July 2019 Chairman’S Report We Have
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NEWS July 2019 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT we have. In recognition of this Grant - round one funding positive step forward, the NLC was successful. Full Council granted a further 18 month extension to waive As a result we have the need to have a permit commenced work to progress to access intertidal waters our priorities under our adjacent to Aboriginal Land. Strategic Plan through the project, which will develop a This is the biggest step sustainability strategy. forward that we have had for some time now and I would I am really pleased to report like to thank Anthony Ciconte, that we are also advertising our Vice Chair for playing an for a new position at the integral role representing the Northern Territory Seafood Northern Territory Seafood Council! The position is for Once again the negotiations Council in the negotiations. an Executive Officer to work for intertidal access have alongside and with Katherine been at the forefront of board Recently the Northern and Donna. discussions and the focus of Territory Seafood Council the Northern Territory Seafood received concerns about my This has been a long time Council. role as Chair of the Aquarium coming, the role is essential Committee given the current to roll out both improvements I am pleased to say that and future management to the Northern Territory we are making progress changes happening to the NT Seafood Council and deliver here, the Northern Territory Aquarium fishery. on our strategic plan. Seafood Council has been involved in the latest round of In line with the Northern During their first year the negotiations that has resulted Territory Seafood Council’s successful person will in a Heads of Agreement strategic goal of building and have a focus on delivering document that has been maintaining trust through and implementing the signed by the Northern Land transparency and unity I sustainability project. Council, Northern Territory decided to step down from Government, Amateur Fishers the role. This project will be an of the Northern Territory, excellent opportunity for the NT Guided Fishing Industry An election was held to team member to quickly be Association and ourselves. identify a new Chair and I am across the issues, challenges pleased to advise that NTSC and opportunities the NT The Heads of Agreement member, Mr Jamie Beard seafood industry faces. document is in line with was appointed as Chair Northern Territory Seafood Aquarium Committee and I would like to express my Council policies and whilst also the nominated person gratitude to all who attended not legally binding, sets to represent the Aquarium our Crisis Communication the pathway forward for all Committee on the Northern event in May this year. And parties. Territory Seafood Council I especially thank David Board. Carter, Helen Jenkins and It importantly, in its our MC Catie Kirke for taking development, aided all the I am delighted the Northern the stage and sharing their groups to identify to recognise Territory Seafood Council’s experiences. how much common ground bid for the Our Marine Park Newsletter of the Northern Territory Seafood Council www.ntsc.com.au Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Frances Bay, Darwin GPO Box 618 Darwin NT 0801 | Telephone 08 8981 5194 Facsimile 08 8981 5063 | Email [email protected] ABN 85 918 271 276 22 The event was a great success QUICK READ and created a forum where ideas are shared, trust is built Board Communique We are hiring - An EO and the seafood industry is The NTSC Board meets quarterly Based in the heart of the NT on the leading edge of the and the May communique can seafood industry at the Northern discussions. be read on page 5. Territory Seafood Council offices, in Fishermen’s Wharf, Daniel Kimberley, Reef fish protection areas - Darwin - this exciting new role NT Seafood Council no go zone will help us drive change. Learn Chairman It is up to each commercial more on page 10. operation to ensure that the vessels skipper is aware of Board Agenda protected areas whilst out on Have a suggestion for agenda the water. Read more page 8. items for the Board? Send your ideas through to admin@ntsc. Action plan during a Tropical com.au Cyclone event Not knowing where Blue Mud Bay region professional fishers are, or looking for collaboration their emergency plans, further The aim of the forum was complicates the difficult task to share information about and timeliness for post event a range of industries to aid well-being checks. Read more in identification of suitable on page 12. economic development on country. Read more on page 7. Listening to our Stakeholders It is vital that NTSC understands 2019 Membership Surey how it is performing from a A key question each year is stakeholder perspective as well what are the top three business as learning from stakeholders challenges and this year we saw what they believe to be the key an increase again in ‘access’ risks facing the NT seafood issues being the top answer. industry. Learn more on page 4. Learn more on page 8. Communication is the key Prefer a hardcopy of the FISH It was clear from both speakers publication? that despite preparation and The Fisheries Research and support, crisis events have an Development Corporation impact beyond the crisis. Read (FRDC) FISH magazine is more on page 6. available online, on iPad app, and on Android app. For more NTSC Members Centre details, visit: //www.frdc.com. Members can manage contact au/Media-Publications/FISH details, select information interests and access If you do not have internet member only information, by access please fill free to contact visiting www.ntsc.com.au/ the NT Seafood Council on 8981 membercentre 5194 and we will happily assist you in subscribing directly with FRDC. Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) Cover Photo: Nightcliff Jetty, Darwin in 2018. Photo by Donna English. 3 LISTENING TO OUR ALL PARTIES WORKING TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS The Northern Land Council’s Full Council meeting in late In 2018 the Northern Territory Seafood June this year enabled the signing of a historic Heads of Council (NTSC) conducted its first Agreement to resolve ongoing issues with the Blue Mud annual Stakeholder survey to seek Bay High Court decision. feedback on value and performance. A result of the past five years of work in which the It is vital that NTSC understands how Northern Land Council’s Sea Country Working Group, it is performing from a stakeholder Northern Territory Government, the Amateur Fishermen’s perspective as well as learning from Association of the NT, the NT Guided Fishing Industry stakeholders what they believe to be Association and the Northern Territory Seafood Council the key risks facing the NT seafood had been working together to progress a way forward. industry. ‘This is an historic event, it’s been a long time coming from Similar to that of the concerns raised by the High Court decision on Blue Mud Bay,’ NLC deputy members from our 2018 Membership chairman John Christopherson told the meeting. Survey, stakeholders reported ‘access’ to be the top emerging risk ‘We are very happy to move forward with the Northern for industry. Land Council in the spirit of cooperation through a Heads of Agreement with all parties,’ said Northern Territory The 2018 survey was distributed to Seafood Council CEO, Mrs Katherine Winchester. almost 300 stakeholders and was open for a three week period between ‘It is critical the ongoing uncertainty is brought to an end 5 February 2019 and 26 February and we work collaboratively to create a solution that 2019. delivers more for the Territory,’ Ms Winchester went on to say. 82% of respondents agreed that the promotion and awareness work being The agreement was signed by all parties at Nituikluk (near undertaken by the NTSC is increasing Katherine, NT) and to support progressing the agreement, community awareness and reducing the NLC Full Council also supported an extension to allow negative perceptions. And 91% of fishing access for a further 18 months to intertidal waters. respondents agreed that the NTSC is This waiver of the need for a permit, will be reviewed at seen as credible organisation. each NLC Full Council meeting (every 6 months) to ensure that matters are progressing in the spirit of cooperation The survey will be undertaken annual and in line with the Heads of Agreement. to aid evaluation of the NTSC against the NTSC Strategic Plan 2018-2023. This includes reporting on twelve Key Performance Indicators that will be used to represent a snapshot of our progress. The 2018 Stakeholder Survey report can be view by visiting www.ntsc. com.au/content/feedback 4 Communique May 2019 The Board of Northern Territory Seafood Council how we as an organisation deal with conflict and Incorporated met on 23 May 2019 at Northern also behaviours are important. Territory Seafood Council offices, Darwin. Given the importance of both these matters, we This communique has been provided as will look to progress them at our next meeting. a summary for members of the key items Having a conflict resolution process that provides discussed. Apologies were received from transparency and consistency is important. The Chauncey Hammond, Horst Fischer and Tony Board recognised, we must have processes in Thiel. David Baumber was noted as absent. place as well as continually encourage members to put forward their concerns so the NTSC can appropriately address and deal with any issues. IMPROvE STRuCTuRES FOR AN Whispers and rumours about conflicts of interests EFFECTIvE NORTHERN Territory or disputes harms not only the reputation of our SEAFOOd COuNCIL organisation it reflects poorly on our industry The Board reviewed and approved the budget overall.