Common Language Group
Custodian Group Teleconference
11am EDST, 17 December 2012
Final Notes
Present:
Geoff Gorrie
Jo-Anne McCrea
Grahame Turk
Pheroze Jungalwalla
Patrick Hone
Neil McSkimming
Jackie Healing
Bryan McDonald
Michelle Christoe
Sharon Kimmins
Temporary Chair
WWF (NGOs)
National Seafood Industry Alliance (NSIA)
National Aquaculture Council (NAC)
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Coles
Coles
Australian Fisheries Managers Forum (AFMF)
Seafood Services Australia (SSA)
SSA Minute Secretary
Apologies:
Russell Conway
Jason McQuaid
Bryan Skepper
Ilona Stobutzki
Keith Sainsbury
1.
Recfish
Woolworths
Sydney Fish Market (SFM)
Research Providers Network
WELCOME
Geoff Gorrie, Interim Chair welcomed all to the meeting. Geoff explained that he
would Chair this meeting in place of Keith Sainsbury who was unavailable for today’s
teleconference.
2.
DRAFT NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Concern was expressed that Draft Notes were not distributed with tracked changes
and that attributes were recorded against participants. It was also requested that all
recipients of email messages be displayed (not blind copied) to facilitate open and
transparent communications.
IT WAS AGREED
Draft Notes be revised not assigning attributes to participants and principally detailing
summary of discussion and decisions.
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Revised Draft Notes be re-distributed to participants for comment.
Future CLG email messages display all recipients.
3.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The meeting went over the revised Terms of Reference (TORs) which incorporated
comments contained in the Draft Notes previously distributed.
It was also suggested that a thorough proof read be undertaken to remove typos and
errors, eg bi-catch etc. It was noted that TORs can be modified as the process
progresses.
IT WAS AGREED
TORs be amended at Page 5 – remove ‘as well as new bodies’ and also a thorough
proof read be undertaken and further version distributed for comment.
4.
CLG CUSTODIAN GROUP MEMBERSHIP
It was proposed that it was desirable to include independent fish retailers, eg George
Costi and consumer group representation, eg Choice. It was believed that these
inclusions would increase the credibility of the Custodian Group.
IT WAS AGREED
SSA will identify a nominee for independent retailers and independent consumer group
and issue invitation.
5.
NOMINATION OF ISSUES FOR CLG DISCUSSION
The group considered a number of issues to be initially addressed by CLG.
The meeting noted that at the Interim CLG the comment had been made that ‘retailers
desperately need a pitch on sustainability for grass roots’. Also, there was media
coverage questioning the use of terms such as sustainable fish labels being used by
supermarkets.
It was also noted that during the Stock Status Report presentation at the Interim CLG
the term ‘sustainably fished’ was questioned.
It was proposed that the first issue to be considered would be the definition of the term
‘sustainability’, incorporating ‘biodiversity’ ‘acceptable impact’ and ‘regional
differences’. Development of a Common Language is a prerequisite to the eventual
development of any relevant standards, which could be facilitated by SSA, an
accredited Standard Development Organisation.
Other points of discussion:
 SSA develop a list of terms for consideration by the CLG Custodian Group
(examples exist in FAO Guidelines.
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 It is desirable that common language be internationally acceptable and work
across all species and categories.
 Need to be mindful of who we are forming these definitions for – internal,
Australian industry and consumers, etc.
 Other future potential issues are ‘recreational fishing’ – data collections etc;
‘bycatch and byproduct’ – review of Commonwealth harvest and bycatch policies
might be used to reflect and roll out best practice; ‘eco system based fisheries
management’ – definition in terms of tangible management.
 ‘Sustainable or eco labels’ should be separate issues.
 Other potential issues : ‘fish names’ – confusion and lack of adoption in retail.
Need consistency in naming and needs to be linked to Standard.
 The WWF explanation of standards development could be a reference document
and will be forwarded to SSA.
IT WAS AGREED
The first issue to be considered would be definition of ‘sustainability’ incorporating
terms such as ‘biodiversity’ ‘acceptable impact’ and ‘regional differences’.
SSA will develop a list of terms on which we are trying to get some commonality and
distribute for comment.
6.
CLG CUSTODIAN GROUP CHAIR
It was agreed that the Custodian Group should have an independent Chair, not
associated with any of the participants. SSA will call for nominations from the
Custodian Group, determine willingness of nominees to act as Chair and distribute
brief CVs for consideration.
Some suggestions are:


Merrell Williams, ex head of Fish Centre, now retired back in Australia;
Ian Poiner, AIMS
IT WAS AGREED
SSA will seek nominations for position of independent CLG Custodian Group Chair
from Custodian Group members.
SSA will then ascertain willingness of nominees to be nominated as Chair and
distribute short CV for Custodian Group determination.
The Chair closed the meeting at 11.10am.
L:\Company Data\SSA Docs\P000 Projects\P131 Common Language Group\CLG Custodian Group 17 Dec 12\CLG Custodian
Group Notes 171212 (Final).docx
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