Dear Mr Baldwin,
Thank you for your email regarding AFTA’s submission questions on the draft NSW Snapper and Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategies.
Thank you also for meeting with me and my team to discuss your initial comments regarding the draft Strategies and current consultation process.
A response to the issues raised in your email is at Attachment A. I am aware you may wish to publish this information on AFTA’s website and we hope it can prove to be a useful information source for all stakeholders.
As agreed, the Department will arrange a technical briefing on the Kingfish and Snapper harvest strategies and recent management changes to rebuild Redfish stocks as soon as practical. The Department appreciates that it is important that AFTA has access to the information necessary to properly understand any proposed or adopted management changes, including the scientific basis for the proposals and any supporting material relevant to informed consideration of the issues.
Additionally, DPIRD is preparing the following material to be published, to help better inform stakeholders on the draft harvest strategies, the new stock assessments and the science underpinning them:
• The independent stock assessment reviews, which will be published on the DPIRD website, and are attached with this letter for your information (Attachments B-E)
• A series of social media communication videos, providing short, easily understood information on the harvest strategies and stock assessments.
In relation to your request to extend the current Harvest Strategy consultation period, an extension to the consultation closing date will be confirmed soon.
I encourage AFTA, its members and network to provide submissions through the Have Your Say platform. DPIRD is genuinely interested in constructive feedback on how to implement harvest strategies that will help build these key species towards target levels.
We look forward to continuing to work with you to support the effective and sustainable management of our fisheries resources.
I have asked Dr Heath Folpp, to be available to answer any further questions you may have.
Click here to download the relevant stock assessment:
Stock Assessment Review Yellowtail Kingfish Phase 1
Stock Assessment Review Yellowtail Kingfish Phase 2