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Interim policy for the development of new fisheries in Victorian waters

July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this interim policy is to describe the approach to be applied by the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries (or delegate) in considering applications for new authorisations for commercial access to any wild catch fishery resource, under sections 49, 51 and 54 of the Fisheries Act 1995..

Context

Existing defined wild catch commercial fisheries in Victoria are, in general, at or near capacity in terms of fishing effort. Most species that are targeted by commercial fishers are classified as "fully exploited" or "environmentally limited".

New fisheries may arise as a result of environmental influences, including climate change, altering the geographic range of fisheries resources, from changes in market trends due to consumer preferences, or from the identification of new opportunities to harvest fisheries resources, such as those perceived to be under-utilised species in Victorian waters.

The program of reform work being undertaken by Department of Primary Industries as part of the Future Fishing Strategy (the Strategy) will provide the basis for establishing a developing fishery policy. As an interim measure, there will be a moratorium on new access to wild catch fisheries in Victoria.

Scope

This policy applies to the issue of any new permits or licences to authorise the fishing of any wild catch commercial fishery resource. It does not apply to the following:

  • Reissue of existing general permits
  • Renewal of existing fishing licences
  • Conversion of urchin and banded morwong to improved management arrangements
  • Issue of permits for the taking or possessing of fish for research, education, fish management, compliance, display or scientific purposes
  • Issue of aquaculture (private land) licences
  • Issue of recreational fishing licences
  • Issue of permits for Noxious Aquatic Species or marine pests
  • Issue of Protected Aquatic Biota permits
  • Issue of general permits to existing Aquaculture Licence holders for the collection of non-quota species for broodstock; and
  • Issue of permits for the trial of new fishing methods/gear where the fisher already has authorisation to take the species.
  • Issue of permits where the threshold issues outlined below do not apply.

The Department of Primary Industries will commence the development of a comprehensive policy to support authorising new access to fisheries in the context of Strategy in 2012. The intent of this process will be to develop a comprehensive regime that will provide a secure platform to support further development of Victoria's fisheries.

The issues that need to be resolved to support developing fisheries are key elements of the Strategy. They include:

  • Obtaining sufficient information to ensure resource sustainability
  • Resource sharing between recreational, commercial and aboriginal fishers
  • Any eligibility criteria that must be met in order for commercial access to a fishery to be granted, the process to acquire, grant or issue an entitlement
  • The specification of commercial access rights (input/output controls, harvest strategy, fishing rules, reporting)
  • The design of science, management and compliance programs required to service a new fishery
  • The funding arrangements necessary to deliver the science, management and compliance programs, including cost recovery from holders of commercial fishing entitlements
  • Consideration of financial return to the community for exclusive commercial access; and
  • Satisfying any statutory process requirements under Victorian and Commonwealth law.

Ad hoc decisions about new access are contentious and cannot address the issues outlined above. Such decisions create risks and the potential that new arrangements will be inconsistent with the regime to be developed through the Strategy.

Therefore, while a considered position is being developed on these issues, Department of Primary Industries will not authorise any new access to wild catch fisheries. An exception is that the commitment in the Commercial Fishing Statement of Intent to consider the transition of currently designated developing fisheries into improved management arrangements will be addressed. The current developing fisheries are sea urchin and banded morwong.

Policy Statement

New access will not be granted to fish for any wild catch fishery resource in any Victorian waters until further notice.

This interim Policy Statement will be reviewed in 12 months.