Fisheries NewsFish stories for Torres Strait Islander fishers.

November 2010. Stories from around the communities. Visit the website www.tsra.gov.au

November 2010 Issue 1

Torres Strait Regional AuthorityPO Box 261, Thursday Island, Queensland 4875

Call 07 40 690 700 Fax 07 40 691 879Email info@tsra.gov.au

For further information please contact Neville Nakata or Steve Hall at the Torres Strait Regional Authority on 07 4069 0700 neville.nakata@tsra.gov.au

Since 1989 CSIRO has conducted surveys in the Torres Strait to monitor the status of the Kaiar fishery and more recently to recommend a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to prepare for introducing a quota management system for the fishery.

As the lead agency representing Torres Strait Islanders in commercial and traditional fisheries, the TSRA relies on community input toward relevant policy development, especially through Community Fisher Group (CFG) representatives.

Kaiar Research

Our CFG is made up of representatives from all communities across Torres Strait and NPA. How the CFG operates to deliver on behalf of respective communities is currently under review in an effort to improve how to do fisheries business with other stakeholders in the region. Major developments in our commercial fisheries sector have made way for significant economic development opportunities. Realising these opportunities and growing a professional, commercial fishing capacity is the big challenge we face. Safe fishing. Kenny Bedford, TSRA Portfolio Member Fisheries.

The surveys in 2010 were conducted in May at 74 sites throughout the Torres Strait. The 2010 surveys recorded good numbers of juvenile lobster indicating that 2011 should be a productive fishing year.

In August 2010, CSIRO, AFMA and TSRA visited Badu, Mabuiag and Iama to talk about the annual surveys and research in the Kaiar fishery.

The visits were aimed at providing communities with the latest information on the state of the Kaiar fishery and how research assists with management and the setting of catch limits to ensure there is a fishery for future generations.

Feedback from the surveys was that communities were provided with invaluable information from the outcomes of the surveys in particular the spawning life cycle of Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobsters in the Coral Sea, and the Tropical Rock Lobster population model.

The CSIRO researchers also took the opportunity to discuss with community members a new project which would allow for better inclusion of social, cultural and economic aspects of the fishery in decision making.

“Maiem, Seu ngapa to this first newsletter designed to help keep you informed about Torres Strait fisheries matters. This initiative marks a time of significant development for fisheries,” Kenny Bedford.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Marsden Jacob Associates, a consultant, met with many stakeholders including communities and Community Fisher Group representatives between January and April 2010 to seek their views and input into the business plan. They visited Badu (28 January and 29 March), Poruma (27 January and 30 March) and Thursday Island (29 January and 1 April).

A draft business plan has been developed and is now being considered by the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). Agencies are developing a strategy to implement the recommendations of the business plan. A further update will be provided next newsletter.

Kaiar Five-Year Business Plan The Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) agreed in 2008 to the development of a five-year business plan to document each sectors aspirations for the future of the Kaiar Fishery and to provide options for future fisheries management that meet these aspirations.

Events

November 2010. Stories from around the communities. Visit the website www.tsra.gov.au

Finfish Management Plan update

A management plan for the Finfish Fishery is being drafted in consultation with the Finfish Working Group. The plan allows for the current management arrangements to be continued but also provides for the introduction of a quota management system if later required. The draft plan will be circulated for comment once it is developed.

5-6 October 2010

TRLRAG meeting The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Resource Assessment Group (TRLRAG) met in Cairns on 5-6 October 2010. The TRLRAG considered the most recent stock assessment information and will be recommending a sustainable catch level (a TAC) for 2011. The Traditional Inhabitant representative on the TRLRAG is Mr Graham Hirakawa.

23 November 2010

TSFMAC meeting A Torres Strait Fisheries Management Advisory Committee teleconference will be held on November 23rd. A face to face meeting will be held in February 2011.

7 October 2010

Annual Fisheries Bi-lateral Meeting The annual fisheries bi-lateral meeting between Australia and PNG was held on 7th of October in Cairns. This meeting is an important part of the Torres Strait Treaty and it is where catch sharing arrangements between the two countries are agreed. The TSRA Fisheries Portfolio Member Mr Kenny Bedford, along with Mr Gavin Mosby, Mr Graham Hirakawa and Mr Dimas Toby attended this meeting, assisted by the TSRA.

Leasing of up to five temporary non-indigenous licences to fish for Spanish Mackerel and Coral trout has been managed by the Finfish Quota Management Committee since 2008. Leasing was allowed to ensure that market chains were maintained after the 100% buyout of all non-indigenous licences in the Finfish and Spanish Mackerel fisheries in 2007.

Each year the Committee agree on how much quota to lease to non-indigenous fishers, ensuring there is sufficient stocks for Torres Strait Islanders to harvest based on agreed sustainable annual total catch levels. The Committee also assess leasing applications

to ensure that fair and reasonable lease prices are negotiated for Torres Strait Islanders using independent market information.

For the 2010 - 2011 season, 85 tonnes of Spanish Mackerel and 50 tonnes of Coral Trout have been leased.

Revenue from leasing will be used for capacity building initiatives to support an enhanced fishery for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people. A policy and program is under development to ensure that this is spent wisely. Further updates will be provided in future fisheries newsletters.

Finfish Leasing

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