Guess who’s coming to town?
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has announced that it will be expanding its presence in Lakes Entrance by opening a regional office in early 2018. AFMA, in conjunction with SETFIA, has been trialling a full time Liaison officer based in Lakes Entrance since 2015, working directly with South East Trawl operators on a daily basis. […]
Fisheries and environment are winners with new AFMA office at Lakes Entrance
A joint media release has been issued by: The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator the Hon Anne Ruston Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources The Hon Darren Chester MP Member for Gippsland Simon Boag South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association https://gallery.mailchimp.com/8675ff88100c2889bfa4846f3/files/2e2c3767-d22a-4104-aeb8-d3957290e419/JOINT_Media_Releas
What will the Auditor General say about Victoria’s fishery management?
By Ross Winstanley* The Victorian Government is spending $27 million of public funds to cut consumers’ fresh fish supplies by 400-500 tonnes in order to double the number of recreational fishers and to benefit business interests. How did governments come to abandon balanced and evidence-based resource sharing reflecting broad community interests, instead focusing on boosting recreational […]
Bottom trawling having less effect than thought
20% of the fish eaten globally are caught by bottom trawling. However, bottom trawling has been criticised for its effects on the marine environment. The most common form of bottom trawling is otter board trawling. This “board trawling” uses two “doors” or otter boards to create a spreading force. Fish are then herded by wires […]
New Chair for AFMA Fisheries Commission
On 1 July 2017, former federal Senator for Victoria, Helen Kroger commenced as the new Chair of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). Here Helen took some time to introduce herself and her role for the next five years. I am delighted to be appointed as the Chair of AFMA and look forward to working […]
2016 Fishery Independent Survey Finishes
The 2016 Fishery Independent Survey (FIS) project has just wrapped up, marking the eighth year since the first one was carried out in 2008. Some elements of the survey were revised to take into account the recommendations from a recent independent review by the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Those changes tightened […]
What’s a Zooplankton Hole?
A recent journal article in the Nature Ecology and Evolution journal titled, “Widely used seismic survey air gun operations negatively impact zooplankton” (Robert D. McCauley et al) investigated the effects of seismic surveys on zooplankton. Zooplankton underpin the health and productivity of global marine ecosystems. Zooplankton are a group of small animals including organisms whose […]
A+ in State of the Environment Report for Commercial Fishing
Every five years the Australian Government conducts a comprehensive review of the state of the Australian environment. This national SoE Report provides information about environmental and heritage conditions, trends and pressures for the Australian continent, surrounding seas and Australia’s external territories The report found that, “In the past 5 years (2011-16), environmental policies and management […]
What the ling happened in the 2016/17 fishing season?
Pink ling (Genypterus blacodes) is the second most important species in the South East Trawl Fishery by revenue behind tiger flathead. Historically, pink ling was managed as one stock with a single annual total allowable catch (TAC). However, recent science shows that it is two stocks so now two stock assessments are completed. Because there […]
The Future of Commercial Fishing in Port Phillip Bay
By Ross Winstanley* The Victorian Government’s proposed restrictions on commercial fishing in Port Phillip Bay from 2022 will leave the remaining fishermen hamstrung. At best, these restrictions reflect the Government’s indifference to the future viability of commercial fishing in the Bay. In my opinion, at worst, they reflect a subterfuge aimed at quietly eliminating all […]