Council Fisheries Co-Management
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Fisheries Co-management Council Annual Report 2002-03 The Fisheries Co-Management Council is a Statutory Body established under the Fisheries Act 1995 to promote the co-management of Victorian fisheries. Council defines co-management as ‘aquatic biological resources managed cooperatively by government and user groups’. Fisheries Co-Management Council Level 6 369 Royal Parade Parkville, VIC 3052 Telephone: (03) 9347 9299 Facsimile: (03) 9347 9399 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fcc.vic.gov.au Executive Officer – Nik Phizacklea Communications Manager – Jess Strickland Administration Officer – Alison Cobbledick Published by the Fisheries ©The State of Victoria, Co-Management Council, Parkville, Fisheries Co-Management Council, Victoria, October 2003. October 2003 Also available from This publication is copyright. No part www.fcc.vic.gov.au may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the Photographs by R. Sthradher, the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Fisheries Co-Management Council and the Department of Primary ISBN 0-9580439-2-2 Industries Note: This publication may be of Printed by Work and Turner, assistance to you, but the State of Tullamarine, Victoria Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is Design by Griffin Graphics, Diamond without flaw or is wholly Creek, Victoria. appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for an error, loss or other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. ii Contents Organisational Structure iv Chair’s Introduction 1 Vision 2 Mission 2 The Council and Fishery Committees 3 Operations 5 Statutory Functions and Responsibilities 6 Implementation of the Fisheries Act 1995 7 Key Stakeholders 13 Fisheries Stakeholder Relationships 14 Ministerial Advice 15 Fisheries Management Plans 16 RFL Trust Account & Grants Program 17 Status of Victoria’s Fisheries Resources 2002/03 18 - Abalone Fishery Committee Review 28 - Commercial Rock Lobster & Giant Crab Fishery Committee Review 31 - Recreational Marine Fishery Committee Review 39 - Scallop Fishery Committee Review 45 - Commercial Bays & Inlets Fishery Committee Review 55 - Research Committee Review 62 - Inland Fishery Committee Review 70 - Aquaculture Committee Review 74 Revenue & Expenditure 81 General Information 84 Compliance Index 86 The Fisheries Co-Management Council Annual Report 2002 – 2003 has been prepared in accordance with S.92(1) of the Fisheries Act 1995 and the Financial Management Act 1994. iii Organisational Structure Victorian Government Minister for Agriculture The Hon. Bob Cameron MP Fisheries Fishery Co-Management Council Committees Executive support iv Chair’s Introduction Management of Victoria’s fisheries has undergone a number of significant changes in 2002/2003. The functions of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment were transferred to the Departments of Primary Industries and Sustainability and Environment. Fisheries management is now the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, The Hon. Bob Cameron MP. We welcome Minister Cameron’s enthusiasm and commitment to his portfolio and thank Minister Broad for her support of Council’s endeavours. A very detailed review of Victoria’s fisheries management was concluded when the Environment and Natural Resources Committee’s second report was tabled in Parliament in June 2002. The report outlines an ambitious agenda for Council Chair John Sherwood and Minister Cameron, Victorian fisheries and provides a at the FCC Office Opening comprehensive overview of supported and three are supported similar audit. In his forward to the important issues for fisheries in principle. We look forward to Rock Lobster Management Plan management including ecologically working with Government, our Minister Cameron states: sustainable development (ESD), stakeholder groups and the wider resource allocation, quota based “…the development of these Plans community to implement these has been achieved through extensive management, compliance and recommendations. enforcement, cost recovery and consultation with key stakeholder groups. The planning process has royalties. The report promotes the The development of management been overseen by the Fisheries Co- gathering of more and better plans, which incorporate the management Council, and effective information on fish stocks and the principles of ESD is a central task for stakeholder input was achieved utilisation of that information to Fisheries Victoria. Management plans through a Steering Committee with support sustainability and recovery for the Rock Lobster and Giant representatives from major groups and to minimise activities resulting in Crab fisheries were finalised in 2003, who were all invited to participate. adverse impacts on fish stocks. The adding to those already declared for A draft Plan was released for public report encourages a shift to whole- abalone, eels, and the Bendigo and comment and submissions from the of-ecosystem management. In its Goulburn–Eildon regions. public have been taken into response the Government has Environment Australia audited the consideration in the preparation of supported 46 of the Report’s Abalone Management Plan during the final Plan.” recommendations, given in principal 2003 and determined that it met the support to another 16 and partially Commonwealth’s ESD requirements, Council believes the process has supported three others. Ten of the allowing export approval for the reflected the best principles of co- 12 recommendations specifically fishery. This was a significant management. The model is mention Council, seven are fully achievement – the rock lobster and currently being applied to the giant crab plans are to undergo a development of management plans for Victoria’s newly declared aquaculture zones. 1 The sustainability of fisheries is commercial fishing licences for these David Hewat - For service as a intimately linked to the marine and waters. This acquisition has added to successful entrepreneur freshwater ecosystems which uncertainty within the commercial translating skills to others in the support them. These ecosystems are fishing sector and highlighted the community vulnerable to a range of threats and need for a clear fisheries resource Corrie Banks - For long service this review year saw continuing allocation policy. to recreational angling and drought coupled with severe boating bushfires in north–east Victoria, This period has also seen significant place considerable pressure on both changes within the Co-Management Also, Richard McLoughlin, Executive inland fisheries and aquaculture Council. One of the first tasks of the Director of Fisheries Victoria and I enterprises. In these and other cases Council was the appointment of were formally recognised by the long-term solutions require new Fishery Committees. These State Government for our cooperation between many Committees have a rich blend of contributions to the creation of organisations. Over the coming year experience and enthusiasm. We Victoria’s system of marine national Council will continue to develop its have also been fortunate to recruit parks and marine sanctuaries. links with natural resource agencies excellent staff as vacancies have This report outlines Victoria’s of relevance to fisheries. Fisheries arisen. The move to new offices in progress in meeting the objectives of Victoria, the Victorian Coastal March this year, coupled with a new its Fisheries Act 1995. It contains Council, Environment Protection logo and corporate identity some new sections and is presented Authority, Department of completed Council’s transformation. in an altered format to make it a Sustainability and Environment, Parks I believe these changes have resulted more informative document. Victoria, Catchment Management in a Fisheries Co-Management Council Council are committed to and Water Authorities all have better equipped to work for the continuously improving the Annual important roles in ecosystem sustainability of our State’s fisheries. Report and welcome any comments management. The commitment of Council and leading to its enhancement. During the reporting period the Committee members to fisheries I am grateful for the support of all State Government committed to and the environment was associated with Council and with the enhancement of recreational recognized in the wider community them look forward to facing the fishing opportunities in Gippsland’s during the year. National Centenary fisheries challenges in the year bays and inlets by declaring Fishery Medals were awarded to: ahead. Reserves primarily for the benefit of Lyn Warn - For service to the recreational anglers. Creation of two commercial fishing industry of of these Reserves at Lake Tyers and Victoria Mallacoota Inlet has involved the Bronwyn Burton - For service to compulsory acquisition of the environment Assoc. Prof. John Sherwood Chair, Fisheries Co-Management Council FCC vision: The sustainable use of aquatic biological resources, managed in partnership for the benefit of the community. FCC mission: To develop partnerships and provide well rounded advice promoting the ecologically sustainable development of aquatic biological resources. 2 The Council and Fishery Committees Council and Committee In November 2002 Fishery Robert Krix (Fisheries Revenue membership is expertise based. Committee members were Allocation Committee), Bernie Between them members have high appointed for a term of three years. Dean (Minister for Agriculture’s