News release - Week to apply for licence review

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/newsreleases/13821.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[Lucky_Phill]

Latest DPI news | DPI news search | Newsletters | Newsletter search | News FAQs
21 October, 2003

Week left to apply for fishing licence review
Queensland commercial fishing operators have one week left to apply to have their licences reviewed following reforms to the coral reef fin fish and east coast Spanish mackerel fisheries.

The Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) recently announced a major restructure of both fisheries aimed at sustaining fish stocks which have come under increasing pressure in recent years.

The review included limiting the number of commercial reef fish and Spanish mackerel licences to about one-quarter of the current number.

QFS general manager Jim Gillespie said all commercial line fishing licences had been assessed to determine if they passed defined entry criteria for future access to the fishery.

All licence holders were then advised if their licence had met the criteria or not.

Mr Gillespie said those operators who did not meet the criteria and wanted the decision reviewed would need to lodge an application in writing by October 27.

“Both fisheries have undergone major reforms and there is no denying that some operators have been hard hit,” he said.

“Any operator who believes they meet a special circumstance should submit an application to have the decision reviewed.”

Mr Gillespie said once the licences had been determined the remaining operators will then be allocated with individual quotas.

For more information about the restructure contact the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23 or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further information: Jim Gillespie (07) 3225 1839
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

[Gazza]

"Mr Gillespie said once the licences had been determined the remaining operators will then be allocated with individual quotas."

------------------------------------------------------------
May all the successful licence holders generate a profitable income from the quota allocated ,for many a year ;)

The strategy of the restructure makes a lot of logical sense to me , in the future ,the only 'variable' is to keep an 'informed' eye on the sustainabilty , and how this translates into any "quota" changes :o

[Kerry]

About all this license reduction is doing is rewarding the bigger (office block investors) operators who have the capacity to travel while running multiple operations in many different places and hence have been able to support their overall quota justification.

The local family based operation that has been satisfied to work their local waters as weather permitted and when fish were available will most likely disappear.

Cheers, Kerry.

[bigbrian47]

Touche kerry the big getting bigger the subsistence pro getting squeezed out cheers brian

[Gazza]

- Reducing the number of Reef finfish licences from 1700 to less than 400. The commercial catch will be allocated as Individual Transferable Quotas to operators who can demonstrate they have a history in the fishery;

- New size and possession (bag) limits for a range of species as well as fishing gear restrictions and catch recording;

- Capping commercial catches at the pre-1997 investment warning level. The total commercial catch will be reduced from the 2001 level of 4830 tonnes to 3061 tonnes.

----------------------------------------------------


Licensed commercial fishers harvested approximately 3500 to 4000 tonnes of fish annually in the last few years. #This fishery is currently valued between approximately $30 and $40 million annually to fishermen and much more at the final point of consumption. #Approximately 1700 commercial fishers are authorised under licences issued by Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) to operate in the fishery. #Of these licences holders, only approximately 35% where active in the fishery in the last two years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Nahh ,still makes logical sense ,to 'kill' latent effort i.e. 65% not used in the last 2 yrs #:-X

JMHO
Gazza