Implementation of an Environmental Management System for South Australia’s Rocklobster and Prawn Fisheries
Project No. 2003/064 July 2005
2003/064
Implementation of an environmental management system for South Australia’s rock lobster and prawn fisheries.
Samara Miller
Published by Seafood Council (SA) Ltd.
Seafood Council (SA) Ltd is a non-profit peak body organisation funded through the South Australian seafood industry with the aim of representing the seafood industry in securing secure future access and business certainty arrangements. Seafood Council (SA) Ltd also aims to increase the profitability of all members of the seafood industry by increasing the consumption and value of seafood, as well as aiming to achieve effective fisheries management to ensure sustainability of fisheries resources.
Cover photographs supplied by Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association and Southern Rocklobster Ltd.
Copyright © Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Seafood Council (SA) Ltd. 2005
This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owners. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission.
DISCLAIMER The authors do not warrant that the information in this book is free from errors or omissions. The authors do not accept any form of liability, be it contractual, tortious or otherwise, for the contents of this book or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. The information, opinions and advice contained in this book may not relate to, or be relevant to, a reader's particular circumstances. Opinions expressed by the authors are the individual opinions of those persons and are not necessarily those of the publisher or research provider.
ISBN 0 646 45063 8
Printed by Seafood Council (SA) Ltd on recycled paper.
2 2003/064
Table of Contents
Non-Technical Summary ...... 4 Acknowledgments...... 6 Background ...... 8 Need...... 9 Objectives ...... 11 Methods...... 12 Discussion ...... 21 Integrated Management Systems ...... 21 EMS Delivery ...... 21 Industry Ownership...... 22 Involvement of Stakeholders...... 22 Building on Past Business Success ...... 22 Benefits & Adoption...... 23 Applied Ecological Sustainable Development ...... 23 Investment in Developing EMS Expertise...... 23 EMS Adoption ...... 23 Further Development ...... 25 External Risk Assessment...... 25 Assessing EMS Benefits...... 25 EMS Manual Development...... 25 Planned Outcomes...... 26 Conclusion...... 27 Bibliography ...... 28 Appendix 1 – Intellectual Property ...... 29 Appendix 2 – Project Staff...... 30 Appendix 3 – Prawn Industry Environmental Standards...... 31 Appendix 4 – Prawn Industry ‘Flipcards’...... 41 Appendix 5 - Rocklobster Environmental Standards...... 46 Appendix 6 - Rocklobster ‘Flipcards’...... 64 Appendix 7 - Rocklobster Waste Management Plan ...... 75
3 2003/064
Non-Technical Summary
FRDC 2003/064 Implementation of an environmental management system for South Australia’s rocklobster and prawn fisheries.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ms Samara Miller ADDRESS: Seafood Council (SA) Ltd PO Box 8 Port Lincoln SA 5606
OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop, document and implement integrated environmental management programs for the prawn and rock lobster fisheries.
2. Provide leadership to all sectors of the South Australian seafood industry on the matter of ecologically sustainable development.
3. Develop and consolidate environmental expertise in the South Australian seafood industry.
4. Provide training and development opportunities for members of South Australia’s seafood industry to further their understanding and response to environmental issues.
5. Ensure South Australian prawn and rock lobster fisheries perform to international marketing and community standards.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
The principal objective of the project was to provide a State EMS Officer for South Australia to develop and implement an environmental management system with the prawn and rocklobster fisheries.
An integrated third party audited EMS was developed with the rocklobster sector which covered sustainability risks, environmental risks, food safety and quality risks, animal welfare risks as well as occupational health and safety risks. Best practice standards, easy to read ‘flipcards’, training materials and reference materials were developed as part of a Clean Green Program. Two manuals were developed; Best Practice Manual and On Boat Induction Manual. An On Boat Management System Manual was developed with the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Industry. Best practice environmental standards were developed as well as ‘flipcards’ on environmental standards.
Leadership was provided to all sectors of the seafood industry in the form of presentations, print media and discussions with individuals. The EMS State Officer participated in a range of forums such as Seafood EMS Pilot Program, Annual Review Forums, Technical Reference Panel meetings, National Seafood EMS Summits and workshops over the two year period. Work on the EMS’s were done in collaboration with the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council and the EMS Sub-committee of the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association.
Extensive training and development opportunities were provided to both the rocklobster and prawn sectors. An entirely new course on EMS was developed for the prawn skippers based on a risk assessment process. Seven separate training courses were run out of Port
4 2003/064
Lincoln and Adelaide with a participation rate of 76%. A total of 216 rocklobster fishers were trained in the Clean Green EMS Program at a range of ports across South Australia. All training was designed based on action or simulation learning. Given the overwhelming response and participation to the training delivered, Farmbis funding was obtained to assist with the project.
A Technical Reference Panel was established made up of stakeholders outside the seafood industry to ensure that the standards reflected the expectations of the general community.
The principal findings of this work are: 1. An integrated management system that incorporates other issues such as occupational health and safety, food safety, food quality and animal welfare concerns, in addition to addressing environmental issues is considered to be a more logical and cost effective way of addressing industry’s range of business issues. 2. A degree of flexibility is required when working with industry on developing and implementing EMS because the management system needs to have strong ownership by the fishers. 3. The involvement of other stakeholders in the EMS process needs careful thought and planning so as to not compromise the level of ownership by industry over the EMS process. 4. An EMS is a way of profiling, demonstrating and building upon the good environmental work that the fishery has already achieved. 5. An EMS is a valuable tool for industry to apply ecological sustainable development (ESD) principles and engage in debates on ESD. An EMS provides industry with a way of describing how they contribute to effective natural resource management. 6. An investment in developing EMS expertise needs to be supported if the commercial industry is to incorporate EMS in its ongoing day-to-day business. This will strengthen the use of EMS in the prawn and rocklobster fisheries and provide support for other commercial fisheries that may embark on developing an EMS in the future. 7. Participation rates and feedback on delivered EMS training are considered indicators of ongoing adoption of the EMS by the seafood industry. 8. An EMS should be intended to complement existing fisheries and environmental plans and policies already in existence, rather than duplicate the level of paperwork for the industry.
The principal outcomes of this work are: 1. EMS manuals have been developed with the rocklobster and prawn sectors which are designed to be flexible and reviewed on an ongoing basis and are targeted towards fishers on the boats. The manuals have also been tailor-made to the needs of the industry and the general community. 2. Fishers have a stronger understanding of their obligations and responsibilities to the environment and the EMS has provided them with a way to demonstrate this. 3. The role of a State EMS Officer has contributed environmental expertise in EMS and ESD to the seafood industry. 4. The breadth of knowledge and understanding of environmental issues by fishers has increased substantially which will allow them to proactively address environmental dilemmas in the future.
In conclusion, the project has been an excellent example of developing and adopting EMS within the seafood industry which will provide worthwhile environmental outcomes for the seafood industry and the general community.
5 2003/064
Acknowledgments
We thank the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation for funding this project in collaboration with the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association and the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council.
The prawn licence holders and skippers who believed in demonstrating their environmental practice and spent their time working with the Principal Investigator to create a management system for their industry; Greg Palmer, Dave Bryant, Andrew Puglisi, Shaun Evans, Nathan Hood, Nick Paleogoudias and Barry Evans.
The rocklobster fishermen who are members of the South Australian Rocklobster Advisory Council who drove the development of the Clean Green Program and encouraged the environmental component of the Program to be as comprehensive as possible; Kym Redman, Mark Denton, Andrew Ferguson, Daryl Spencer, Steve Hinge, Lionel Carrison, Roger Cutting and Peter Fabris.
Jeff Todd and Jade Ballantine of the Environment Protection Authority in South Australia who provided valuable comment on the prawn standards in relation to current and future policies of the EPA.
Tony Flaherty of the Marine and Coastal Community Network who provided his time to comment on the draft prawn standards and provide a fresh viewpoint on the approach taken by the prawn industry.
Seafood Services Australia that have supported the Rocklobster Clean Green EMS Program and have initiated a range of national forums and training on EMS.
Claire Van der Geest, Seanet Extension Officer of Oceanwatch Australia who provided feedback on the draft prawn standards during their development.
Ian Picket and Robert Hodge in Rural Finance and Development of PIRSA who assisted the prawn and rocklobster industry to step through the process of applying for Farmbis funding for the “grass-roots” industry-wide training in EMS.
FarmBis SA, a joint investment by the State and Australian Governments who have funded training in the ‘Clean Green‘ rocklobster Program and the Prawn EMS training.
The Australian Fisheries Academy based out of Port Lincoln that assisted in developing an entirely new course on EMS tailored to the prawn industry.
The Australian Maritime College who provided a significant level of support and expertise in developing and presenting the rocklobster Clean Green training package. A special thanks to Professor Paul McShane and David Milne who not only supported the roll-out of the training but were instrumental in the development of the Clean Green EMS Program.
Tanya Adams, Taylored Health and safety, who developed the Occupational Health and Safety codes for both the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association and the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council. Tanya has been instrumental in the role-out of the Clean Green EMS Training Program.
John White who contributed photos for the On Boat Management System Manual for the prawn industry.
6 2003/064
Duncan Leadbitter of the Marine Stewardship Council who discussed the MSC process with the prawn industry.
Damian Moroney of Enviro Action Pty Ltd who discussed the ISO 14001 In Action Program with the prawn industry.
7 2003/064
Background
The commercial seafood industry in South Australia has initiated over many years significant programs to reduce their impact on the environment. This resourcefulness has often been a result of specific incidents or issues that have arisen from within or outside of the industry. The historical approach taken by the seafood industry in South Australia to date has often been ad hoc and not considered within a formal system where initiatives have been documented or reviewed over time.
Environmental management systems have received more and more interest in the South Australian seafood industry and a range of factors have contributed to this interest. The most significant has been the introduction of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. In August 2000, the Federal Minister for Environment approved the Commonwealth Guidelines for the ecologically sustainable management of fisheries. Commercial fisheries under State legislation needed to assess environmental risks and demonstrate through an assessment that environmental issues were being addressed in some way.
Other factors which have contributed to greater attention being given to the development of EMS has included: ¾ the requirement of industry to fund one hundred percent of the services they receive in managing the sustainability of the commercial fisheries, ¾ the high value of the industry, ¾ the past experience of trade barriers limiting the markets for South Australia seafood product, ¾ the goal of commercial fisheries to take on a greater role in managing the resource, ¾ the long term sustainability record of some of the commercial fisheries and corresponding confidence within the fisheries for the long-term, ¾ the greater interest shown in understanding the interactions between the surrounding habitat and wider ecosystem with the species being targeted.
The rocklobster industry in South Australia has over the past five years been developing an auditable framework for their supply chain from “pot to plate”. The strategy referred to as the Clean Green Program has focused on developing a set of “best practice” standards for the industry which could be third party audited. The development and implementation of the Clean Green Program was initiated originally for the Southern Rock Lobster Fishery and Northern Rock Lobster Fishery in South Australia.
The Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association is the industry body representing licence holders from the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and the West Coast Prawn Fishery. Both prawn fisheries in South Australia have maintained a very proactive attitude to reducing environmental impacts over the years. Significant advances have been made such as the introduction of hoppers on boats to release bycatch back to the water as soon as possible, the creation of permanent closure areas where juvenile prawns aggregate which supply recruitment to the commercial fisheries, as well as the significant reduction in the number of days fished per year and the duration of trawl shots.
Whilst considerable advances have been made regarding environmental concerns, the development of a management system is considered to be the next step for commercial fisheries in demonstrating transparently their environmental record and documenting the changes and advances made. The development of a leadership role within the seafood industry is considered to be a critical factor in delivering EMS and therefore ESD principles within the industry.
8 2003/064
Need
The main reasons behind seafood sectors developing and implementing EMS’s in South Australia are: to improve community perception in relation to environmental issues, to demonstrate legal environmental requirements are being met and to influence and encourage behavioural change at the individual business level of the seafood industry. Each are discussed in turn.
Scrutiny of commercial fishing operations by consumers and the general public is viewed by the industry to be a consistent threat to their business activities in a range of areas. Environmental issues are one of the key areas where there is a need for industry to demonstrate a good environmental record. Over time there has been a shift in the burden of proof. This means that industry may have to prove more and more that its activities and practices are not damaging to the environment, rather than Government having to prove that they are. The introduction of the EPBC Act 1999 by the Commonwealth Government was an example of one of the ways Government has responded to criticism and ensured that commercial fisheries demonstrated certain principles, which were:
¾ a fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing, or for those stocks that are over-fished, the fishery must be conducted such that there is a high degree of probability that the stocks will recover; and
¾ fishing operations should be managed to minimize their impact on the structure, productivity, function and biological diversity of the ecosystem.
This legislation required government agencies in association with industry to consider and document their environmental impacts, with reference to a wider suite of issues than simply sustainability of the fish stock being targeted during fishing.
Hence, there is a need to provide a transparent and proactive approach to environmental matters at the business level and ‘whole of fishery’ level that continually evolves over time. An EMS provides a way of making information on the commercial fishing available to other parties through documentation and recording that can be compiled over long time periods. It provides a common language amongst the industry which will assist in communicating with other stakeholder groups. The management system part of the EMS allows the individual’s in the industry to organise and utilise the information in the most effective way.
The second key driver behind the adoption of EMS in the seafood industry is the threat of future restrictions on commercial fishing activities by government agencies. The possibility of additional regulation increases the chances that practices may become impracticable and excessively costly. Hence, there is a drive to be proactive and demonstrate that legislation is not only adhered to but that the industry is adopting higher standards in their fishing operations.
Whilst operators work within their legal obligations, the suite of legislation that applies to skippers of vessels can be confusing and extensive, especially as it changes over time. International obligations, national and state legislation, as well as rules relating to specific ports, contain requirements relating to environmental risks. There has been the need to document the environmental legislation applicable to these risks and provide a process of continual review for the fishing fleets. The EMS process gives fishers a way of demonstrating that they are actively addressing environmental risks. If this information is targeted towards people working on vessels then the EMS itself needs to be workable in the wheelhouse of boats.
9 2003/064
Some commercial fisheries are moving towards a “self management model” where Government would develop more of an audit role and allow industry to be responsible and thereby accountable for the day to day management of their industry. An EMS is viewed as an essential tool needed for self management to demonstrate that a given fishery is achieving responsible environmental management in order to provide a high level of confidence that industry are doing what they say they are doing.
Thirdly, the development of an EMS aims to encourage changes in individual’s behaviour to reduce the risk of environmental harm. Previously, each environmental issue that has arisen have been dealt with by the industry singularly, which has been an inefficient way of doing business. A formal process was required to treat all environmental issues in the same way and to provide a system that engages the industry without creating significant increases in paperwork. Opportunities for the industry to be proactive regarding environmental initiatives have not been optimized to date.
Phrases such as “natural resource management” and “ecosystem management” require a system of processes for these phrases to be delivered by the seafood industry. It is considered that an EMS will in fact deliver on these big picture goals. To date, few South Australian industry sectors have been able to consolidate all of the information at the one time on environmental impacts and have taken a “big picture approach” to environmental issues. Only recently has the industry thought about the interaction and possible impacts between commercial fisheries.
Lastly, there has been a need to have a person at the State level dedicated to assist the seafood industry in coordinating EMS’s. To date, the response to environmental issues has been ad hoc. Investing in the development of skills and knowledge in the area of EMS is likely to assist industry through providing a person who can become a key contact point within the industry in which to discuss EMS issues or more general environmental management issues. This key leadership role is considered to be a critical success factor in order to support ongoing development of EMS in the South Australian seafood industry.
10 2003/064
Objectives
1. Develop, document and implement integrated environmental management programs for the prawn and rock lobster fisheries.
2. Provide leadership to all sectors of the South Australian seafood industry on the matter of ecologically sustainable development.
3. Develop and consolidate environmental expertise in the South Australian seafood industry.
4. Provide training and development opportunities for members of South Australia’s seafood industry to further their understanding and response to environmental issues.
5. Ensure South Australian prawn and rock lobster fisheries perform to international marketing and community standards.
11 2003/064
Methods
An EMS is an integrated management approach that fishers can use to identify and manage impacts of their business on the environment. An EMS is a voluntary, flexible system that aims to achieve continual improvement in environmental and business performance. It is also a process that allows the seafood industry to plan, do, check and review its activities. An EMS does not necessarily require third party auditing, but it is considered preferable.
6.1 Develop, document and implement integrated environmental management programs for the prawn and rock lobster fisheries.
An environmental management system has been developed for the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries and the Southern Rocklobster Fishery in South Australia.
Prawn Sector
The EMS was developed by the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association on behalf of the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn fleet. The EMS therefore needed to incorporate both prawn fisheries into the one management system. Third party auditing of the prawn standards will be a considered in the future, and was not within the scope of this project.
The management system was developed in a way that it incorporated industry members across various work roles. Prawn deckhands, skippers, licence holders, Association Committee members and Association Executive all play a role in the EMS.
A prawn industry On Boat Management System Manual has been prepared. Forty-two (42) copies of the On Boat Management System Manual have been developed and printed and act as the ‘housing’ for the EMS. Copies have been distributed to all prawn vessels (39 Spencer Gulf Prawn vessels and 3 West Coast prawn vessels) and are designed to be kept in the wheelhouse of each vessel. Copies of the Manuals are also kept at the Prawn Association office for reference and review purposes. Licence holders are obliged to ensure that the practices on board their particular vessel are aligned to the industry-wide standards in the EMS. The Association has committed to review the best practice standards on an annual basis and will encourage members in the fleet to utilise the Manual on an ongoing basis. An EMS Sub-committee has been formed to manage and review the Manual in the future.
The following explains the information contained in each On Boat Management System Manual.
Prawn Industry Environmental Standards Environmental standards were developed to cover industry activities prior to fishing, during the fishing trip at sea and after fishing whilst unloading. This ensured that a comprehensive list of risks were identified covering the entire range of operations relating to the prawn industry. These risks were categorised as either relating to marine pollution, noise pollution, sustainability of target stocks or ecological interactions.
Identification of the environmental risks was conducted in three ways. Firstly, the EMS Sub- committee ‘brainstormed’ potential environmental risks as a group. Secondly, the risk assessment conducted as part of the ecological assessment of the prawn fisheries was referred to. Thirdly, the Principal Investigator went prawn fishing onboard one of the EMS Sub-committee members’ prawn boat to document the existing fishing practices and identify potential risks that were not picked up at Sub-committee meetings.
12 2003/064
Best practice standards were drafted that addressed each of the environmental risks identified. The standards were set out in such a way that the broad area of risk was documented, the standard outlining what is required to achieve best practice was documented within the risk category and the legislative background relating to each risk category was recorded.
The environmental standards have been developed in a language that is acceptable and meaningful to fishers and the aim is to give guidance to skippers and crew on their obligations and requirements in the fishery. They are written in a way that is clear about what is required and who is responsible. They are also written in such a way that would assist the fishery in being audited by a third party in the future.
Guidance on the format and style of the standards was provided through the development of the rocklobster standards. For practical purposes the list of standards consists of four pages in the On Boat Management System Manual that have been laminated for use on the boats to maintain the longevity of the document.
Prawn Industry ‘Flipcards’ Each manual contains a set of two double sided ‘flipcards’. ‘Flipcards’ have been developed covering risk areas of fishery sustainability, bycatch, waste management, marine pollution and ecological interaction. Pictorial information has been used to encourage individuals to read and understand the standards. Colourful photos are used on the flipcards and the language has been designed to be as simple as possible. The aim of developing the flipcards was to communicate what should be done about environmental risks onboard the vessel in a quick and easy reference guide. Each ‘flipcard’ is laminated and are designed to be kept in the wheelhouse of each vessel as a guide for the skipper, regular crew, observers, visitors and newly inducted crew.
Prawn Industry Management System Review Contained within the On Boat Management System Manual is a one page double sided sheet that introduces the On Boat Management System and explains the process of continual review, including who will conduct the review and what information will be considered in the review of the Manual.
Rocklobster Sector
A third party audited EMS has been implemented for the rocklobster sector in South Australia. The EMS is an integrated package covering sustainability risks, environmental risks, food safety and quality risks as well as occupational health and safety risks. As part of this project, the environmental component of the rocklobster industry standards, ‘flipcards’, training materials, and reference materials as part of the Clean Green Rocklobster Program were developed. A continuous improvement process was included which provided a systematic process for fishers to continuously plan, do, check and review their environmental risks on an ongoing basis.
Two different manuals were developed for the Rocklobster EMS; ¾ Best Practice Manual ¾ On Boat Induction Manual
The following components of each Manual relate to the environmental aspects covered in this project.
Rocklobster Best Practice Manual
13 2003/064
Three environmental sections have been included in the Best Practice Manual titled Sustainability, Bycatch and Environment. Each manual has copies of the flipcards found in the On-Boat Induction Manual. The following documents are included:
Sustainability section Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries
Assessment of the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery for the ecologically sustainable management of fisheries under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Department of Environment and Heritage, October 2003
List of publications that relate to sustainability of rocklobster.
Bycatch section Bycatch Solutions – A Handbook for Fishers in Non-Trawl Fisheries, Ocean Watch Australia Ltd. FRDC Project No. 98/201
Environment section List of publications that relate to environmental issues of rocklobster fishing.
Protected Species Handling Manual – Edition II, Ocean Watch Australia Ltd, 2003.
Rocklobster On Boat Induction Manual A set of environmental standards that are auditable are included in the On Boat Induction Manual. Information on the standards is included as well as the standards that relate to pot sustainability, bycatch and ecological interactions.
Each manual contains a set of four double sided flipcards covering the areas of minimizing bycatch, ecological interactions, Southern Australian breeding seal colonies, whales, environmental waste disposal procedures, safe refueling and spill kit use and fishery sustainability. These flipcards directly reflect the environmental standards developed under the Program.
A waste management plan was developed which describes the waste item, person responsible, disposal method and where records are kept. The aim of this one-page checklist is to assist rocklobster skippers and crew to conduct best practice and provide regular entries in the ship’s log of how waste is being managed onboard the vessel.
Prior to third party auditing, time was spent on every rocklobster vessel that was participating in the Program to conduct pre-audit activities. This allowed every skipper and crew to check their compliance with the standards prior to the actual auditing. This was especially helpful to the industry given that third party auditing of environmental issues has never been conducted in this fishery. As part of the third party auditing process, the auditor meets with each skipper and assesses the operation according to the checklist. Each piece of documentation, or on-boat check, needs to be assessed by the auditor against the relevant standard. Once assessed, the checklist will be completed as either yes, no or comments are made by the auditor. The auditor used was suitably qualified, and understood the rocklobster industry. This allowed the audits to run smoothly and effectively.
6.2 Provide leadership to all sectors of the South Australian seafood industry on the matter of ecologically sustainable development.
A strong leadership role has been developed relating to EMS for the seafood industry in South Australia. The State EMS Officer has provided enormous benefits to the seafood sectors. The resulting advantages from this position has been that EMS has been highly
14 2003/064 profiled across the State not only within the seafood sector but within other industries. This latter benefit was not recognised at the commencement of this project but has been a surprising positive outcome.
The Principal Investigator has been requested to provide advice to various seafood sectors including the Marine Scalefish Sector and the oyster growers on the development of EMS. The role of State EMS Officer has encouraged the sharing of information between seafood sectors; allowing them to learn from one another.
At the commencement of the project, a one-page flyer was prepared as an overview on what this project aimed to achieve. This flyer was posted on the Seafood Council website and was sent to the following seafood sectors based in South Australia:
Marine Scalefish Pilchard Fisherman’s Association Blue Crab Pot Fishers Association Gulf St Vincent Prawn Fishery South Australian Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) South Australian Mussel Growers Association South Australian Fishing Industry Council
The flyer also aimed to make other seafood sectors aware of the project and the possible benefits of the project.
As the EMS development progressed media statements were released publicly as a way of increasing awareness of EMS in the seafood industry and the project itself.
Articles were published in a variety of magazines and newsletters which included: ¾ Seafood Council newsletter ¾ Rocklobster Industry Newsletter ¾ South Australian Oyster Growers Association ¾ FRDC Newsletter ¾ Marine and Coastal Community Network Newsletter ¾ Southern Fisheries Magazine Regular reports on EMS were provided in Annual Reports of the Seafood Council as well as progress reports prepared for each Seafood Council Board meeting. This not only provided accountability on the project but also increased the level of understanding amongst the Board Directors.
The project has also provided opportunities for the State EMS Officer to attend national forums to better understand the role of EMS in the primary production industry. The 3rd National Conference on Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture was attended from 10th - 13th November 2003. A report on the key findings from the conference was prepared and extended to the Seafood Council Board as a way of improving understanding on EMS by key industry leaders. This provided a unique opportunity to gauge the development of EMS in other industries outside of the seafood sector.
A range of presentations were given at various forums throughout the project. The Introduction to Environmental Management Systems Workshop organised for the Natural Resource Management Facilitators Network provided a unique opportunity to extend EMS as a keynote speaker. This forum was held in Port Lincoln and provided a unique opportunity for learning and education on EMS to the agricultural sector based on Eyre
15 2003/064
Peninsula. This occasion was created as a direct result of providing the State EMS Officer with the opportunity to develop a leadership profile within the seafood industry and the ability to extend this information to other industries in the State.
Presentations were given to various Fisheries Management Committee’s across the State. The membership of such committees included commercial and recreational seafood industry members so it was considered that these existing forums were an ideal way to extend the project and discussions on EMS.
The inaugural National Prawn Industry Conference held in Cairns in November 2004 also provided a great opportunity to present the outcomes of the Prawn industry EMS to other prawn fisheries around Australia. The leadership role again has resulted in a unique initiative in the seafood industry. Moreton Bay trawl fishers from Queensland have traveled to Port Lincoln to learn more about the Prawn EMS being developed in South Australia as they have also embarked on developing their own EMS.
6.3 Develop and consolidate environmental expertise in the South Australian seafood industry.
Environmental expertise was developed and consolidated in the most cost effective and efficient way possible which limited the extra burden of additional meetings, time and resources for the fishers involved.
The South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council (SARLAC) is made up of six rock lobster fishers with one of them also having an interest in rock lobster processing. This Council sets directions for both the Southern Zone and Northern Zone Rocklobster Fisheries in South Australia and this group became adopted as the forum in which to develop the Clean Green Rocklobster EMS Program approximately eight years ago. These Council members represent the range of rocklobster ports across South Australia and are the key individuals in this rock lobster sector who are driving the EMS Program.
The Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association has a Committee of twelve members made up of prawn fishery licence holders and skippers. Given the larger number of members, an EMS sub-committee was formed consisting of six industry members. The group was made up of prawn fishery skippers representing both the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and the West Coast Prawn Fishery. These five individuals developed knowledge and capabilities in the environmental area as a result of attending meetings and working with the State EMS Officer on the project. In addition, a presentation to the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association at their Annual General Meeting profiled EMS to the wider prawn industry.
The fundamental approach in developing the EMS’s was that it needed to reflect the fisher’s thoughts, ideas and motivations on environmental management. This was a consistent aspect of the methodology throughout the project based on the rationale that if there is low level of ownership of the EMS by industry members, then the EMS will not achieve what it is designed to achieve: continual improvement of environmental practice over time. Hence, SARLAC and the Prawn EMS Sub-committee worked on developing the EMS at the “grass- roots” level and became advocates for the environmental management approach that was taken with the project. This was enhanced given that the State EMS officer worked out of an office in Port Lincoln and therefore was able to provide an immediate day-to-day profile to EMS, particularly with the prawn industry.
16 2003/064
Characteristics which demonstrated the high level of ownership by the sectors for EMS were:
¾ The motivation shown by the prawn Sub-committee and SARLAC in the time spent in developing the standards / EMS program. ¾ The responsiveness to the outcomes of the ecological assessment conducted under the EPBC Act 1999. ¾ The large number of industry members that pursued and initiated training for themselves in the programs. ¾ The large number of industry members that participated in the training sessions in the prawn sector and rocklobster sector. ¾ The large number of rocklobster fishers that have requested a 3rd party audit against the standards. ¾ The request to maintain the draft standards for industry eyes only until the groups felt comfortable in releasing the information.
The State EMS Officer has also had opportunities to discuss and review EMS processes around the country by participating in a variety of EMS forums and national projects.
The Natural Heritage Trust Seafood EMS Pilot Project is a national project involving six seafood case studies around Australia in an evaluation of Seafood EMS as a management tool for achieving environmental, social and economic goals. The Clean Green Rocklobster EMS Program is participating as one of the case studies and seafood is one of fifteen national EMS pilot projects covering a range of primary industries.
Participation at the Annual Review Forum provided an opportunity for the national pilot projects to come together. The Industry Day as part of this event was structured to promote conversations between EMS Pilot proponents and industry representatives in order to explore common interest. Participation of the State EMS Officer in this forum greatly benefited this project. Summaries of where rural industries were up to with EMS around Australia and discussing the mutual benefits with others provided a great opportunity to learn further about EMS and bring this knowledge back to the seafood industry in SA.
Regular EMS Technical Reference Panel meetings also allowed the State EMS Officer to gain valuable information and experience relating to EMS. Organised as a workshop, challenges and successes associated with the development and implementation of EMS in South Australia were shared within a national EMS forum. Strategic advice on EMS development, technical advice on EMS evaluation frameworks, promotion of EMS to industry and government, facilitating access to people and promoting information exchange between case study groups were some of the benefits obtained through the involvement of the officer in this national project.
The National Seafood EMS Summit has also provided a unique opportunity for South Australia to build upon its existing successes and initiatives in seafood EMS. The involvement of the State EMS Officer allowed South Australia to contribute to a shared strategic focus for the future of EMS in the seafood industry as well as identify and priortise actions and investment needed to demonstrate environmental stewardship. This forum brought seafood producers, non-government organisations, researchers, Government agencies, certifying bodies, investors and standards agencies together to discuss EMS.
The State EMS Officer attended a specific workshop on building capacity and developing skills for the delivery of EMS and extension work in the seafood industry. The workshop also aimed to strengthen the links between State EMS Officers, Seanet Extension Officers and Seafood Services Australia.
17 2003/064
The State EMS Officer has also provided valuable input into obtaining feedback on the Seafood Environmental Management System (SEMS) CD being developed by Seafood Services Australia. South Australia is road-testing the CD with each of the case study groups involved in the National Seafood EMS Pilot Project. Updated versions of the CD are discussed and comments recorded with the EMS Officer and this feedback is passed on to SSA. Through this process, enormous value has been realised as this has created an environment where the case study groups have engaged and shared their experiences relating to the development of EMS.
6.4 Provide training and development opportunities for members of South Australia’s seafood industry to further their understanding and response to environmental issues.
The training and development opportunities that have been provided to the seafood industry on environmental issues and responses has been extensive. Training materials and programs were provided for fishers with the aim of building capacity and knowledge amongst industry leaders and representatives on key ESD and specific environmental issues. Training materials were developed in conjunction with the key industry champions who are members of SARLAC and the Prawn EMS Sub-committee and leading training organisations, Australian Fisheries Academy and Australian Maritime College. Training material on environmental risks was developed in the form of PowerPoint presentations that can be used for further training sessions. The timing of the courses throughout the year was a critical consideration in order to encourage as much participation by the fishers in the training as possible.
Prawn Sector
The training program delivered to the prawn industry was based around the concept of industry assessing risks, taking responsibilities for those risks and over time developing a level of ownership over the continual improvement cycle. The training was very much based on facilitating prawn industry members to think through the potential risks onboard their vessel and ways to reduce these risks. Training materials were based on checklists that both skippers and crew will be able to implement onboard the vessels and keep in the wheelhouse.
All training sessions related specifically to the prawn industry to ensure that the business skills developed were both realistic and relevant to the participants. This meant that an entirely new course on EMS needed to be developed and tailored to the prawn industry in collaboration with the Australian Fisheries Academy based out of Port Lincoln. Action or simulation learning was used which meant that as much as possible, training was conducted outside of the classroom on boats to make it both relevant and directly applicable to their day-to-day operations.
Given the nature of the prawn sector, seven separate training courses were held in June and July 2004. Courses were limited to a maximum of six skippers to ensure that participants were able to maximise their input and learning. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the prawn skippers participated in the training which is considered to be an excellent rate of participation. Training in the prawn industry occurred in both ports of Port Adelaide and Port Lincoln.
The training was a huge success given that the training was well received by all participants from both prawn fisheries. The participants have an understanding of the risk assessment process which is a critical part of the EMS.
18 2003/064
Rocklobster Sector
Behavioural change has been demonstrated by the rocklobster industry in all of the areas covered by the EMS due to the training program. An extensive training package was developed as part of the Rocklobster EMS Program. A training program was delivered as a trial at the rocklobster port of Robe in South Australia. The comments received from the trainers and participants were incorporated into the training materials to develop a more comprehensive training package for delivery of the EMS Program.
Training consisted of a two day session covering all areas of the Program with appropriately skilled resources. The response from the industry to invitations to participate in the training was staggering. A total of 216 fishers in the rocklobster industry were trained in the EMS Program over a two week period in the South East. Training occurred in key rocklobster and prawn ports around the State which included Port MacDonnell, Robe and Southend. Further roll-out of the training materials to the wider industry is planned following the completion of this project.
Given the overwhelming response and participation in these courses, funding from Farmbis was needed to ensure that training could be provided to as many industry members as possible. Farmbis funding was successfully obtained to assist with both training programs delivered to the prawn and rocklobster sectors. The behavioural change observed as a result of the training would not have been possible without the extraordinary support from FarmBis SA for the Program.
6.5 Ensure South Australian prawn and rock lobster fisheries perform to international marketing and community standards.
Information outlining details about the project was forwarded to government agencies to inform them about the EMS project as well as encourage their participation in the project. A Technical Reference Panel was established which included a range of stakeholders that were thought to have significant expertise that could add value to the best practice standards and the overall EMS Programs. This was an important step to ensure that the standards being developed reflected expectations of the general community.
The Environment Protection Authority provided extensive comments on the best practice environmental standards for the Prawn EMS. This ensured that the best practice standards met or exceeded specific State legislation and policy requirements.
Discussion on the standards with the Seanet Extension Officer based in South Australia and the Marine and Coastal Community Network Coordinator for South Australia proved particularly useful as this provided an opportunity for members of the community with a viewpoint from outside of the commercial seafood industry to consider the EMS and provide useful feedback on the project.
Attendance at the Brussels Seafood Expo also provided an opportunity for market requirements to be investigated as part of this project. The Expo highlighted that the EMS framework is providing the consumer with confidence that the fresh seafood found in Australia is sustainably harvested.
The project allowed the prawn industry to consider and be exposed to a range of other certification systems such as the Marine Stewardship Council and ISO 14001 In Action Program. An investigation was undertaken with the Prawn EMS Sub-committee on the relevance of the Marine Stewardship Council to the prawn sector. It was felt that the EMS being developed accommodated and complemented the MSC accreditation system if the
19 2003/064 industry decided to pursue this at a later date. The Prawn EMS Sub-committee also found it useful to learn about the ISO 14001 In Action Program and consider its applicability to the prawn industry.
20 2003/064
Discussion
7.1 Integrated Management Systems
An interesting outcome from the project has been the way the environmental management systems have evolved in their development. The initial focus of this project was to develop EMS’s dealing with environmental issues associated with the industry. It became evident that there was a need for a management system to consider other industry matters such as occupational health and safety as well as food safety. The rocklobster Clean Green Program went further in accommodating food quality and animal welfare issues.
The Prawn EMS Sub-committee was alerted to the fact that an environmental best practice standard may potentially compromise a food safety requirement. The example raised was the possible impact of releasing harmful cleaning products into marine waters from prawn vessels. The suggested best practice standard was to encourage all vessels to use biodegradable cleaning products on vessels. However, so as to not compromise food safety requirements, the cleaning products are required to be strong enough to ensure that the product is safe to eat by the general public.
Therefore, both EMS’s were developed with consideration to various elements and requirements of the seafood business. The Prawn On Boat Management System has the capacity to incorporate best practice standards and related ‘flipcards’ relating to occupational health and safety and food safety risks. Whilst the rocklobster EMS had already incorporated occupational, health and safety risks, food safety risks, food quality risks and animal welfare risks. This was considered to be a logical and common-sense way forward for the prawn and rocklobster industry sectors.
This approach created excellent synergies with another FRDC Project (2002/231), Occupational Health and Safety National Extension Strategy, currently underway. The timing of this project has worked well with the development of an Occupational Health and Safety Code for South Australia through the project being managed by Ms Tanya Adams of Western Australia. Best practice requirements for occupational health and safety practices in the industry allowed the EMS’s to take advantage of this and incorporate best practice into the EMS manuals. The development of checklists for industry to be used by skippers on vessels has been facilitated through both of the FRDC projects.
7.2 EMS Delivery
The need for flexibility in the development, delivery and training on EMS was a key outcome of the project. The proposed methodology for the project planned to arrange training relating to environmental issues with the wider prawn industry. However, during the project the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery unfortunately suffered their first death at sea and Association activities became immediately focussed on occupational health and safety issues at this time. The EMS Sub-committee considered that the risk assessment and continual improvement principles still applied to industry activities regardless of the topic being investigated. For this reason, it was decided that the principles of EMS would be applied to occupational health and safety risks and incorporated in the training program under this project. Given that the chances of organising fleet wide training in the same year on two different topics would have been low and an inefficient way of doing business, it was decided to conduct risk assessment and EMS training focussing on occupational health and safety which was the immediate need of the industry. This highlighted the need to find the trigger within industry to get them interested in the process of continual improvement. Once this is achieved the same principles were successfully applied to other areas.
21 2003/064
The success of the rocklobster Program in particular is due to the process of delivery to the fishers. The initial trials of the training for the Clean Green Program with the Robe pilot group and the initial work in developing the EMS in conjunction with the fishers, meant that the EMS gained interest and the fishers provided excellent feedback on what was being proposed.
7.3 Industry Ownership
One key benefit identified from the project is the level of industry ownership and motivation surrounding EMS that has been fostered. Foster (2004) described a variety of participation levels within extension programs that could occur. This ranged from ‘manipulative participation’ where participation is a pretence, to ‘self-mobilization’ where people participate by taking initiatives independently of external institutions to change systems. The level of participation of industry in this project was aimed at interactive participation which is defined as “people participate in joint analysis, development of action plans and formation or strengthening of local groups or institutions”. This was achieved through facilitating the seafood industry groups to direct the development and implementation of the EMS’s.
It was important that the pace of learning, understanding, designing and implementing the EMS was at the pace of the industry “champions” who were controlling the outcomes. It was found that a critical success factor for the project was providing time for individuals to work through this process to foster the required level of commitment from industry without a “hard sell” approach.
7.4 Involvement of Stakeholders
It was found that both the prawn and rocklobster sectors needed sufficient time to develop their EMS “in house” before it could be discussed with people outside of the industry. The reasons for this approach was the potential level of scepticism from outside stakeholders in what the industry might be aiming to achieve on environmental issues. The intention of this approach was to maintain confidentiality of the Program, until the industry participants felt comfortable about the EMS Program and its ability to achieve the objectives the industry had set themselves. Hence, the timing and level of involvement of stakeholders was an important feature of working through the development of an EMS and it is suggested that industry groups give thorough consideration to the involvement of stakeholders outside of the seafood industry at the outset of any EMS project.
7.5 Building on Past Business Success
Both the prawn and rocklobster sectors have instigated changes to fishing practices over many years to improve environmental performance prior to the commencement of the project. A key factor which ensured a level of industry ownership over the EMS, was the concept that the EMS was a way of documenting and demonstrating all of the successful environmental initiatives that had been achieved to date. This concept both strengthened the concept of continually improving environmental practice over time, whilst providing a way to record the steps industry would be taking in the future to improve its performance.
This project demonstrated that for the EMS’s to be effective, they need to be specific to the particular seafood sector or fishery. The welcoming response from both the prawn and rocklobster industry to the developed best practice environmental standards, training programs and materials, highlighted that the EMS needed to closely relate to the fishing practices within each sector.
22 2003/064
Benefits & Adoption
8.1 Applied Ecological Sustainable Development
The EMS’s developed are aimed at being used as an industry tool whereby fishers can demonstrate that their practice is at a high standard. The standards aim to achieve long-term outcomes for the environment by giving due consideration to the broader environmental and sustainability responsibilities and therefore minimising their impact on the environment by changing behaviours. As a result of this project, there are now key personnel in the seafood industry with a strong and dedicated understanding of ESD principles and skills to enable them to participate in an ESD debate and develop appropriate strategies to represent their industry and State. The development and implementation of EMS is thought to have provided industry leaders with a way of describing in a common language how the industry is contributing to achieving effective natural resource management and ecological sustainable development.
8.2 Investment in Developing EMS Expertise
The creation of a State EMS Officer position to assist in the delivery of two EMS’s for two very different seafood sectors has meant that efficiencies have been gained from the project. The learnings throughout the project have been of value to industry groups both directly involved in the project and outside the project. It is considered that both commercial sectors have gained maximum value from having this strategic position in place.
Industry groups have also established important networks within the environmental field with stakeholder groups not directly connected to the industry. This has been a successful outcome of the project. Both the rocklobster and prawn sectors have engaged officers and individuals from stakeholder groups across the State.
The State EMS Officer has gained enormous expertise and understanding of EMS which can be communicated to other seafood groups. Profiling and communication on EMS across the State conducted as part of the project have also been of benefit to other seafood industry groups. The State EMS Officer was able to assist other groups in their development of EMS’s through various meetings and presentations.
Conducting this type of project through the Seafood Council has had benefits in terms of creating expertise amongst more than one person. This has allowed the State EMS Officer to work with other colleagues and improve their learning and understanding of EMS. The Seafood Council team has a wealth of experience and the existing relationships within the seafood industry has made working on this project more efficient and manageable.
8.3 EMS Adoption
Both the prawn and rocklobster sectors demonstrated changes in practice directly following the industry training programs. Following the risk assessment training conducted with the prawn industry, it is known that at least one licence holder has made substantial changes in the areas of occupational health and safety. Harnesses were purchased for the vessel and all crew are required to wear these at sea in circumstances where work is required off the deck at a height. In addition, guard rails have been installed in the engine room to protect from potential injury when working on the vessel.
The participation rate of fishers in EMS training, as well as the feedback received following the training, is considered an indicator of the willingness for fishers to actively engage in the EMS process. The numbers of seafood industry participants who were involved in training
23 2003/064 programs within both sectors was considered very successful. A total of 216 fishers (which corresponds to 118 boats) have participated in the training for the rocklobster EMS and all of these fishers have elected to be third party audited as part of the EMS Program. The decision to take the next step and be audited is considered a clear indication of the fishers’ commitment to the EMS.
The EMS is not intended to duplicate existing plans and policies but it is envisaged that the prawn and rocklobster EMS’s will complement and may even become part of the Fisheries Management Plans for the commercial fisheries. At the very least, reference will be made to the respective EMS for the rocklobster and prawn fisheries. This approach is likely to encourage ongoing use of the EMS.
24 2003/064
Further Development
9.1 External Risk Assessment
The focus of the environmental management systems for the prawn and rocklobster sectors was the identification of threats to the environment from the fishery as a whole and the possible actions from individual fishers. The scope of the EMS could be widened to include environmental risks to the environment from factors outside of the seafood industry. Further development would be required to accommodate these risks within the EMS framework.
9.2 Assessing EMS Benefits
The delivery of benefits from the adoption of the EMS’s developed will become evident over time. An assessment of the benefits delivered under each EMS will require appropriate indicators to be used. Given that EMS’s are about cultural and behavioural change in fishing practices, there is the potential for EMS documents to be delivered and shelved, with no resultant change in the way fishers perceive their obligations to the environment and to the community. This type of change is on a very personal level and requires time and often is not easily identified within a short-term research project.
9.3 EMS Manual Development
Further work is required to develop a series of checklists for the Prawn On Boat Management System manual. Checklists similar to those developed for the rocklobster sector would assist prawn skippers and crew to ensure that environmental obligations are further demonstrated through the recording and retaining of information on a day-to-day basis. The prawn sector is working towards a fully integrated management system that takes into account food safety and occupational health and safety issues as well as environmental risks in their On Boat Management System Manual. Whilst the prawn industry appreciates that this was originally outside the scope of this project, the EMS Sub- committee has indicated that this approach is the most efficient way for their operators in the seafood industry to implement a comprehensive management system.
25 2003/064
Planned Outcomes
10.1 Integrated environmental management programs for each of the rock lobster and prawn fisheries.
The EMS manuals that have been developed with the rocklobster and prawn industry sectors directly relate to the objectives and outcomes of the project. The manuals are designed to be added to, rearranged and reviewed so that they can be tailor-made to the needs of the industry and the general community. Changes in environmental legislation and corresponding practices are inevitable and industry’s management system needs to be able to be flexible and adaptable to these changes.
10.2 Broader involvement and understanding within South Australia’s fisheries of the principles of ESD and their application to South Australian fisheries.
Through the development of unique training programs for the rocklobster and prawn industry in South Australia, fishers have emerged with a stronger understanding of their obligations and responsibilities to the environment. The EMS has provided a way for the industry to demonstrate that they are achieving best practice for long-term sustainability of their environment and therefore their industry as a whole. The tools developed will assist these industry champions to continue to encourage and support the wider industry members in developing their understanding of the principles of ESD.
10.3 Key personnel in South Australia with a strong and dedicated understanding of ESD principles and South Australian fisheries.
The creation of the State EMS Officer role has provided the seafood industry with an important contact point on the development of EMS as a way of pursuing the principles of ecological sustainable development. This has been an effective and coordinated response to the need for someone to develop a level of environmental expertise within the industry. This outcome has already been recognised by the agricultural sector through their request for the State EMS Officer to address natural resource management workshops to discuss EMS and ESD in the seafood industry.
10.4 Key fishers in each of the prawn and rocklobster fisheries with the skills to enable them to participate in the ESD debate and develop appropriate strategies to represent their industry and the state on this and related issues.
The work conducted over the last two years with the Prawn EMS Sub-committee and SARLAC through this project has allowed each of the fishers involved to develop the understanding and skills needed to represent their industries on environmental issues. Their breadth of knowledge and expertise has increased substantially and the expansion of their networks with other stakeholders will allow these industry people to take a considered proactive approach to environmental dilemmas that may arise in the future.
26 2003/064
Conclusion
A significant milestone achieved through this project has been the development of On Boat Manuals which have been tailored to both skippers and crew in the rock lobster and prawn fisheries. By developing, documenting and implementing EMS as part of the manuals with key industry people, this has allowed a new system of environmental reporting to be introduced to the commercial seafood industry that will provide a level of transparency and accountability to the way industry addresses its environmental risk. The ongoing management of the system will be an essential tool used by fisheries that are progressing towards a “self management model”. The integration of a range of different issues such as food safety, and occupational health and safety, in the same system being used to manage environmental risks has increased the practicability of the manuals and potentially the cost of ongoing management.
The appointment of a State EMS Officer has provided an opportunity for someone working within the seafood industry to gain knowledge and understanding about environmental management systems and then work with the specific industry sectors in developing their own. It has also encouraged specific information on EMS to be profiled, discussed and presented in a range of forums to widen the audience on EMS and its tools to assist in ecological sustainable development. This EMS leadership role was used to initiate the discussing of environmental risks and became a contact point for the seafood industry on EMS.
The development of environmental expertise in the seafood industry was another key outcome of the project. For industry to have involvement and understanding of ESD principles and its application to South Australian fisheries, there needed to be a strong level of ownership by the participants in those fisheries. Specific groups were formed to meet, discuss and develop the EMS as it applied to them. The State EMS Officer had the opportunity to become involved in National EMS projects which also provided feedback to South Australian seafood industry groups on how EMS was progressing in other States.
Training and development opportunities were provided to the prawn and rocklobster sectors with excellent participation rates. Training was practical, relevant and resulted in an overwhelming positive response by the fishers. These opportunities allowed the development of training materials and programs as well as the creation of action learning on boats. The concept of risk assessment was provided which can be applied to all aspects and issues of the individual fishing operations. The training was a way of extending EMS to the wider industry and encouraging responsible and accountable attitudes to environmental risks.
A key outcome from the project was to ensure that the EMS being developed by the rocklobster and prawn fisheries performed to marketing and community standards. The involvement of other community groups outside the respective fisheries, were consulted and their input considered by the fishers. Opportunities were provided to assess the market requirements such as attendance at the Brussels Seafood Expo, investigation of Marine Stewardship Council and ISO 14001 In Action Program as well as discussions with Environment Protection Authority, Marine and Coastal Community Network and Ocean Watch Australia.
27 2003/064
Bibliography
Aslin, H J and Byron, I G (2003) Community perceptions of fishing: implications for industry image, marketing and sustainability. FRDC Report No. 2001/309.
Australian Farm Journal, September 2003, Volume 13, Number 7.
Australia’s National Framework for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Agriculture. Partnerships for sustainable agriculture – supporting voluntary adoption of EMS in Australian agriculture, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, Canberra.
Draft Code of Practice for Vessel and Facility Management: Marine and Inland Waters for Public Consultation. February 2005. Environment Protection Authority, South Australia.
Fletcher, W., Chesson, J., Fisher, M., Sainsbury, K., Hundloe, T., Smith, T. and Whitworth, B. (2002) National ESD Reporting Framework for Australian Fisheries: The ‘How To’ Guide for Wild Capture Fisheries. FRDC Report 2000/145. Canberra, Australia.
Foster, D (2003) Motivate Manage Deliver. Practical ways to improve your facilitation and extension services to the Australian Seafood Industry. SeaNet Training Program, Sydney.
Foster, D (2004) SeaNet Training Program, July. Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Canberra.
Ham, J (2001) Community Consultation Guide, Strategies for Positive Action. FRDC Report No. 2001/310.
Leadbitter, D (1999) Bycatch Solutions: A handbook for fishers in non-trawl fisheries. FRDC Report No. 1998/201. Ocean Watch Australia Ltd., New South Wales 2009, Australia.
MacDonald, N (1998) Management Plan for the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries, Internal document, Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. 23pp.
McShane, P. (2004) Proactive Environmental Management of Commercial Fisheries: Closing Gaps in Supply Chain Management. Project No. SIDF 2002/34, Seafood Services Australia.
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2003) National Environmental Management Systems Implementation Plan – A plan to implement National Framework for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Agriculture.
Ocean Watch Australia (2003) Circle of Dependence - Protected Species Handling Manual. Second Edition, Ocean Watch, Pyrmont, NSW.
Seafood Services Australia Ltd (2002) Take your pick! – the Seafood EMS Chooser, Queensland.
Ward, T., Tarte, D., Hegerl, E. and Short, K. (2002) Policy Proposals and Operational Guidance for Ecosystem – Based Management of Marine Capture Fisheries. World Wide Fund for Nature, Australia.
28 2003/064
Appendix 1 – Intellectual Property
FRDC has 40.78% share of intellectual property and therefore project income.
29 2003/064
Appendix 2 – Project Staff PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ms Samara Miller ADDRESS: Seafood Council (SA) Ltd PO Box 8 Port Lincoln SA 5606
Phone: 08 8682 4600 Fax: 08 8682 6253 Email: [email protected]
CO-INVESTIGATORS: Mr Martin Smallridge and Mr Roger Edwards PROJECT OFFICER: Mr Matthew Muggleton ADDRESS: Seafood Council (SA) Ltd Level 1, 16 Unley Road UNLEY SA 5606
Phone: 08 8272 7766 Fax: 08 8272 7767 Email: [email protected]
SPENCER GULF & WEST COAST SOUTHERN ROCKLOBSTER FISHERY PRAWN FISHERIES Dave Bryant - Prawn Fisher Mark Denton – Rocklobster Fisher EMS Sub-committee member SARLAC PO Box 1114 PO Box 262 Port Lincoln SA 5606 Robe SA 5276
Shaun Evans - Prawn Fisher Peter Fabris – Rocklobster Fisher EMS Sub-committee member SARLAC PO Box 56 Underwood Street Port Lincoln SA 5606 Southend SA 5280
Nathen Hood – Prawn Fisher Andrew Ferguson – Rocklobster Fisher EMS Sub-committee member SARLAC, Ferguson Australia PO Box 2613 95 Cambridge Terrace Port Lincoln SA 5606 Malvern SA 5061
Nick Paleologoudias – Prawn Fisher Kym Redman – Rocklobster Fisher EMS Sub-committee member SARLAC C/o Post Office PO Box 69 Port Kenny SA 5671 Rendelsham SA 5061
Greg Palmer - Prawn Fisher Daryl Spencer – Rocklobster Fisher EMS Sub-committee member SARLAC 40 Victoria Crescent PO Box 2676 Port Lincoln SA 5606 Port Lincoln SA 5606
Andrew Puglisi - Prawn Fisher EMS Sub-committee member PO Box 462 Port Lincoln SA 5606
30 2003/064
Appendix 3 – Prawn Industry Environmental Standards
31 2005 Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Industry South Australia
On Boat Management System
Ó
Environment
Ó
Occupational Health & Safety
Ó
Food Safety On Boat Management System
A sustainable prawn fi shery is in the interests of all prawn skippers and deckhands. The prawn industry depends on its people, the skippers and deckhands who often work in diffi cult conditions. This On Boat Management System has been established to assist you to manage market, community and Government challenges in the areas of: • Environmental issues • Occupational Health and Safety issues • Food Safety issues Sustainability is not just about getting good catches of prawns. It relies on reducing the fi sheries impact on the coastal environment, habitat and other marine species. Sustainable fi shing practices, handling and care of bycatch, waste management and disposal and general environmental management are all important. The following information covers best practice industry standards that relate to the environmental risks from prawn fi sheries before fi shing, during fi shing and after fi shing.
Before Fishing – at wharf Sustainability of prawn stocks Ecological interactions Prevent marine pollution Minimise noise pollution
During Fishing – at sea Sustainability of prawn stocks Ecological interactions Prevent marine pollution After Fishing – at wharf Prevent marine pollution Minimise noise pollution
Occupational Health and Safety information is also included. Food Safety information will be included in the future.
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Review
Each year, this On Boat Management System Manual will be reviewed and improved on by the EMS Sub-committee of the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association. Currently, the following people are members of the EMS Sub-committee: • Shaun Evans • Nathan Hood • Greg Palmer • Andrew Puglisi • Nick Paleologoudias (West Coast Prawn Fishery)
The EMS Sub-committee will write to every Association member and skipper and ask the following questions: 1. What are your general comments regarding the On Boat Management System Manual? 2. Do you have any concerns about any of the industry standards in the Manual, and if so, what are they? 3. Do you have any concerns about any of the outcomes of the Management System, and if so, what are they? 4. Have you encountered any near-miss accidents during the last 12 months either before fi shing at the wharf, during the fi shing trip or after fi shing when unloading or conducting maintenance activities? If so, what happened? 5. Have you discovered any potential risks during the last 12 months that may be occurring in relation to your prawn fi shing operations? If so, what are they? 6. What improvements can be made to the Manual?
The EMS Sub-committee will also consider the following information throughout the year: • information raised at Association meetings, • information raised by licence holders, skippers, crew, processors and buyers, • information raised at Fisheries Management Committee meetings, and • changes to legal requirements that relate to the best practice standards. A process has been implemented to allow easy reporting of risks and accidents by industry which will trigger an alert to review the Manuals. To report issues or suggest improvements, telephone: (08) 8682 1859 or email [email protected]
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Before Fishing Industry Standards
SUSTAINABILITY OF STANDARD BACKGROUND PRAWN STOCKS
Excessive fi shing effort All licence holders shall have a current prawn fi shing licence. Management plan for the Spencer Gulf and West The licence holder shall ensure that the boat has a maximum Coast Prawn Fisheries, vessel length of no more than 22 metres. August 1998 The vessel operator shall ensure that the maximum headline length of any single prawn net is no more than 14.63 metres. The licence holder shall ensure that the boat has an engine power of no more than 272kW.
ECOLOGICAL STANDARD BACKGROUND INTERACTIONS
Bycatch protection The licence holder shall ensure that the vessel is fi tted with a Management plan for the hopper. Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries, The Spencer Gulf Prawn licence holder shall ensure that the August 1998 vessel is fi tted with crab racks on the deck. The licence holder shall ensure that the fi shing nets are fi tted with crab bags.
MARINE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS Refuelling of vessels The vessel operator shall ensure that all hoses used for Environment Protection refuelling are in good condition and have the appropriate Act 1993 attachment nozzle or cam-locks to reduce the likelihood of spills at the marina. The vessel operator shall ensure that all fuel vents have a discharge bucket or sock to reduce fuel overspills. The vessel operator shall ensure that designated crew are trained and are competent in the refuelling of vessels. The vessel operator shall ensure that all oil and fuel spills are reported. Explosion on vessel The vessel operator shall ensure that a certifi ed gas test is Harbours and Navigation during maintenance conducted prior to conducting maintenance activities on board Act 1993 activities (i.e. welding the vessel in confi ned spaces, where applicable or that a gas detector is fi tted on board the vessel. Disposal of paint The vessel operator shall ensure that paint cans, paint thinners Environment Protection brushes, paint thinners and paint brushes are disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 and empty paint cans Disposal of vessel parts The vessel operator shall ensure that all vessel parts are Environment Protection ENVIRONMENT such as shackles, parts disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 of net etc.
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Before Fishing Industry Standards
MARINE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS Disposal of rubbish, The vessel operator shall ensure that all rubbish, cardboard Environment Protection cardboard boxes and boxes and plastic are disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 plastic as a result of loading the vessel Trimmings from trawl The vessel operator shall ensure that all cable waste is Environment Protection cables to be disposed of disposed of in appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 responsibly Runoff of harmful The vessel operator shall ensure that the cleaning agents used Environment Protection cleaning products into on board the vessel are biodegradable and diluted according to Act 1993 marine waters instructions on the container before being discharged. Sewerage discharge into The licence holder shall ensure that newly commissioned prawn Environment Protection marine waters vessels are built with chemical toilets. Act 1993 The vessel operator shall ensure that sewerage in port is disposed of through the sewerage pump out facilities available. Sump oil and bilge water The vessel operator shall ensure that oil fi lters, oil drums, bilge Environment Protection discharge into marine water and used engine oil is disposed of in the recycling waste Act 1993 waters (through broken oil station on the wharf. hoses, oil fi lters etc)
NOISE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS
Excessive noise during The vessel operator shall ensure that maintenance activities at Environment Protection vessel maintenance the wharf are conducted between 7am and 8pm each day. Act 1993 activities outside business hours (i.e. grinding, rattle gun) ENVIRONMENT
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System During Fishing Industry Standards
ECOLOGICAL STANDARD BACKGROUND INTERACTIONS
By-product* interaction The Spencer Gulf vessel operator shall ensure that controls are Fisheries Act 1982 met for the taking of Slipper Lobster and Southern Calamary. The West Coast vessel operator shall ensure that controls are met for the taking of Slipper Lobster, Southern Calamary, Octopus, Scallop and Arrow Squid. The vessel operator shall ensure that all by-product is recorded in the logbook.
* By-product – marine species that can legally be taken under operation of the prawn fi shing licence.
Bycatch^ protection The vessel operator shall ensure that the average fi shing shot Management plan for the duration, other than surveys, is 60 minutes. Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries, The vessel operator shall ensure that all bycatch shall be August 1998 carefully returned to the sea as soon as practically possible in accordance with the management plan. The vessel operator shall ensure that they comply with closure notices which restrict fi shing in areas of high abundance of protected species.
^ Bycatch – marine species that are illegal to take under operation of the prawn fi shing licence.
Habitat protection The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery shall be managed in Environment Protection accordance with the voluntary requirement that no more than and Biodiversity 15% of the Spencer Gulf will be fi shed at any one time (whole Conservation Act 1999 of fi shery). The vessel operator shall ensure that they comply with closure notices which restrict fi shing to within the nine trawl regions of Spencer Gulf. The vessel operator shall ensure that they do not trawl in permanent closure areas in Spencer Gulf.
Seagrass protection The vessel operator shall ensure that trawling occurs in waters Fisheries Act 1982 greater than 10 metres in depth.
Mammal protection The vessel operator shall ensure that all fi shing gear including Environment Protection trawl boards and nets are placed out of the water whilst at and Biodiversity anchor. Conservation Act 1999 The vessel operator shall ensure that all stranded or injured ENVIRONMENT mammals are reported.
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System During Fishing Industry Standards
SUSTAINABILITY OF STANDARD BACKGROUND PRAWN STOCKS
Maintain a sustainable The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and West Coast Prawn Fishery Management plan for the biomass of prawns shall undertake a stock assessment in accordance with the Spencer Gulf and West State Fisheries Act and Regulations. Coast Prawn Fisheries, (whole of fi shery) August 1998 The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and West Coast Prawn Fishery shall be managed in accordance to the fi shery management Environment, Protection plan which ensures that the spawning stock biomass is greater and Biodiversity than 40% of the virgin biomass. Conservation Act 1999 The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and the West Coast Prawn Fishery shall be certifi ed by Department of Environment and Heritage as an Ecologically Sustainably Managed Fishery under Part 13 and 13 (A) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and West Coast Prawn Fishery shall have a management plan signed off by the relevant stakeholders in which the document will contain a list of these stakeholders.
Ensure that the fi shing Fishing shall only take place in those areas identifi ed in the Management plan for the effort is controlled Fisheries Act 1982. Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries, (whole of fi shery) The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery shall be managed in August 1998 accordance with the fi shery management plan which ensures that the number of nights fi shed each year is 85 or less. Fisheries Act 1982 The West Coast Prawn Fishery shall be managed in accordance with the fi shery management plan which ensures that the number of nights fi shed each year is 120 or less.
Ensure that the prawns The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and West Coast Prawn Fishery Management plan for the taken are of a size shall be managed in accordance with the fi shery management Spencer Gulf and West that allows the smaller plan which ensures that the average prawns per kilogram for Coast Prawn Fisheries, prawns to spawn the fi shery is less than 40. August 1998 (whole of fi shery)
Ensure that the level of The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery and West Coast Prawn Fishery Management plan for the prawn recruitment is high shall be managed in accordance with the fi shery management Spencer Gulf and West plan which ensures that the recruitment index is greater than Coast Prawn Fisheries, (whole of fi shery) 35 prawns less than 35mm carapace length caught in a given August 1998 nautical mile.
Use sustainable fi shing The vessel operator shall ensure that all trawl nets have a Licence conditions under gear minimum mesh size of 45mm. Fisheries Act 1982 The vessel operator shall ensure that no more than 2 trawl nets Management plan for the are used at any one time. Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fisheries, ENVIRONMENT August 1998
Use sustainable fi shing The vessel operator shall ensure that the vessel is moved when Skippers Working Code of practices directed by the Committee At Sea as a result of changes to Practice closure areas.
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System During Fishing Industry Standards
MARINE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS
Prevent all rubbish, The vessel operator shall ensure that the vessel has at least Environment Protection cardboard boxes and one rubbish bin on deck. Act 1993 plastic going overboard The vessel operator shall ensure that as far as practical, all domestic rubbish found at sea (not necessarily belonging to the vessel) is collected and stowed on board their vessel. The vessel operator shall ensure that cigarette butts and other wastes are disposed of in the appropriate containers on board the vessel.
Disposal of vessel parts The vessel operator shall ensure that any vessel parts are Environment Protection such as shackles, parts disposed of in the bin on board. Act 1993 of net from net mending All parts and nets to be stowed on board and disposed of at at sea the wharf.
Disposal of blue The vessel operator shall ensure that blue strapping tape is Environment Protection strapping tape at sea disposed of in a bin on board the vessel. Act 1993
Prevent discharge of The vessel operator shall ensure that all bilge water is Environment Protection bilge water at sea discharged once at the wharf in the waste oil station. Act 1993
Prevent sump oil leakage The vessel operator shall ensure that all leakages of sump oil Environment Protection from engine rooms at sea are to be dealt with immediately when detected. Act 1993 The vessel operator shall ensure that the vessel has a bilge sock(s) onboard which are located in the engine rooms to avoid leaking of oily bilge water. The vessel operator shall ensure that all oil and fuel spills are reported. The vessel operator shall ensure that contaminated cleaning material is disposed of in an appropriate container at the wharf. ENVIRONMENT
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System After Fishing Industry Standards
MARINE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS
Vessel cleaning The vessel operator shall ensure that the cleaning agents used Environment Protection on board the vessel are biodegradable and diluted according to Act 1993 instructions on the container before being discharged.
Vessel maintenance The vessel operator and licence holder shall ensure that all Environment Protection (sandblasting and spray- major maintenance tasks are conducted on a slipway or dry- Act 1993 painting) dock or shipyard.
Sewerage discharge into The vessel operator shall ensure that sewerage in port is Environment Protection marine waters disposed of through the sewerage pump out facilities. Act 1993
Disposal of pallet plastic The vessel operator shall ensure that pallet plastic wrap and Environment Protection wrap and blue strapping blue strapping tape is disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 tape used for package prawn boxes
Disposal of broken The vessel operator shall ensure that any vessel parts are Environment Protection vessel parts such as disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 shackles, pieces of net etc
Disposal of garbage, The vessel operator shall ensure that all rubbish, cardboard Environment Protection rubbish, cardboard boxes and plastic is disposed of in an appropriate receptacle. Act 1993 boxes and plastic resulting from the fi shing trip
Disposal of oil containers The vessel operator shall ensure that all oil containers and rags Environment Protection and oily rags are disposed of in the recycling waste oil station on the wharf. Act 1993
NOISE POLLUTION STANDARD BACKGROUND RISKS
Excessive noise during The vessel operator shall ensure that maintenance activities at Environment Protection vessel maintenance the wharf are conducted between 7am and 8pm each day. Act 1993 activities outside business hours (i.e. grinding, rattle gun) ENVIRONMENT
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] 2003/064
Appendix 4 – Prawn Industry ‘Flipcards’
41 On Boat Management System Fishery sustainability
45mm
Ó Complete logbooks accurately to assist in the ecological Ó All trawl nets must have a mesh assessment of your fi shery size of 45mm or larger when stretched
14.63m
Ó Move the vessel when directed ENVIRONMENT Ó The maximum headline length by the Committee At Sea as of any trawl net must be 14.63 a result of changes to closure metres areas
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Prevent marine pollution
Ó Use appropriate attachment nozzle or camlock when refuelling Ó Dispose of oil fi lters, oil drums, Ó Report all oil and fuel spills to bilge water and waste oil in the Environment Protection Agency station on shore on 1800 623 445 ENVIRONMENT
Ó All rubbish found at sea must Ó Dispose of all rubbish and vessel be collected and stowed aboard parts on shore and disposed of on shore
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Ecological interaction
Ó Provide accurate data on all by-product in the logbook
By-product: Species that can be legally taken when prawn fi shing & WEST COAST SPENCER GULF
Slipper Lobster Southern Calamary WEST COAST
Arrow Squid Octopus Scallop
Ó Bycatch should be returned to the water as soon as practicable
Bycatch: Species that can not be legally taken when ENVIRONMENT prawn fi shing
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] On Boat Management System Ecological interaction
Ó Trawling must occur in deeper than 10 metres of water
Ó All fi shing gear including trawl boards and nets must be placed out of the water whilst at anchor
Ó Report stranded and injured animals to the National Parks and Wildlife on (08) 8688 3111 or 0428 883 113 ENVIRONMENT
TO REPORT ISSUES OR SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS: Telephone 08 8682 1859 or Email [email protected] 2003/064
Appendix 5 - Rocklobster Environmental Standards
46
The Clean Green Australian Southern Rocklobster Product Standard
COPYRIGHT © Southern Rocklobster Limited All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Southern Rocklobster Limited, Level 1, 16 Unley Road, Unley, SA 5061
Contents Introduction...... 3 Background ...... 3 Governing Rules and Regulations ...... 4 Clean Green Strategy Scope...... 6 The Clean Green Product Standard ...... 6 The format of the Product Standard...... 8 Recommendations on Good Practice ...... 9 Benefits of the Product Standard...... 9 The Clean Green Standard’s Relationship with Other Standards...... 9 Ownership and Usage of the Clean Green Certification Mark ...... 9 Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) ...... 9 Liability...... 10 Pot to Plate Standards and Audit Guidelines...... 11 POT: SUSTAINABILITY(Whole of fishery) The applicant for standards 1.1-1.4 is Southern Rocklobster Limited...... 11 POT: SUSTAINABILITY (Individual fisher) ...... 13 POT: BYCATCH ...... 14 POT: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTION...... 15 DECK: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTION ...... 17
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 2 of 17 Introduction
Background
The Australian Southern Rocklobster (Jasus edwardsii) industry through its peak body, Southern Rocklobster Limited (SRL), is committed to ecological sustainable development (ESD). It recognises the imperatives of delivering an exclusive and safe (‘clean’) food product of the highest quality to our customers through best practice (‘green’) in dealing with sustainability of the marine environment in its broadest context. It also values the delivery of a safe working environment for industry participants measurable in improved safety standards aboard its vessels and in its processing facilities.
The Australian Southern Rocklobster Industry is the rocklobster supplier of choice; recognised by customers as a world-class producer and marketer of desirable, ultra- premium quality lobster and lobster products for discerning niche markets. Its mission is to:
• have an industry culture that recognises providing customer value underpins success; • provide a safe, secure, and productive working environment for its participants; • maintain and continue to develop sound proactive environmental practices; • be an internationally recognised brand that is renowned for its quality, taste and value; • employ new processes and practices which enhance the development of a profitable industry for all members; and • generate sufficient profit to add value to the whole of the industry.
As part of achieving its mission, the “Clean Green” strategy has been established to meet emerging market, community and government challenges at all levels of the supply chain. The strategy covers the following broad areas:
• the need to address current environmental legislation and policy; • the need to address current workplace health and safety issues; • harmonisation of food safety standards; • the need to address food safety legislation; • the need to build awareness of, and foster pride in, the Australian Southern Rocklobster industry; • the opportunity to promote existing best practice in the industry to the wider community and • the opportunity to build the Australian Southern Rocklobster brand based on values that reflect world’s best practice from the “pot to plate”.
Key legislation governing the industry through the supply chain is shown below:
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 3 of 17 Governing Rules and Regulations
The chart below provides a guide to types of legislation relevant to the rocklobster supply chain and the areas of operational impact.
Ecological Environment protection impact Pot and biodiversity Act 1999
Sustainability State Fisheries Acts Deck
Catching Protection of the Sea (prevention Pollution sector waste of pollution from ships) Act 1983 management
On board product Environment Protection Acts handling Coast Protection Acts
Ship to shore Factory State Food Legislation & workplace Processor practices
Australian Maritime Safety HACCP/ Authority Act 1990 & State Exporter processing workplace safety Acts wholesaler
Retailer Consumer/ Australia New Zealand Food safety Food Authority Act 1991 and State Food Customers Animal Legislation welfare Prevention of cruelty to Independent animals Acts 3rd Party Audit Plate
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 4 of 17 Under the terms of the various legislation, industry participants (including licence holders, vessel crew, transporters, processing factories, distributors through to retailers), have obligations to take all reasonable precautions and exercise all due diligence in the avoidance of product and process “failure” in delivering the lobster food product to the consumer. Ignorance, lack of training and/or lack of commitment are not an acceptable response and this applies in the broadest context of environmental, food safety and quality, work place safety and animal welfare. These areas can be shown as follows:
Supply Chain Obligations Pot Sustainability Bycatch Environmental Interactions Animal welfare Deck Food Safety Food Quality Environmental Interactions Workplace Health and Safety Animal welfare Deck – Factory Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Factory Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Factory – Retail Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Plate Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare
Historically the industry has been segmented and action within segments has been at the individual or business level. In particular, given the export focus of live rocklobster, reliance has been placed in meeting Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) requirements. However meeting AQIS requirements solely will not ensure compliance with the range of legal, market and community imperatives of the industry. Indeed, in recent times governments have moved to implement assessment, inspection and audit procedures in at least:
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 5 of 17 • Environment – Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) Strategic Assessment of Fisheries • Food Safety – Victoria’s Primesafe and European Union export requirements • Work Place Safety – South Australia’s proposed Work Place Services Audits
In some cases responsibility through the supply chain is now spreading to all participants, particularly in the area of food safety. It can be anticipated that arrangements will need to be formalised in this area, for example between licence holders and processors. Another example is with export permits for Rocklobster conditional on favourable ecological assessment of the fishery by DEH the relationship between licence holder and exporter in this regard is absolutely symbiotic.
The development of integrated supply chain product standards and management systems, accompanied by third party independent certification, has emerged as a compelling and logical industry response, to cost effectively and explicitly deliver on the industry’s responsibilities. Clean Green Strategy Scope
The “Clean Green” strategy provides:
• Pot to plate standards - environment and product standards; • Training materials aligned to the National Seafood Industry Training package; • Industry training to meet the standards; • Best practice manual; • Audit protocol developed with guidance by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). JAS-ANZ is an internationally recognised accreditation body; • Independent third party certification of the rocklobster supply chain from “pot” to “plate” and • Branding materials for those achieving certification.
The Clean Green Product Standard
Southern Rocklobster Limited (SRL) has developed the product standard for those involved in catching, transporting, processing, distributing and retailing Australian Southern Rocklobster. This has been undertaken with assistance from the Australian Maritime College (AMC) and guidance by Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
The standard is complemented with a training program. The program has been developed specifically to provide a career path and to assist participants in the supply chain to fulfil their legal obligations in the areas described, through a consistent, informed and resourced basis for the certification of compliance with the standard.
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 6 of 17 Where possible, the standard captures best practice principles and, as a minimum, the legal requirements in the areas covered. It is important to note that the existence of the standard is in no way intended to replace or avoid the obligations specified by any legislation. However, working to the standard presents an opportunity to ensure legislative requirement are met in practice – a requirement often not met by industry Codes of Practice.
The standard will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis by SRL and or a qualified body, identified by the stakeholders when appropriate. The review will consist of interested parties with no single interest predominating. Such updating may include legislation change or Southern Rocklobster Limited change in requirements.
The Standard requirements:
• the application of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) on catching vessel • compliance with MARPOL requirements • the sustainable and ethical catching and handling of product • the adoption and implementation of HACCP • a documented and effective quality management system • control of factory environment standards, products, processes and personnel • a throughout the supply chain approach to management • the adoption and implementation of workplace health and safety requirements
Pot level requires certification in the following areas:
Supply Chain Obligations Pot Sustainability Bycatch Environmental Interactions Animal welfare Deck Food Safety Food Quality Environmental Interactions Workplace Health and Safety Animal welfare Deck – Factory Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare
Factory level requires certification in the following areas:
Supply Chain Obligations
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 7 of 17 Deck – Factory Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Factory Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Factory – Retail Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare
Plate level requires certification in the following areas:
Factory – Retail Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare Plate Food Safety Food Quality Animal welfare
The format of the Product Standard
The standard is structured from pot to plate in line with the supply chain as shown above. Each section of the standard begins with an issue and, in some cases, a statement of intent in column 1. Adjacent to the issue in column 2 the standard or specific criteria which must be met in order to gain certification are listed.
The guidelines to be followed by the auditor are in column 3 and any references are documented in the footer.
All criterion specifics in column 2 must be complied with to gain certification at the respective Pot, Factory and/or Plate level. (The detailed standard is presented in Appendix 1).
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 8 of 17 Recommendations on Good Practice
These criteria are recommended to all participants as being industry best practice, to which they should aspire. Where any of these recommendations are not met, it is still a requirement of the strategy that these areas of non-conformance are recorded within the auditor’s evaluation report. Benefits of the Product Standard
There are a number of benefits arising from the implementation of the Clean Green Standard;
• a single standard and protocol, allowing evaluation to be carried out by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB), who are accredited against the ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 and JAS-ANZ procedure 15. General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems • harmonisation of existing domestic and export standards • the Standard is comprehensive in scope covering the main areas of product safety and legality; • the Standard creates capacity for purchasers to ensure supply quality and safety aspects; • the strategy is industry driven and cost effective
The Clean Green Standard’s Relationship with Other Standards
Compliance with existing standards, Codex Alimentarius CAC/RCP 24-1979, Chapter 3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and AQIS Export Control (Processed Food) Orders (2001) Ownership and Usage of the Clean Green Certification Mark
The Clean Green Certification Mark is owned by Southern Rocklobster Limited (SRL). The usage of the Certification Mark is regulated and governed by the SRL and use of this Certification Mark is only permissible with licence agreement with SRL. Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB)
For the evaluation process to have credibility, evaluations for certification shall be undertaken by bodies that are both independent and competent. It will be a requirement that evaluation against the Standard shall be carried out by bodies formally accredited to the ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 (General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems). To comply with ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 Conformity Assessment Bodies must be independent of the organisations and activities that they are evaluating, whilst evaluators must have technical competence, including appropriate qualification, training and experience, for specific product categories. In addition, evaluations must be effectively supervised by competent staff following documented policies and procedures, and client confidentiality must be ensured.
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 9 of 17 Liability
Whilst SRL has endeavoured to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, SRL shall not be liable for any damages (including without limitation, damage for loss of business or loss of profits) arising in contract, tort or otherwise from this publication or any information contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a result of reading this publication or any such information.
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page 10 of 17 Pot to Plate Standards and Audit Guidelines Set out below is the Clean Green Pot to Plate standards and auditing guidelines. Additional information about the audit protocol can be obtained from Southern Rocklobster Limited. Reference documents are located on www.southernrocklobster.com.
OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES
POT: SUSTAINABILITY(Whole of fishery) The applicant for standards 1.1-1.4 is Southern Rocklobster Limited.
1. Biomass 1.1 The Jasus edwardsii Rocklobster fishery shall undertake a stock 1.1 & 1.2) The auditor to check the Rocklobster fishery stock harvested assessment (minimum requirement will be annually) in accordance with assessment against the Rocklobster Management Plan 1 sustainably the State Fisheries Act and Regulations . performance indicators to confirm compliance against the standards (1.1 & 1.3). For example, SARDI prepares the stock 1.2 The Jasus edwardsii Rocklobster fishery shall be certified by Department (Whole of fishery) assessment and PIRSA Fisheries prepares the Rocklobster of Environment and Heritage (DEH) as an Ecologically Sustainably Management plan in South Australia- Southern Rocklobster Managed Fishery, under Part 13 and 13(A) of the Environment Limited (SRL) will provide the stock assessment and Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Management Plan to the auditor. 1.3 The Jasus edwardsii Rocklobster fishery shall be managed in accordance to the fishery management plan performance indicators 1.2) The auditor to check if the ecological assessment of the which shall include; Rocklobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery report is certified by DEH as a sustainably fishery (DEH conducts the EA assessment of 2 a) Agreed exploitation rates each Southern Rocklobster fishery every 5 years). SRL will supply the EA assessment report. b) Agreed egg production3 rates
c) Agreed catch rates4 1.3) Review performance indicators documented in relevant fisheries Rocklobster Management Plans. The performance d) Agreed Pre-recruit abundance5 indicators are set by the appropriate set regulatory body.
1.4 All fisheries shall have a management plan signed off by the relevant 1.4) SRL will provide a list of the relevant stakeholders required stakeholders in which the document will contain a list of these to develop the industry management plan. stakeholders.
This section of the standard doesn’t assess the individual vessel operator; it is used to assess the whole Rocklobster fishery. For example, SA Northern Zone, SA Southern Zone, Victorian Eastern Zone, Victorian Western Zone and Tasmanian Fisheries.
For Example; SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Act and Regs- The Scheme of Management (Rock Lobster Fisheries) Regulations 1991 and the Fisheries (General) Regulations 2000, under the South 1 Australian Fisheries Act 1982; TASMANIAN Act and Regs- Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995; and VICTORIAN Act & Regs-Fisheries Act 1985 and Fisheries Regulations 1995. 2 The exploitation rate reflects the fraction of the population (legal size) harvested by the fishery each year. Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page11 of 17 OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES
POT: SUSTAINABILITY (Individual fisher)
2. Biomass 2.1 All vessel operators shall have a Rocklobster fishing licence. 2.1) Check the vessels operators fishing licence. harvested sustainably 2.2 All undersized and egg bearing females shall be returned to the sea. 2.2, 2.3,2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7) View Fish Watch (fisheries compliance) annual compliance report to confirm compliance 2.3 All licence holders shall ensure that allocated quota is not exceeded. (Individual fisher) against the standard or Catch & Disposal Records (CDR) must be accurately kept.
2.4 Vessels shall ensure that fishing gear and practices employed comply Fish Watch will advise the Conformity Assessment Body of any with the States Fisheries Act and Regulations. offences committed by the Clean Green Fisher regarding the standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6 & 2.7. 2.5 All licence holders shall record catch and effort and voluntary catch data. 2.5 View log books (voluntary catch sampling and/or catch 2.6 Fishing shall only take place in those areas identified in the relevant and effort data records) and SARDI reports (SRL will supply State Fisheries. these reports) of participation to conformance with the standard
2.7 Where restrictions to fishing apply in accordance (e.g. marine park, SRL will advise the Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) of any reserves and protected areas), these shall be complied with. individual Clean Green Fishers not recording there catch and effort data.
The total egg production reflects the reproductive capacity of the fishery by providing an estimation of the number of eggs produced by all mature females in the population, as a percentage of 3 the virgin egg production. The catch rate reflects the catch (kg) per pot lift taken in the fishery, and is closely correlated with lobster abundance. 4 5 The pre-recruitment abundance provides an index of the pre-recruit (undersize) abundance, using the number of undersized lobster recorded in the commercial catch each year. Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page12 of 17 OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES
POT: BYCATCH
3. Minimise 3.1 The vessel operator shall ensure that pots comply with minimum mesh 3.1) View Fish Watch (fisheries compliance) report to check bycatch mortalities size and escape gap requirements documented in the relevant State conformance or Fish Watch will advise the Conformity Fisheries legislation. Assessment Body of any offences committed by the Clean Green Fisher regarding standard 3.1. 3.2 Protected bycatch6 shall be carefully returned to the sea as soon as practically possible in accordance to the ‘Best Practice in the Australian 3.2) Check that the licence holder has completed the Clean Southern Rocklobster industry’ video. Green training (view Clean Green certificate), which will train in best practice by-catch handling practices.
Fish Watch to advise the CAB regarding any offences committed by a Clean Green Fisher regarding standard 3.2.
4. Comply with by- 4.1 By-product requirements are documented in the relevant State Fisheries 4.1 & 4.2- View Fish Watch (fisheries compliance) report for by- product regulations legislation. The vessel operator shall ensure that these requirements catch offences or are met on an ongoing basis.
7 Fish watch to advise the CAB regarding any offences committed 4.2 Records of the by-product species (eg. Giant Crab and Octopus) taken by a Clean Green Fisher regarding standard 4.1 & 4.2 are documented in the relevant State Fisheries legislation. The vessel operator shall ensure that these requirements are met on an ongoing basis.
6 Bycatch- all marine species that are illegal to take from the resource for any purpose, under operation of the fishing licence. 7 By-product- all non-target marine species (not rocklobster) that can be legally taken from the resource, under operation of the fishing licence. Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page13 of 17 OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES
POT: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTION
5. Seal protection 5.1 The vessel proprietor shall ensure that seal protection devices are fitted 5.1) A list of seal colonised areas (SCA) where Rocklobster to pots in accordance to the ‘Best Practice in the Australian Southern fishing occurs will be provided to the auditor by Southern Rocklobster industry’ video to prevent any adverse interaction with seals. Rocklobster Ltd. The auditor will check if a fisher operates in Seal protection devices are only required to be fitted when fishing in seal SCA. If the fisher does operate in SCA the auditor will check if colonised areas. seal protection devices are present on the vessel and if the protection devices can be fitted to the pot. 5.2 The vessel proprietor shall ensure that all stranded or injured mammals are reported to the appropriate environmental body. 5.2) The appropriate environmental bodies for reporting environmental observations will be outlined in the Clean Green 5.3 Records shall be kept in the ships log. Training. Check the fisher has completed the Clean Green 5.4 Where standard 5.1 is not conformed to an exemption may be given training when there is adequate scientific evidence that proves that fishing operations do not have any adverse interaction with seals. The auditor to check by demonstration e.g. the auditor to ask the fisher who they would call to report a stranded or injured mammal.
5.3) Check ships Clean Green Record for compliance.
5.4) View scientific evidence
6. Whale and turtle 6.1 The vessel operator shall ensure that pot rope length correlates to water 6.1) Simulation and demonstration as means of auditing this protection depth to minimise accidental entanglements of whales and turtles. standard eg. The auditor to ask the vessel operator how he/she ensures that rope length correlates to water depth.
7. Environment 7.1 The vessel operator shall ensure that all environmental observations (oil 7.1& 7.2) Check by demonstration e.g. The auditor to ask the protection spills, algal blooms, fish kills etc) are reported. fisher who they would call regarding an oil spill, other environmental observations & unusual marine species 7.2 The vessel operator shall ensure that all unusual marine species are identification. This will be outlined in the CG training. Check that reported and the deck and gear is cleaned and maintained in good the fisher has completed the Clean Green Training condition free from fouling. 7.3) Ask the vessel operator how the vessels hull and intake 7.3 The vessel operator shall ensure that the hull and any intake pipes pipes remain free from fouling? remain in good condition free from fouling. 7.4) Check ships Clean Green Record for compliance. 7.4 Records shall be kept in the ships log.
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page14 of 17 OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES POT: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTION
8. Rock Lobster 8.1 The vessel operator shall ensure that bait used for fishing operations is 8.1) The auditor to check the fishers’ bait on hand and/or bait fisheries use bait sourced from sustainable populations. Evidence of bait purchased for the receipts and check if it is listed as sustainable bait (SRL will responsibly, taking use of fishing operations must be available. provide a list of sustainable bait sources). into account the sustainability of E.g. Clean Green sustainable bait sources include; source population European carp (introduced pest) Bony Bream (introduced pest) Australian Salmon (quota managed fishery) New Zealand Mackerel (quota managed fishery) Barracouta Heads (quota managed fishery) Pilchards (quota managed fishery)
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page15 of 17 OUTCOME STANDARD AUDITING GUIDELINES DECK: ECOLOGICAL INTERACTION
9. All Waste 9.1 The vessel operator shall have an industry waste management plan that 9.1) Check the Environment Protection Authority report (supplied aboard the rock ensures: by SRL) to determine whether any Clean Green fishers’ have lobster vessel is a. disposal of all waste at sea is in accordance to MARPOL 73/78 been prosecuted for illegal waste disposal or the EPA to advise managed convention and the State Environment Protection legislation8. the CAB if a Clean Green fisher has committed an offence responsibly to regarding waste disposal. minimise any b. there is no disposal of oil, oily bilge water, oil filters and plastic at sea; adverse impact on Check that the waste management plan is available and is c. storage capacity for waste on board the vessel is sufficient for storing the environment. adequate. the anticipated waste material developed from a fishing trip; Waste a) Does the operator have the waste disposal document Management d. the vessel is fitted with a bilge rat(s) to avoid leaking of oily bilge water; “MARPOL 73/78 convention” on board the vessel? a. Household e. no plastic bait straps are taken to sea; and b)* Is there a waste oil container available (onboard or in the waste f. chemicals used have negligible impact on the environment. workshop) for transferring bilge rats/oil filters to the waste oil b. Oil & oil filters station? c. Cardboard & * Check Transport SA oil recycle records from waste oil stations Plastic located in each port & cross reference to the average fleet size in the port to confirm that the local fleet comply with the standard d. Bilge Oil (calculation completed by SRL).
c) Is there suitable storage capacity for waste located on board the vessel?
d) Is there a bilge rat present or available/ Is there a sealable storage container available for placing oil filters & bilge rats.
e) The auditor to check the fishers’ bait on hand and check if bait straps are present. If bait straps are present, then the auditor to ask the fisher to demonstrate how he ensures that no bait straps are taken to sea.
f) Check chemicals and ask how they are used. The auditor to
8 For example, the legislation in South Australia is the Environment Protection Act 1993. Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page16 of 17 access whether they have negligible impact on the environment (covered by the vessel hygiene and GMP check)
The auditor could also view the rubbish studies for the port if available as an extra verification activity
10. Refuelling 10.1 All crew shall be trained and competent in safe refuelling procedures. 10.1) The auditor to ask the vessel operator to demonstrate their refuelling techniques. 10.2 Spill kits shall be available in each port or by the refuelling vehicle, and all crew shall be trained and be competent in their use. 10.2) The auditor to ask how the vessel proprietor would clean- up a oil or fuel spill (check if a spill kit is available for vessel 10.3 All vessel operators to record incidents in the ships log or management operators to use eg. spill kits are predominately kept at Waste plan. Oil Stations in SA). The vessel proprietor to give a verbal demonstration.
10.3) The auditor to view the Clean Green and management plan.
Version 1, 20 April 2005 COPYRIGHT Page17 of 17 2003/064
Appendix 6 - Rocklobster ‘Flipcards’
64 Fishery sustainability POT com Maintain the sustainability of your fishery. Provide accurate data to accurate Provide assist in the ecological assessment of your fishery. Don’t exceed your allocated quota! exceed Don’t Report your catch weight. Quota avoidance Quota avoidance puts the sustainability of the stock under threat! (Jasus edwardsii) Follow Follow sustainable fishing practices. Undersized Undersized lobsters and berried females must be returned to the sea as soon as possible to ensure their maximum chance of survival. Only take legal sized lobsters from the fishery as documented in the fisheries regulations. Comply Comply with gear and fishing as practices stated in the regulations for your fishery. Southern rocklobster
For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © com Border Victorian For For more information: www.pir.sa.gov.au/sector7.shtml Western Australian Border Western image: SARDI Comply Comply with fishing restrictions. eg, Aquatic reserves. Acknowledge Acknowledge fishing boundaries. eg, the South Australian boundaries are below. For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] Fishery sustainability POT Minimise bycatch POT com Keep mandatory records Keep mandatory records of caught.bycatch Protected bycatch should bycatch Protected be carefully returned to the sea as soon as practically possible. To minimise use To bycatch sized mesh appropriate and/or escape gaps. For more specific information on mesh and escape gap sizes refer to your condition. licence Allowable by-product species. Allowable by-product Minimise bycatch Minimise mortality. bycatch Only take legal size Giant crabs from the fishery as documented in the fishery regulations. (Octopus maorum) Octopus Check your conditions for licence any other by-product. allowable gigas) The two main by-product retained species. Giant crab (Pseudocarcinus
For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © com mackerel South Australia 1800 065 522 Victoria 136 186 Tasmania 1300 368 550 South Australia (08) 8231 6931 (08) 8231 2120 Victoria 0500 540 000 Tasmania (03) 6250 3230 Best practice • Carp • Bony Bream Other bait approved sources • New Zealand • Barracouta heads • Australian salmon image: Transport SA Report Report stranded and injured animals to the National and Parks Wildlife or the environmental appropriate group. Report Report all environmental events such as oil spills, unusual marine species, algal blooms and fish kills and maintain a of the record sightings. Ensure Ensure bait used for fishing operations is from sourced sustainable populations. image: Jane McKenzie Seal Seal protection. Whale and turtle protection. Only use the required length of pot rope needed for the depth of to water minimise accidental entanglement of whales and turtles. If seals are present when you are fishing you must use seal protection in devices your pots. For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] Ecological interaction POT Southern Australian breeding seal colonies POT com Source: Bradley Page Listed Listed Southern Australian seal breeding areas.
For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © com -34-34 6.00 14.00 123-34 123 22.00-33 52.98 123 37.02 55.00-34 Round Island 123 33.00 Cooper Island-34 1.00 19.98 Salisbury Island 123-33 6.00 55.00 Poison Creek Island 123-33 16.98 122 59.00-34 Wickham (Stanley) Island 6.00 122 52.02-33 5.00 Glennie Island 54.00 57.00 Island Taylor 122-34 122 12.00 Peaks Twin WA WA -34 49.98 WA WA 122 28.02 WA 28.00-34 Kermadec Island(Wedge) 122 Kimberley Island-34 6.00 5.00 120-34 0.00 6.00 MacKenzie Island WA 120-34 55.02 2.00 Little Island 22.00 WA 119-34 28.98 Rocky Island(Investigator) 119 WA 42.00-30 46.98 Island West 118 34.98 39.00-30 WA Red Islet WA WA 115 40.02 Middle Doubtful Island-29 8.00 WA 48.00 Hauloff Rock 114-28 6.00 114 34.40 55.98 Buller Island 113 52.02 North Fisherman Island WA WA 49.98 Beagle Island Houtman Abrolhos Islands WA WA WA WA WA WA WA Lat-31 Lat 35.64-31 Long 130 34.80-31 Long 130 34.98 35.34-31 Location 130 35.34 Australian Great Bight colony 2-31 9.00 SA 130 36.54-31 4.02 Australian Great Bight colony 3 129 37.38 SA -31 3.00 Australian Great Bight colony 4 129 46.02 38.58 SA -31 Australian Great Bight colony 5 129 30.00 38.88 Australian Great Bight colony 6 SA -31 SA 129 22.98 40.62 Australian Great Bight colony 7-33 SA 129 18.00 44.00 Australian Great Bight colony 8-33 SA 124 46.00 Australian Great Bight colony 9-33 1.02 State SA 124 10.02 39.00 Australian Great Bight colony 10 SA 123 Spindle Island 1.98 58.98 Island(Halfway) Ford Six Mile Island WA WA WA -34-34 4.98 120-34 6.00 22.02 120-34 54.96 119 42.00-35 28.98 Rocky Island(Investigator) 118 34.98 10.98-34 Island West 117 40.02 25.02 Doubtful Island-43 WA 115 52.98 39.00 Hauloff Rock-38 146 12.00 25.02 Eclipse Island-39 142 15.90 10.02 Flinders Island-37 146 45.00 Maatsuyker Island 5.46 149 25.80 Lady Julia Percy Island 36.96 Kanowna Island WA WA The Skerries WA WA Tas Vic WA Vic Vic Lat-33 Lat 43.02-34 Long 124 13.98-34 Long 123 22.02-34 4.98 Location 123 37.02-34 6.00 Cranny Island 33.00 12.00 Cooper Island 122-34 122 Salisbury Island-34 33.00 7.02 30.00 13.02 122-34 Beaumont Island 122 Draper Island-34 21.00 9.00 122 4.02 1.02 Finger Island 121 Libke Island 3.00 WA 40.02 WA State Hood Island WA Seal Rock WA WA WA WA WA WA Lat-39 Lat 30.00-40 Long 147 57.00-39 Long 146 13.98-40 7.80 Location 146 58.80 15.00 Judgement Rocks 144 31.20 Island Tenth 10.20 Moncoeur Island West Reid Rocks Tas Tas State Tas Tas (North Island in the group) SA (North Island in the group) SA Seal Seal breeding colonies. -32 26.00-32 133 28.00-32 133 42.00 17.00-32 133 39.00 35.00 Small Rock NE IslandFrankiln -32 133 22.02 31.00 Small Rock S of IslandFranklin -32 SA 133 16.98 17.00 SA Lounds Island-32 133 15.00 Fenelon Island-32 7.00 13.98 Island West 132-31 7.00 29.52 Purdie Island 132 7.98 131 7.98 Middle Nuyts Reef 4.02 Nuyts Western Reef Australian Great Bight colony 1 SA SA SA SA SA SA SA -34 16.00-34 135-33 0.00 16.02 57.00 134-33 134 45.00 Rocky (North) Island-33 15.00 134 16.02 36.00-33 Dorothee Island 134 18.00 Pearson Island-33 1.20 46.98 11.00 Island Ward 134-32 134 43.00Island Waldergrave West SA 8.28 133 22.02 Cape Blanche Island 58.98 Jones Island SA Olive Island SA SA SA SA SA SA -34 49.00-34 136 59.00-35 136 13.02-35 4.00 20.00 Dangerous Reef 136 1.98 136-35 10.98 Smith Island-34 7.02 0.00 Albatross Island 46.00 135 South Neptune Island 135-34 37.02 43.00 1.98 Liguanea Island SA 135 Four Hummocks Island 16.98 Price Island SA SA SA SA Lat-35 Lat 46.00-35 Long 138 46.00-36 Long 138 18.00-36 1.67 Location 18.00 North Pages Island 137-36 0.00 South Pages Island 137-35 32.34 5.00 11.00 136-35 19.98 Seal Slide (Kangaroo Island) 136-34 42.00 7.00 Seal Bay (Kangaroo Island) 28.98 38.00 SA 136 North Casuarine Islet SA 136 Peaked Rock 28.02 SA SA 12.00 North Island English Island State SA SA SA SA -34 45.00-34 135 46.02-34 135 39.00-34 4.98 134 49.02-33 1.98 Little Hummock Island 134 45.00 45.00-33 Four Hummock Island 134 42.00 51.00 Greenly Island-33 124 18.00 52.02 Rocky Island (South) 124 Island Ward SA 6.00 SA 6.00 Daw (Christmas) Island Island New Year SA SA WA SA WA -36-36 3.00 136-36 4.98 136-35 55.02 4.02 19.98 136-35 42.00 Cape Bouger 136 13.98-35 42.00 North Casuarine Islet 136-33 7.02 0.00 Cape du Couedic 36.00 135-33 4.02 South Neptune Island 134 37.02 1.20 North Neptune Island 47.00 134 Liguanea Island SA Island Waldergrave West 8.28 SA SA Cape Blanche Island SA SA SA SA SA New Zealand New Fur Zealand Seals. Lat-35 Lat 54.42-36 Long 138-36 1.32 Long 137-36 2.46 4.08 Location 137-36 35.10 4.66 Cape Hart 137 28.80 1.74 Cape Linois 137 27.58 Berris Point Cape Gantheaume 2.64 Cave Point State SA SA SA SA SA Lat-37 Lat 45.00-39 Long 149 10.02-38 Long 146 31.20 31.98-38 Location 145 18.00 25.02 The Skerries-40 142 36.00 Kanowna Island 0.60 148 0.00 Australian Sea Lions. Seal Rocks 16.20 Lady Julia Percy Island Moriarty Rocks Vic Vic Vic State Vic Tas Australian Australian Fur Seals. For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] Seal breeding colonies POT Whales POT com IDENTIFYING FEATURES Blue-grey body with lighter flecking. smallVery sickle-shaped dorsal. fin,set well back on body. observed on Tail diving. Throat grooves. Right side of lower jaw is white, left side dark. Throat grooves. Body black or dark white brown above, below. Light behind grey crescent head. Dorsal fins small but obvious. long Very &partly white flippers. Small knobs on head jaws & flippers. Small lumpy dorsal fin. Humps back when diving. Throat grooves. Body very dark on top and light below. Throat grooves. 3 prominent midline ridges on head. Prominent dorsal fin 2/3 back from head. Blow and dorsal fin may be seen at the same time. No dorsal fin. Strongly arched jaw. Broad flippers. Large white lumps on head. “V ”-shaped blow. Large square head. Dorsal fin low and rounded. Rippled skin. Blowhole at front of head. Distinct black and white body colour. White patch behind eye. for for further information. FLIPPERS DIVING TAIL FLUKES AND www.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts/whales Whales in Southern Australian waters. BLOWING AND This information was compiled from text and diagrams found in "A guide to whales and whale in watching South Australia", South Australian Museum, 1993 and "Whales and whale in watching Australia", Australian National Parks and Wildlife, 1991 by National Parks and Wildlife South Australia for the Australian Great Bight Marine Park whale monitoring to program assist identification of whales. See RESTING AT SURFACE
For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © com General features of General toothed features and baleen whales. For improvements For or improvements to report issues > 1300 Telephone: 853 | 880 www.southernrocklobster. | Email: [email protected] Whales POT Environmental waste disposal procedures DECK
com image: AMSA image: rubbish Boat Material 25 NM > ALL Cargo Packaging Cargo rubbish home). Use recyclable bait Use recyclable can be that boxes and flattened unfolded use double Don’t easily. bait boxes. waxed Dispose of Dispose of on shore. responsibly possible. where Recycle Port ALL 12NM > Garbage Unprocessed image: Transport SA NO PLASTICS ANYWHERE 3NM > Garbage Processed Use a bilge rat to soak to Use a bilge rat oil. up waste STOW IT DON’T THROW IT! IT DON’T THROW STOW Remove straps Remove bait boxes from going to before and dispose sea correctly. of image: Transport SA Dispose of No Garbage Coast > 3NM Coast
Disposal of garbage - Best practice (bring practice DisposalBest garbage - of Disposal of garbage - Government rules and regulations. Disposal garbage - Government of LAND Disposal of garbage - Unacceptable practice. Disposal garbage - Unacceptable of oil and oil filters at your at oil and oil filters oil station. local waste NEVER DISCHARGE OIL OVERBOARD.
For improvements or to report issues > Telephone: 1300 853 880 | Email: [email protected] | www.southernrocklobster. [email protected] 1300 853 880 | Email: > Telephone: issues report or to improvements For © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, © © 2004, Southern Rocklobster Ltd. Rocklobster Southern 2004, ©
com image: Transport SA Transport image:
Least preferred practice. preferred Least image: Transport SA Transport image:
Use a spill kit for smallUse a spill oil or fuel spills kit for on land or water. image: Transport SA Transport image:
Acceptable practice. Acceptable
image: Transport SA Transport image: image: Transport SA Transport image: Best practice.
Safe refuelling. Safe Spill kit use.
image: Transport SA Transport image: image: Transport SA Transport image: Report all oil or fuel spills to the all oil or fuel spills to Report authority and State port relevant Controller. Marine Pollution - 08 8248 3505 South Australia - 1800 223 022 Victoria - 1800 005 171 Tasmania For improvements or to report issues > Telephone: 1300 853 880 | Email: [email protected] | www.southernrocklobster. [email protected] 1300 853 880 | Email: > Telephone: issues report or to improvements For Safe refuelling and spill kit use DECK 2003/064
Appendix 7 - Rocklobster Waste Management Plan
75
Waste Management Plan
Person Waste Item Disposal Method Records responsible
All plastics are to be recycled or disposed at the ports local waste Plastics Skipper/Crew disposal site, nominated by the relevant district council.
Oil, oil filters, All oil, oil filters, coolant, bilge rats & oily rags are to be disposed coolant, bilge rats Skipper/Crew at a waste oil station located in all major ports. and oily rags
All cardboard is to be recycled or disposed at a waste disposal Cardboard Skipper/Crew site, nominated by the relevant district council. Regular entries recorded in the Clean All house hold waste is to be brought back to port and disposed of Green log House hold wastes Skipper/Crew at the ports local waste disposal site, nominated by the relevant district council. All chemicals used are to be environmentally friendly (biodegradable) and shouldn’t need to be disposed, but if disposal Chemicals Skipper/Crew is required it will be done in accordance with the ports local waste disposal site procedures, nominated by the relevant district council. Old pots and ropes are to be recycled or disposed at the ports Old pots and ropes Skipper/Crew local waste disposal site, nominated by the relevant district council.
Issue draft dated: 25/03/2005