment to qualify is reflected in a recent investment in a grading system that grades on weight and size at a rate of 300/minute, providing markets with uniform and consistent oysters to tight specifications. Moulting Bay Oysters presently employs 12 permanent staff and up to four casual employees in peak season.
Moulting Bay Oysters has developed a high level of innovation and market knowledge in the development of a sustainable and growing business and is a very worthy winner of this award.
Load zones on jetties - a fair go for everyone
You will note on many MAST jetties and wharves that a section of the kerb is painted either yellow or in black and white stripes. The painted kerb signifies a load zone established on the jetty for short term use only. Vessels should not be left unattended at a load zone, and they should only remain at the load zone whilst they are being either loaded or unloaded.
Load zones are needed because MAST jetties are public facilities and all users should get a fair go at knowing there is a space available for loading and unloading. This includes commercial fisherman with a catch, commercial vessels with passengers or cargo and recreational vessels with stores and passengers. MAST decides on the need and position of load zones with local regular users of each facility. The load zones are therefore established at the wish of the marine community, and should be respected by all.
We need voluntary compliance with the rules for load zones however users should note that penalties (including on the spot fines) can apply where vessels are berthed incorrectly in load zones. A new loading and unloading berth has just been created at the Dunalley jetty on the northern side approximately 20 metres in length and including the face of the jetty. The area has been painted yellow and hopefully this will rectify concerns local commercial fishermen have had with congestion at this important marine facility.
No fishing exclusion zones with Basslink
In the last two and a half years TFIC has been involved in a consultation process with Basslink regarding their proposed underwater power cable across Bass Strait. Our website at www.tfic.com.au lists much of our correspondence and identifies many of the issues that we have been concerned about.
Several matters have only just been finally resolved and they essentially relate to protection of the power cable in marine waters. TFIC, Seafood Industry Victoria and the Australian Seafood Industry Council were unanimous that an exclusion zone was not necessary and now the Federal, Tasmanian and Victorian Governments have agreed.
I am pleased to advise that all parties have now committed to a voluntary Code of Conduct for fishing and safe anchoring in the area of the cable. Most importantly there will be no fishing exclusion zone around the cable, free electronic data will be available for propriety chart plotters, compensation will be available for snagged and discarded fishing gear and there should be no adverse effect on fisheries. A copy of the agreed Code of Conduct is included as an insert in this issue of Fishing Today.
The Basslink cable should be completed by the summer of 2005/2006 at an estimated cost of $780m.
A free TFIC calendar for you to display
Enclosed as an insert in this edition is a 2004 TFIC calendar which we have produced for all readers of Fishing Today. I suggest you find a prominent location to display this calendar so that it can remind you of much of the information you will surely need in the new year. We are very grateful for the support of all advertisers which has covered our production and distribution costs. We hope you find this small but simple Christmas gift from us to you very useful.
Latest TFIC Board issues
At the last TFIC Board meeting Directors discussed a range of issues including marine protected areas in Tasmania and in Commonwealth waters within the SERMP, Slipway Management, a range of MAST issues, the National Standard for Commercial Vessels, Giant Crab/Trawl interactions, the scallop season, legislation, compliance, industry training, USL renewal arrangements, state budget opportunities, first aid kits on vessels, research projects at TAFI, waste disposal at St Helens, a safety induction check list and seafood education at schools along with other aspects of our industry.
Our guests were Colin Buxton Director of TAFI, and in the afternoon Minister Bryan Green, his advisor John Dowling and the DPIWE Director of Marine Resources Wes Ford along with invited industry members Dean Lisson, Greg Woodham and Chris Parker.
Compliments of the Season to everyone
All of us at TFIC wish to express our grateful appreciation to everyone who has assisted us throughout the last very busy twelve months. It has been our pleasure to assist in protecting and promoting our members best interests and I know we have made a difference in many areas.
Ralph, Anne, Julie and I wish all readers of Fishing Today a very merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year and we again look forward to addressing all the challenges on behalf of our members in the year ahead.