QSIA - Catching Fish for Everyone

There are two regions, the North Marine Bioregion and the East Marine Bioregion that are presently undergoing an assessment by DEWHA to introduce a series of marine protected areas. Each region (maps attached) is at a different stage of assessment. In the north the Areas for Further Assessment or AFA (somewhere inside these AFA’s there will be a marine protected area) have been released by DEWHA and in the East the Areas for Further Assessment are scheduled to be released in February. At present, the current marine planning process has a long way to go before industry is able to form a firm view on what the outcome will be as there are still large pieces of the jigsaw to be assembled. This said, we are moving forward cautiously.

The QSIA has taken the view that we need to be prepared and the only way to achieve this is to engage fully with the government from the beginning. The jury is still out on the success or otherwise of this approach however we are being proactive in an effort to try and have an influence on the process. Having said this, there are some significant policies yet to be released and these include the fisheries risk assessment (gear), the displaced effort policy and the findings of a socio-economic impact assessment. Without these policies we will be unable to measure the impact of any proposed marine park.

QSIA, NTSC and the NPF have begun discussions with DEWHA to support industry bodies to collect fine scale data that will assist the process of determining the location and design of a future marine protected area (mpa) within an AFA. In an effort to be as prepared as possible and participate in this process, which may influence the future design of an mpa, QSIA travelled to Karumba and Cairns to meet with fishers and others who may be impacted by the marine planning process to determine how to best minimize any impacts of a proposed marine park. These meetings were worthwhile and have certainly sharpened the focus for fishers in preparing them for what’s to come.  The information collected from the trip will not be supplied to DEWHA until the risk assessment process and displaced effort policies are known. A similar approach is being prepared for the East Bioregion.

The next step now is to have input into the fisheries risk assessment. Essentially DEWHA have commissioned an analysis (based on existing CSIRO ecological risk assessments) of fishing activities by gear type that makes some conclusions about those activities – i.e. if they are consistent with the conservation values of a marine protected area. I understand the report has been peer reviewed by the CSIRO and will soon be provided to industry for input to test the risk ratings and provide suggestions for mitigation if and where necessary. On the displaced activities policy QSIA, along with all other jurisdictions, has been advised this policy will be provided prior to the release of the Draft Plans.

Clearly there is some way to go before we are in a position to draw any conclusions about the outcomes of this marine planning process. QSIA will continue to act on behalf of industry and keep members updated when progress occurs.

Maps can be previewed below, or downloaded at full resolution.
 

North Marine Bioregion - Areas for Further Assessment

East Marine Bioregion - Central Eastern Shelf Transition