TORRES STRAIT REGIONAL AUTHORITY AND FISHERIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
REQUEST FOR QUOTATION
FOR
CONSULTANCY FOR PROJECT:
Development of a Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Traditional Inhabitant Commercial
Finfish Fishery Action Plan for the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery
1. INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is an Australian Government statutory
authority charged with strengthening the economic, social and cultural development of
the Torres Strait to improve the lifestyle and well-being of Torres Strait Islanders and
Aboriginal people living in the region. The TSRA formulates and implements a plan to
guide the progress of the Torres Strait region, the Torres Strait Development Plan,
through targeted programs.
This project forms part of the TSRA’s Fisheries program.
The outcomes of the fisheries program are to achieve:

Improved wealth of Indigenous people in the region

A sustainable fishing industry owned and operated by Indigenous people

Sustainable management of natural resources
TSRA working with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal fishers and communities seeks to
identify viable options that will contribute to the program outcomes above. To this end
TSRA wishes to initiate actions and activities within the Torres Strait to further advance
successful commercial activities within the finfish industry involving Torres Strait
Islanders and Aboriginal people residing in the Torres Strait.
In 2005 the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) agreed to move towards greater
Traditional Inhabitant allocation in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery to fulfil its obligations
under the Torres Strait Treaty to promote economic development and employment for
Traditional Inhabitants in the Torres Strait, and to provide Papua New Guinea with its
entitlement of the commercial finfish catch. The key species caught in the finfish fishery
are Spanish mackerel and coral trout.
In 2007 the PZJA completed a buyout of all non-Traditional Inhabitant finfish catch
entitlements, meaning that Traditional Inhabitants now hold all of the Australian
allocation of the finfish entitlements. Traditional Inhabitant Boat (TIB) fishers have a
limited capacity to fish the finfish fishery, and as a condition of the buyout, it was agreed
that licences would be leased back to the non-Traditional, Transferrable Vessel Holder
(TVH) sector until the TIB sector could increase its catch to the full allocation. This
ensures that Torres Strait finfish markets are maintained.
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The TSRA Board holds and administers the finfish quota in trust on behalf of the
Traditional Inhabitants. Revenue raised from leasing quota is reinvested into community
fishing initiatives aimed at building the capacity of the TIB fishing industry through Finfish
Quota Trust Revenue Grants.
According to the 2012 Fishery Status Reports produced by the Australian Bureau of
Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science, neither Spanish mackerel nor coral
trout are overfished. In terms of economic status, a positive net economic return is likely
in the TVH sector. However the report also noted that ‘the leasing of quota to TVH
operators also provides funding for economic development. While these outcomes meet
the fishery’s objectives of providing opportunities for fishery participation and economic
development, it is uncertain whether its optimum utilisation objective is being met’.
A management plan for the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery was finalised in 2013. The plan
provides for the setting of a total allowable commercial catch. TVH fishers are required to
operate through the leasing of a ‘sunset licence’ and fishing entitlements.
According to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, in 2011-2012 TIB fishers
reported a total catch of around 2 tons of each species or around 5 per cent of the total
catch in the fishery.
a Fishery statistics are provided by fishing season, unless otherwise indicated. Fishing season is
1 July to 30 June. Real-value statistics are by financial year and are in 2011-12 dollars. b Catch
figures include both TVH and TIB catch.
Source: Woodhams, J, Vieira, S & Stobutzki, I (eds) 2013, Fishery status reports 2012,
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.
2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
2.1 Main Task
1. Undertake a consultation and review process to inform and deliver a Torres Strait
Islander and Aboriginal Traditional Inhabitant Commercial Finfish Fishery Action Plan
(Finfish Action Plan) for the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery that achieves the objectives of the
Fisheries Program which are:
-
improved wealth of Indigenous people in the region
-
a sustainable fishing industry owned and operated by Indigenous people
-
sustainable management of natural resources.
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The Finfish Action Plan must work towards:
-
increasing the TIB participation in the fishery
-
increasing Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous employment in fishing and related
industries
-
advancing successful commercial activities in the finfish fishery, including analysis
of post-harvest matters such as potential markets and marketing strategies
-
ensuring the sustainability of the finfish fishery
2. Review the previous and current TSRA administration arrangements for the Torres Strait
Finfish Fishery, including leasing arrangements and Finfish Quota Trust Revenue Grants,
and identify any shortcomings or recommendations for the future. This may include
advice on how to set the price for the leasing of finfish entitlements.
3. Conduct research as necessary to inform and support the findings and recommendations
of the action plan.
4. Conduct interviews with relevant Torres Strait finfish industry stakeholders as specified
by TSRA including:
-
TIB and quota lessee fishers
-
seafood wholesalers and processors
-
live fish exporters and transporters
-
Queensland peak seafood industry bodies
-
former Torres Strait finfish fishers
-
other relevant finfish industry stakeholders.
5. In addition to the Finfish Action Plan, develop and deliver a communication plan outlining
detailed communication activities and actions to communicate the Finfish Action Plan to
stakeholders.
6. Undertake relevant communication activities and actions as outlined in the
communication plan
2.2 Deliverables
The successful supplier will be required to provide TSRA with:
a. A Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Traditional Inhabitant Commercial Finfish
Fishery Action Plan for the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (with provision of drafts as
appropriate for comment prior to finalisation)
b. A communication plan outlining detailed communication actions for communicating
the action plan to stakeholders.
2.3 Timeframe
This consultancy is to be completed by 30th November 2014.
2.4 Budget
The budget available for this activity is up to $120,000 exclusive of GST. Applications will be
expected to show value for the budget requested.
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2.5 Contract
The Consultant will be required to sign a Supplier Contract with the FRDC (attached at
Appendix one)
2.6 Lodging a Response to this Request for Quotation
A response is to be lodged by COB 22nd August and should be emailed to the Programs
Manager identified below.
The submission for the project must be completed via Expression of Interest (EoI) on FishNet
(www.fishnet.gov.au) and include the following information:

a cost for the project, including any necessary travel and accommodation costs (note
that some consultation may take place within Torres Strait communities;

a description of how the project deliverables will be met including methodology,
timeframes, consultative process and other relevant issues for consideration;

an outline of experience with similar reviews and relevant details/outcomes of such
reviews;

a brief curriculum vitae concentrating on experience in similar reviews and
knowledge of Torres Strait fisheries management arrangements and community
consultation protocols; and

any relevant assistance or support that would be required from TSRA Fisheries staff.
2.7 Project Manager
All enquires and correspondences for this Request for Quotation are to be directed to:
Crispian Ashby
Programs Manager
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Ph: 02 6285 0425
Email: crispian.ashby@frdc.com.au
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