South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform

 

South Australia’s Commercial Marine Scalefishery needs reforming to ensure sustainable fish stocks and a viable industry into the future.

In 2018 the State Government established a ‘Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform Advisory Committee’ to guide the development and implementation of a reform package for the South Australian commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery.

The Advisory Committee has undertaken broad industry engagement to explore potential reforms including:

  • introducing zones
  • fleet rationalisation
  • introduction of a modernised fisheries management system.

General webpage about reform https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/commercial_fishing/fisheries/marine_scalefish_fishery/reform

Consultation paper – https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/348193/Consultation_Paper_final.pdf

Industry consultation now open

Feedback is now being sought from the commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery on an Industry Consultation Paper on reform options to the sector to ensure sustainable fish stocks and a viable industry into the future.  ( PLEASE NOTE – ANY RECFISHER SHOULD PUT SUBMISSIONS/IFORMATION TO AFTA FOR INCLUSION INTO THEIR SUBMISSION BY OCTOBER 8)

View the consultation paper and have your say by 11 October 2019.

Complexities of the Marine Scalefish Fishery

The Marine Scalefish Fishery is a complex fishery which targets more than 60 species of fish using a range of gear types in our coastal waters. It is also a shared access fishery with the same species supporting a significant amount of recreational fishing activity and some traditional fishing.

Advisory Committee focus and positions

It is acknowledged that for there to be a strong and vibrant commercial industry into the future, there is excess fishing capacity in the commercial fishery, in terms of the current nominal (number of licences) and effective (catching capacity) fishing effort. As such, the focus of the reform process is on the commercial sector.

Accordingly, the Advisory Committee includes six members from the commercial MSF, one Rock Lobster Fishery member in recognition of its formal access to marine scalefish species, one recreational fisher in acknowledgement of the recreational sector’s interest in this shared access fishery, one independent chair, and one independent economist.

Terms of reference – Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery Reform Advisory Committee (DOCX 152.9 KB).

Have your say

All licence holders and key stakeholder groups can have their say on the reform options and processes proposed for the South Australian Commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery.

All submissions will be made public on the PIRSA website to ensure transparency in the process.

To have your say:

Send hard copy feedback forms to:

  • Email: msf.reform@sa.gov.au
  • Post: PIRSA Fisheries & Aquaculture,  GPO Box 1625,  ADELAIDE  SA  5001

Closing date: 5.00 pm on Friday 11 October 2019. Late feedback will not be considered.

PLEASE SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO: bobbaldwin@afta.net.au BY THE 8 OCTOBER FOR INCLUSION