PIRSA Fisheries & Aquaculture
Fisheries Policy and Management Unit Services Delivered 2014-15 – Marine Scalefish
Fishery
Key Deliverables
Development and implementation of
management plans for commercial
and recreational fisheries, including
harvest strategy development and
ESD risk assessment
Key Activities
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Development and implementation of
Aboriginal traditional fishing
management plans, in accordance
with Indigenous Land Use
Agreements
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Updating/republishing of the Marine Scalefish Fishery Operator User Guide
Further consultation on the rules review proposals with the Marine Fishers Association
(MFA) and other fisheries with access to the Marine Scalefish Fishery, meeting in
September 2014
Preparation of proposals to implement category A changes for the rules review project and
other minor amendments
Development of Garfish fishing closures (management arrangements to meet harvest
strategy targets for recovery) through Garfish Working Group - Spencer Gulf 12 June to 30
August 2015 and Gulf St Vincent on 2 June to 7 September 2015 and 2 July to 10 August
2015
Consideration of the commercial fisheries with Marine Scalefish Fishery access, including
annual catches against share allocations in the Management Plan (no allocation triggers
breached) – with consultation through the Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Advisory
Group (MSFMAG)
Investigation on stamp duty issues with the transfer of MSF licences for leasing - including
liaison with Revenue SA
Not applicable for 2014/15
Day-to-day preparation of necessary
legislative instruments and/or advice
required for the management of
fisheries (regulations, closure
notices, licence conditions,
Ministerial exemptions etc).
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Day-to-day provision of advice to the
Minister or his/her delegate on setting
total allowable commercial catch and
effort levels
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Review and implementation of Snapper spawning spatial closures and commercial daily
catch limits for 2014/15
o Meeting with EconSearch and SARDI regarding assessment of the spatial
closures - July 2014
o Meeting with Key Local Government, Charter, Recreational, Commercial, SA
Tourism Commission stakeholders - October 2014
o Preparation of section 79 notices for Snapper spawning spatial closures, annual
state-wide Snapper closure, commercial daily catch limiits
o Relevant communications material developed and delivered
Implementation of increase to commercial size limit for Garfish from 23 cm to 25 cm,
increase to the haul net pocket mesh size to 3.5 cm, and fishing closures (preparation of
advice and section 79 notices)
Exemption for Germain Bay closure - Fish Netting Boundaries
Commenced development of King George Whiting Options Paper
Commenced review of spatial management of the fishery. Meeting held with MFA
representatives in June 2015.
Provided input into development of an expression of interest for FRDC research project on
Garfish
Prepared for, participated in and followed up on actions related to the cost recovery
process for the MSF
Provided advice to the Chief Executive, Group Executive Director and Director and
responded to correspondence on issues related to the MSF
Consideration of 2013/14 MSF status report- including consultation through the MSFMAG
Consideration of stock assessment report for King George Whiting, including consultation
through the MSFMAG and implications for harvest strategy triggers
Preparation of other policies to
support fisheries management
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Preparation of submissions to enable
regular assessment of commercial
fisheries under the EPBC Act
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Preparation of annual report to the
Australian Government on EPBC Act
requirements for all SA fisheries
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Preparation of regular fisheries status
reports
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Delivery of Fisheries Council projects
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Provided input on the co-management arrangements of MSF to the review of comanagement of South Australian commercial fisheries
Supported the development of policies that are relevant to the fishery, including harvest
strategy, bycatch and release of aquatic resources
Liaison with DoTE representatives on the EPBC assessment, implementation of approval
recommendations and conditions of the fishery July 2014
Discussion with MSFMAG and development of management options for large mesh nets to
meet conditions of EPBC assessment
Provided update on the MSF for the Department of the Environment (DotE) annual report
Assisted in the finalising relevant species chapters for the South Australian status report
and review of the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Report
Review/consideration of King George Whiting Stock Assessment Report, and discussion of
of the report findings with the MSFMAG
Reviewed draft SARDI Threatened, Endangered or Protected Species (TEPS) report and
provide TEPS report for consideration by MSFMAG
Review of the draft Economic Indicators Report for the South Australian Marine Scalefish
Fishery for 2012/13
Review of all website material for updated website - publicly available information on the
MSF and its management
Establishment, support/preparation and participation in the Fisheries Council SubCommittee - Marine Scalefish Fishery Strategic Review Committee. Three meetings held in
2014/15 - July 2014, February 2015 and June 2015.
Meetings and input/feedback on project proposal with MFA, EconSearch and University of
Adelaide on Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) project proposal
Day-to-day development and
maintenance of productive working
relationships and outcomes through
cooperative management and
collaboration with stakeholders
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for industry survey on identifying long term objectives and direction for the fishery
Participated in MSFMAG meetings – July 2014, December 2014, February 2015 and April
2015
Participated in Garfish Working Group meetings - September 2014 and April 2015
Monthly meetings with Industry MFA Executive Officer (EO)
Quarterly meeting with Industry MFA EO, Compliance, licensing, SARDI and Policy
Updated draft communication protocol with MFA EO and MSFMAG
Meetings with MFA EO, Chair and executive members from time to time on issues in the
fishery
Participation at the National Snapper Steering Group Meeting- September 2014
Meeting with AFMA representatives - July 2014 - on OCS issues (SESSF fishing and MSF
fishing)
Meeting with WA Fisheries representatives regarding Australian Herring
Responded to enquiries from industry and other stakeholders on issues related to the MSF