Coral Sea Fishery
Statement of Management
Arrangements
Finalised
25 March 2004
Important Note
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this
document is correct and accurate at the time of printing. However the
information provided is intended to serve as a guide only, and therefore
AFMA shall in no way be liable for any loss caused, whether due to
negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of or reliance upon this
document. The document is not intended to replace any operator’s
concession concerning the conditions under which they are required to
operate. Depending on the conditions attached to a concession, some of the
items discussed in this booklet may not apply to a particular fishing
operation.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
I
Table of Contents
1
Executive Summary............................................................................................................. 1
2
Background.......................................................................................................................... 2
3
2.1.
Brief History of the Fishery .......................................................................................... 2
1.2.
Description of the Coral Sea Fishery ............................................................................ 3
Management Arrangements................................................................................................. 6
3.1.
Introduction................................................................................................................... 6
3.2.
Input and Output Controls ............................................................................................ 6
3.2.1.
Demersal Line Sector ............................................................................................. 6
3.2.2.
Demersal Trawl Sector ........................................................................................... 7
3.2.3.
Sea Cucumber (Beche-de-mer) Hand Collection Sector........................................ 7
3.2.4.
Aquarium Sector .................................................................................................... 7
3.2.5.
Lobster and Trochus Collection Sector .................................................................. 7
3.3.
Spatial controls.............................................................................................................. 8
3.4.
Other initiatives impacting on management ................................................................. 8
3.5.
Non-target species (bycatch and byproduct) arrangements .......................................... 9
3.6.
Compliance ................................................................................................................... 9
3.7.
Performance criteria and review of management arrangements................................... 9
3.8.
Alternative Management Arrangements and Future Directions ................................. 10
4
Cost Recovery.................................................................................................................... 10
5
References ......................................................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX 1 Boundary coordinates for the fishery ............................................................... 11
APPENDIX 2 Summary of current management arrangements for each sector of the CSF. .. 12
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
II
1 Executive Summary
AFMA is preparing Statements of Management Arrangements for all fisheries that do not have
statutory management plans. A Statement of Management Arrangements provides a means of
communicating the management regime for a fishery to all stakeholders, including industry,
government and the wider community. The Statement of Management Arrangements for a fishery
will also assist in the strategic assessment accreditation process required under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
While not a statutory instrument, a Statement of Management Arrangements describes the
arrangements in place for the fishery, including relevant permit/licence conditions and arrangements
that have been agreed to at a policy level. This document provides a Statement of Management
Arrangements for the trawl, line and hand collection sectors of the Coral Sea Fishery (CSF).
AFMA manages the five sectors of the CSF in a precautionary manner in accordance with
objectives under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. Each sector is primarily managed under
permit conditions using different controls that include limited entry, gear restrictions, size limits,
total allowable catch (TAC) and spatial controls. There are many species targeted in the fishery and
for most of these species there is very little knowledge. AFMA is striving to achieve a sustainable
fishery with low cost management arrangements while maximising opportunities for collecting
relevant information on stocks and interactions.
1
2 Background
2.1.
Brief History of the Fishery
A number of historical small-scale demersal line, trawl and hand collection fisheries existed before
their integration into the CSF. Historically the fisheries in the area of the current CSF have been
known by various names including the East Coast Deepwater Finfish Fishery (ECDFF), the East
Coast Deepwater Crustacean Trawl Fishery (ECDTF) and the North Eastern Demersal Line Fishery
(NEDLF).
A Strategic Assessment Report for the CSF has been prepared and provides further background
information on the fishery. The report is available at AFMA’s website (www.afma.gov.au)
Figure 1. Area of waters of the Coral Sea Fishery.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
2
Description of the Coral Sea Fishery
Demersal Line Sector – demersal longlines, trotlines, droplines, setlines
and handlines
Operating
Methods
Demersal Trawl Sector - includes but is not limited to demersal otter
board trawl gear for fish and for crustaceans
Sea Cucumber Collection Sector - hand collection
Aquarium Collection Sector – hand collection
Lobster and Trochus Collection Sector - hand collection
Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cwth)
Legislation
Location
Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) Agreement with Queensland (3
February 1995)
The CSF covers waters from Sandy Cape, Fraser Island to Cape York,
and east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the edge of the
Australian Fishing Zone, excluding the area of the Coringa-Herald and
Lihou Reef National Nature Reserves (Figure 1.)
Demersal Line Sector: a broad range of finfish including tropical snappers
(Lethrinidae or Lutjanidae) and emperors (Lutjanidae)
Demersal Trawl Sector: a broad range of finfish including alfonsino,
gemfish, several species of cod, and several Lutjanids and potentially
including crustaceans.
Principal
Species
Sea Cucumber Collection Sector - Amberfish (Thelenota anax), Blackfish
(probably Actinopynga miliaris), Black teat fish (Holothuria whitmaei),
Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus), Lollyfish (Holothuria atra), Prickly red
fish (Thelenota ananas), Sand fish (Holothuria scabra), Surf red fish
(Actinapyga mauritiana), White teat fish (Holothuria nobilis) 1
Aquarium Collection Sector – damselfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasse,
anemone fish, surgeonfish, blennies and gobies.
Lobster and Trochus Collection Sector - Trochus shell (Trochus
niloticus),Tropical Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)
Environment/
Ecology
Sub-continental shelf and abyssal plains with scattered reef systems
dominate the CSF. The richest areas for fish diversity in the Coral Sea
are the exposed outer slopes of 5 – 20 m depth and large bomboras and
pinnacle reefs (Allen, 1988).
There are two areas in the CSF that are identified as of high conservation
value, and are therefore listed as marine protected areas (MPAs).
Fishery Status
Overall status is uncertain (BRS, 2003). Most stocks are not assessed.
Black teatfish (Holothuria whitmaei), has been classified as overfished in
the Torres Strait Fisheries and Queensland State Fisheries (BRS, 2003).
1
Note that there has been a revision of the scientific names for Black teat fish (Holothuria fuscogilva) and White teat
fish (Holothuria nobilis).
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
3
Impact of fishing
Due to the highly specific method of collection, there is no bycatch or
significant impact on ecological communities in those fisheries restricted
to hand collection. There is insufficient data available to determine the
impacts of demersal trawl or demersal line fishing on target species.
Given this current lack of information for the CSF, it is difficult to assess
the impacts on related species and food chains. However, catch levels
are capped at a precautionary level by means of limited entry provisions
combined with other measures to ensure sustainability of commercial
species. If an area is identified by the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA)
for Commonwealth fisheries as being high risk, then management will
implement measures that minimises any impact on the physical
environment, ecological communities or on food chains within the area of
the CSF. Measures would be implemented after full consultation with
stakeholders and consistent with AFMA’s legislative objectives.
The CSF is a small AFMA managed fishery that continues to expand in
value. The significant increase in the value and catch of this fishery is
due to increased effort as a result of permits in the fishery becoming
transferable. In addition to this, permit holders in the fishery have
nominated to use better suited fishing vessels and have increased their
knowledge of the fishery, which has contributed to higher catches, and
quality of fish.
Socio-economic
issues
The Gross Value of Production (GVP) for the CSF has risen from
$626,700 in $2001-02 to $1,201,200 in 2002-03. (as determined by the
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF.)
The majority of CSF permit holders are not solely dependent upon the
CSF Fishery for their livelihood as they also hold fishing concessions
allowing them access to other fisheries. On average each permit holder
employs a crew of between 3 and 7 per vessel per voyage. The number
of crew depends on the method of fishing. The main unloading ports for
product from the Fishery have been Bundaberg, Brisbane, Gladstone,
Cairns, and Hobart.
The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) operates in the area of the
CSF. The ETBF is an exclusively pelagic fishery while the CSF is an
exclusively demersal fishery; therefore there is no resource competition
among these fisheries. Additionally, the CSF shares resources with the
South East Trawl Fishery and the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery such as
blue-eye trevalla, gemfish and alfonsino. Sea cucumber, lobster, trochus
and prawns are caught in the Torres Strait Fisheries. However, it is
unknown if any of these stocks are shared.
Resource
Competition
Species common to the CSF and state fisheries are prawns and other
crustaceans, coral trout, snappers, emperors, other reef finfish species,
sea cucumbers, a large number of target aquarium species, lobster and
trochus.
Charter fishing expeditions for recreational anglers also fish the same
waters for the same species. AFMA considers that limited recreational
fishing takes place in the CSF and will seek to access all available
information.
Due to its isolation from the coast, the level of indigenous fishing in the
CSF is thought to be minimal. A project funded by the Fisheries
Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) entitled the National
recreational and Indigenous fishing survey conducted (Project No.
99/158) provided no additional information on indigenous fishing in the
waters of the CSF.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
4
The Southern Cross University conducted a desktop study on the CSF
titled A profile of the Coral Sea Fishery: Lobster Hand-collection
Management and Strategy. A report from this work was published in July
2001 and the results suggested that Panulirus ornatus, P. versicolor and
P. penicillatus are the only lobster species likely to be sustainably
harvested from the CSF (Smith, 2001).
In March 2002 the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO) produced a report titled Research for Management
of the Coral Sea Collector Fishery (Beche-de-mer).
Research –
Current
Knowledge
In 2002 Scientific permits for fish traps were issued and a reef shark
tagging project commenced.
In 2003, Oxley, W.G. et, al. produced a report for CRC Reef for the
Department of Environment and Heritage entitled Marine surveys
undertaken in the Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve.
The following final FRDC research reports were published: Benzie, J A.,
and Uthicke, S. Stock size of Beche-de-mer, recruitment patterns and
gene flow in black teatfish, and recovery of over-fished black teatfish
stocks on the Great Barrier Reef. (FRDC Project No. 1998/133) and
Stutterd, E and Williams, G. The future of beche-de-mer and trochus
fisheries and aquaculture in Australia.
An ongoing shark and nautilus tagging project is being conducted on
Osprey Reef.
Research
Being
Undertaken
There have been no new CSIRO research commitments in the Coral Sea
Fishery, although CSIRO have a continuing interest in the Sea Cucumber
Hand Collection Sector. CSIRO Interest in sea cucumber stocks in the
CSF is due to their assessment of that fishery sector in 2002 and their
continuing sea cucumber research in Torres Strait through the current
AFMA Torres Strait Research Program project "Conversion ratios for
commercial beche-de-mer species in Torres Strait (R02/1195)". Both
operators in the Coral Sea sea cucumber fishery have committed
themselves to co-operating with CSIRO and the Australian Maritime
College (AMC) to gather suitable data for this project during their fishing
operations in various sectors including the Coral Sea Fishery.
Trawl, line, sea cucumber and lobster and trochus sector operators are
required to complete the Commonwealth Coral Sea Line, Trawl &
Collection Daily CS01 Logbook and, in addition, an annual report that
describes their fishing activities for the year.
Data Collection
Programs
In the aquarium sector, catches from Commonwealth waters are
recorded in a Queensland logbook.
Prior reporting and landing notification is required for the sea cucumber
sector.
Catches for the sea cucumber sector are verified through the CS2A
Catch Disposal Record.
Research
Needs:
There is a need for analysis of existing data from logbooks and catch
disposal records and other sources on risks to target species, bycatch
species and the broader ecosystem. This analysis will occur in the
context of the ERA for Commonwealth fisheries
Conduct stock assessments on target species in each sector
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
5
More information on the above aspects of the fishery is provided in the Coral Sea Fishery
Assessment Report available on the website (www.afma.gov.au).
3 Management Arrangements
3.1.
Introduction
The CSF is managed under the interim management arrangements for the Coral Sea Fishery through
legally binding permits and conditions under section 32 of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
AFMA cooperates with other relevant jurisdictions to pursue complimentary management and
research of shared stocks for all target and by-product species, which may be affected by crossjurisdictional issues.
3.2.
Input and Output Controls
Entry to the whole fishery and to individual sectors is limited and no additional access has been
granted since 1997. A limited number of tender boats per permit may be used, and a limit on the
number of persons permitted to use the nominated boat to take fish.
There are a total of eighteen fishing entitlements issued across the five sectors of the CSF fishery (9
line, 2 trawl, 3 lobster and trochus, 2 aquarium, and 2 sea cucumber) and eleven different permit
holders. This is because an operator can hold access to more than one sector.
Prior to February 2000 fishing permits were non-transferable. In February 2000 the provision of
secure and transferable access rights was introduced to existing permits and by July 2000 all
permits were transferable subject to satisfying performance criteria.
Every permit in the CSF excludes the taking or carrying of the following tuna and tuna like species:
a) fish of the family Scombridae except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber,
Acanthocybium, Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
b) fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
3.2.1. Demersal Line Sector
Output controls: There are no output controls.
Input controls: Operators are obliged to participate in the Fishery for a minimum number of fishing
days, as part of their performance criteria. Permits allow the use of demersal longlines, trotlines,
setlines and handlines.
The use of automatic or random baiting equipment is prohibited unless specifically approved by
AFMA and reflected in the permit conditions. If the use of automatic or random baiting equipment
is approved additional criteria such as the submission of a detailed fishing plan and supplementary
catch and reporting requirements are imposed on the operator. Furthermore, there are a number of
mitigation measures included in the permit conditions to address incidental interactions with
Protected species. Measures include the use of tori lines, hook and depth limits and observer
coverage.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
6
3.2.2. Demersal Trawl Sector
Output controls: There are no output controls. As a matter of priority, AFMA will develop a total
catch trigger for target species in the trawl sector.
Input controls: Operators must complete a specified number of fishing days per permit per season.
Permits allow for fishing by trawl and gear restrictions impose a minimum net mesh size on any
part of the net. AFMA and permit holders have agreed to trial the use of Turtle Excluder Devices
(TEDs) and Bycatch Devices (BRDs) in the trawl sector to identify a suitable design for the CSF
with the view to developing appropriate requirements. As TEDs and BRDs are typically used in
shallow water, and trawling in the CSF is conducted typically between 350 and 620 metres, there
will be a significant period of experimentation. AFMA will be monitoring the success of the
devices, and gain more information on bycatch caught in this sector.
3.2.3. Sea Cucumber (Beche-de-mer) Hand Collection Sector
Output controls: Total allowable catches (TAC) for all take in the fishery and minimum size limit
guidelines. TACs for the sea cucumber sector are reviewed, as new information becomes available.
Catch Limit arrangements based on landed weight exist for the following sea cucumber species:
White teatfish (Holothuria nobilis), Black teatfish (Holothuria whitmaei), Prickly redfish
(Thelenota ananas), Sandfish (Holothuria scabra), and Surf redfish (Actinopyga mauritiana). For
all other species of sea cucumber the remaining uncaught proportion of the total TAC determines
the catch limit.
Input controls: Permits allow the collection of sea cucumber only by hand with or without the
assistance of diving equipment. A “move on provision” is also in place once a species catch limit is
reached. There is an operator limit that restricts the number of persons allowed to take fish at
anytime within the CSF using the boat nominated on the fishing permit.
3.2.4. Aquarium Sector
Output controls: There are no output controls.
Input controls: Operators must complete a minimum number of fishing days conducted in the period
covered by the annual fishing permit. Aquarium collection permits allow the permit holder to take
live aquarium fish either by hand, by a barbless hook and line or herd fish into collection areas with
the use of cast; scoop and seine nets or hand held rod, and conduct these activities with the use of
diving equipment. Depending on the type of gear used, restrictions include a maximum total net
size/diameter, a maximum mesh size, a maximum handle/shaft length and a maximum net length.
In addition to this there is a combined precautionary trigger of a specified number of days fished per
year and a condition that restricts the amount of persons authorised to take fish using the boat
specified on the permit.
3.2.5. Lobster and Trochus Collection Sector
Output controls: There are no output controls.
Input controls: Each fishing permit has an operator limit. An operator limit is the maximum number
of persons authorised to take fish using the boat specified in the permit. Operators must complete a
minimum number of fishing days per permit. There is a minimum tail length size limit for lobster
and a size range for trochus. Only hand collection methods (with or without diving equipment) are
permitted. A “move on provision” is in place for both trochus and lobster. The “move on
provisions” are triggered for trochus once a trigger limit is collected in the same area or the total tail
weight of lobster caught exceeds the catch limit.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
7
3.3.
Spatial controls
Two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help to ensure the conservation of biodiversity within the area
of the fishery (Figure 1.). These are Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and Lihou Reef
National Nature Reserve.
Figure 2. Map showing the location of Coringa-Herald and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve.
In order to prevent localised depletion of high value species in the fishery, “move-on provisions”
have been agreed by the sea cucumber, lobster and trochus sectors. After the trigger has been
reached, operators are required to move to another area of the same reef or to another reef before
fishing again.
Boats operating in the sea cucumber, trawl and line sectors of the CSF must be fitted with an
AFMA approved operational Integrated Computer Vessel Monitoring System (ICVMS).
3.4.
Other initiatives impacting on management
Several management tools are implemented through voluntary agreement with industry. For
example, minimum size limit guidelines for sea cucumber are not enforceable due to the physical
nature of the product and cannot be included as permit conditions, however, these have been
voluntarily agreed to by operators to ensure the sustainability of stocks in the fishery.
Cooperation with the Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) has been sought in obtaining charter and
recreational catch data in the area of the CSF for use in stock assessment and setting a total
allowable commercial catch where necessary.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
8
3.5.
Non-target species (bycatch and byproduct) arrangements
As there is very little knowledge of bycatch and byproduct species in the demersal line and trawl
sectors, there are no specific management arrangements applying to non-target species in these
sectors. Results from the Ecological risk assessment of Commonwealth fisheries will provide
further information on such species, which may require specific management action.
Because of the highly selective collection method used, there are no bycatch or byproduct species
taken in the sea cucumber, aquarium, or lobster and trochus collection sectors of the CSF.
An annual review of management arrangements will take all information relevant to non-target
species into account.
3.6.
Compliance
Fisheries officers check for compliance with regulations such as size limits and the seasonal
closures, as well as any unlicensed fishing for commercial purposes. It is a requirement of all
permits granted in the CSF that, if requested by AFMA, the boat must be made available for an
inspection before departure on a trip at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
The sea cucumber, trawl and line sectors of the CSF are currently required to have an integrated
computer vessel monitoring system (ICVMS) installed and running on their fishing vessels. The
Trochus and lobster sector of the fishery do not have ICVMS fitted, but operators are currently
involved in discussions to consider the introduction of compulsory ICVMS in the near future. The
aquarium sector has not entered into discussions regarding the introduction of compulsory ICVMS
Illegal fishing is that conducted by national or foreign vessels without the permission of the
nationals of that State. Fishing which has not been reported or has been misreported is known as
unreported fishing, and unregulated fishing is that which is not consistent with, or which
contravenes, conservation and management measures. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)
fishing in the CSF is not a significant issue in managing the fishery. To date there has been few
sightings of IUU vessels in the CSF region reported either by legal fishers, or through ongoing
surveillance flights.
The Fisheries Management Act 1991 outlines the penalties associated with non-compliance.
3.7.
Performance criteria and review of management arrangements
Management arrangements for the CSF are reviewed on an annual basis. AFMA actively involves a
wide range of key stakeholders in the process of developing, implementing and reviewing fisheries
management arrangements. This approach is supported by specific consultative processes that are
embodied in the Authority’s governing legislation and undertaken as part of good fisheries
management practice. Before formally changing management arrangements, stakeholders and
registered interested persons are invited to discuss issues relevant to the fishery at the Coral Sea
Fishery Annual Stakeholder meeting. This allows AFMA to take into account any representations
received when making management decisions.
AFMA also undertakes client surveys as a means of gathering information to assist the Authority
measure its performance. AFMA will inform the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH)
of any amendments to the management arrangements under which the fishery operates.
Upon expiration of any CSF fishing permit, a full fishing report covering all aspects of the fishing
operation must be submitted to the AFMA Manager, Coral Sea Fisheries. The report includes
details of activities undertaken as well as detailed catch marketing arrangements. This information
is reviewed and broad issues of concern are raise and discussed at the annual stakeholder meeting.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
9
In order to factor in new information commensurate with the value of the fishery, distribution and
spatial structure of stocks when making management decisions, AFMA will implement an annual
review of logbook data within the next 12 months.
AFMA will then consider the development of a series of objectives, triggers, target or limit
reference points for current target and by-product species, by-catch and ecosystem level impacts as
part of the annual stakeholder meeting and review process.
By the end of 2006 a full comprehensive framework for reviewing management arrangements in the
fishery will be undertaken. At this time AFMA will identify and implement appropriate
management strategies to address and mitigate the impacts of fishing identified through the ERA
process.
3.8.
Alternative Management Arrangements and Future Directions
Since jurisdictional arrangements between the Commonwealth and Queensland were agreed by an
arrangement under the Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) in 1995, there has been much
discussion on future management arrangements for the CSF. Management options that have been
discussed in the past and may be negotiated (with full stakeholder consultation) in the future
include:
•
revised OCS to integrate the sea cucumber, aquarium, lobster and trochus collection sectors to
hand jurisdiction to Queensland;
•
closure of the lobster and trochus collection sector of the fishery, if found not to be
economically viable and if the fishery remains under Commonwealth jurisdiction;
•
revised OCS to hand jurisdiction for the demersal line and trawl sectors to Queensland.
4 Cost Recovery
Costs are fully recovered in accordance with the Commonwealth Cost Recovery policy.
Additionally, industry contributes an amount agreed on annually to undertake stock assessments of
some target species.
5 References
Allen, G.R. (1988) The Fishes of the Coral Sea, Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service,
Canberra, unpublished.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (2003) Draft Assessment Report – Coral Sea Fishery,
Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Canberra.
Bureau of Rural Sciences (2003) Fishery Status Reports 2002-2003 - Resource Assessment of
Australian Commonwealth Fisheries, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia, Canberra.
Smith, M. (2001) The Coral Sea Fishery: Tropical Rock Lobster Hand-collection, Honours Thesis,
Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
10
APPENDIX 1 Boundary coordinates for the fishery
That part of the Australian Fishing Zone, excluding the areas known as Coringa-Herald National
Nature Reserve and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve, enclosed in the area bounded by a line:
(a) commencing at the point of Latitude 24 degrees 30 minutes South, Longitude 154 degrees 40
minutes East;
(b) then running from there north along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 22 degrees 15
minutes South, Longitude 154 degrees 40 minutes East;
(c) then north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 18 degrees 45 minutes South,
Longitude 152 degrees 35 minutes East;
(d) then north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 18 degrees 20 minutes South,
Longitude 148 degrees 20 minutes East;
(e) then north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 15 degrees South, Longitude 146
degrees East;
(f) then north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 13 degrees South, Longitude 145
degrees East;
(g) then north along the meridian of Longitude 145 degrees East to its intersection with the outer
limit of the Australian Fishing Zone;
(h) then generally southerly along that outer limit to its intersection with the parallel of latitude 24
degrees 30 minutes South;
(i) then west along that parallel to the point of commencement;
Note 1. Areas within the Coral Sea Fishery boundaries that are closed to fishing under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1991 are:
Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve enclosed in the area bounded by a line:
a) commencing at the point of Latitude 16 degrees 46 minutes South, Longitude 149 degrees East;
b) then running from there east along that parallel to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 46 minutes
South, Longitude 149 degrees 48 minutes East;
c) then north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 23 minutes South,
Longitude 150 degrees 12 minutes East;
d) then east along the parallel to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 23 minutes South, Longitude 150
degrees 30 minutes East;
e) then south along the meridian to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 52 minutes South, Longitude
150 degrees 30 minutes East;
f) then south-east along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 17 degrees 11 minutes South,
Longitude 150 degrees 05 minutes East;
g) then west along that parallel to Latitude 17 degrees 11 minutes South, Longitude 149 degrees
East;
h) then North along that meridian to the point of commencement.
and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve enclosed in the area bounded by a line:
a) commencing at the point of Latitude 17 degrees 21 minutes South, Longitude 151 degrees 08
minutes East;
b) then running from there north-east along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 57
minutes South, Longitude 151 degrees 54 minutes East;
c) then east along that parallel to the point of Latitude 16 degrees 57 minutes South, Longitude 152
degrees 20 minutes East;
d) then south along that meridian to the point of Latitude 17 degrees 27 minutes South, Longitude
152 degrees 20 minutes East;
e) then south-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 17 degrees 54 minutes South,
Longitude 151 degrees 08 minutes East;
f) then north along that meridian to the point of commencement.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
11
APPENDIX 2 Summary of current management arrangements
for each sector of the CSF.
FISHING IN THE CORAL SEA FISHERIES LINE SECTOR
METHODS AUTHORISED UNDER A LINE SECTOR FISHING PERMIT
A demersal line fishing permit authorises the use of the following methods: demersal longlines,
trotlines, droplines, setlines and handlines in the area of Coral Sea Fishery.
MINIMUM FISHING DAYS
Unless specified otherwise the fishing permit holder must ensure that a minimum of 20 days fishing
activity is conducted in the period covered by the fishing permit in respect of the CSF area of
waters. A full report covering all aspects of this fishing operation must be submitted to the
Manager, Coral Sea Fisheries, AFMA at the expiration of this fishing permit. The report should
include details of activities undertaken as well as detailed catch and marketing arrangements.
TAKING OR CARRYING TUNA AND TUNA LIKE SPECIES
This fishing permit does not allow fishing for tuna and tuna like species consisting of:
(a)
fish of the family Scombridae and of the family Bramidae (commonly known as pomfrets or
ray's bream) except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber, Acanthocybium,
Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
(b)
fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
FISH TAKEN WITH ANOTHER BOAT
The fishing permit does not allow the carrying of fish taken with the use of another boat unless
specified.
TRANSHIPPING FISH
The fishing permit does not allow the transhipping of fish unless specified.
LANDING REQUIREMENTS FOR SHARKS
All sharks of the Class Chondricthyes (excluding skates and rays, angel shark of the Family
Squantinidae, spurdogs of the genus Squalus and elephant fish of the Families Callorhinchidae,
Chimaeridae and Rhinochimaeridae) must be landed and sent to the receiver headed and gutted
(trunked) with their dorsal, pectoral and caudal (tail) fins on their carcass. The tail tip may be cut
off at the sub-terminal notch, but the caudal lobe must be left attached. Pelvic fins and claspers may
be removed or left attached to their carcass.
Diagram 1 illustrates the standard processing cuts for all sharks. This requirement means that the
operators are prohibited from carrying, retaining or landing shark of the Class Chondrichtyes where
the dorsal, pectoral, caudal, pelvic and anal fins that are not attached to their carcass unless
otherwise stated in the landing requirements for shark condition.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
12
Diagram 1-Standard processing cuts for all sharks
Dorsal fin
Caudal fin
Sub-terminal notch
Angel sharks of the Family Squantinidae may be landed headed and gutted (trunked) with their
belly flaps removed. The dorsal, pectoral and caudal (tail) fins must not be removed from their
carcass. The tail tip may be cut off at the sub-terminal notch. Pelvic fins and claspers may be
removed or left attached to their carcass for identification/ compliance purposes.
Spurdogs of the genus Squalus may be landed headed and gutted (trunked). The dorsal and caudal
(tail) fins must not be removed from their carcass. The tail tip may be cut off at the sub terminal
notch. Pectoral fins, belly flaps, pelvic fins and claspers may be removed or left attached to their
carcass.
Skates, rays and banjo shark (Trygonorrhina sp.) may be processed at sea, but not skinned or
filleted. Banjo shark may be landed headed and gutted with their belly flaps, pelvic fins and claspers
removed from their carcass. The pectoral fins and tail must not be removed. Skates and rays may be
landed headed and gutted with their pectoral fins removed. Pectoral fins obtained from skates and
rays may also be landed separately.
Elephant fish of the Families Callorhinchidae, Chimaeridae and Rhinochimaeridae must be landed
and sent to the receiver headed and gutted with the belly flaps removed. Fins must be removed
excluding the second dorsal fin and tail, which must be left attached to their carcass for
identification purposes. Diagram 2. Illustrates the standard processing cuts for all Chimaeras.
Diagram 2: Standard processing cuts for all Chimaeras
1st Dorsal fin
2nd Dorsal fin
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
Caudal fin
13
PROCESSING AT SEA
Not withstanding the condition titled 'Landing requirements for sharks', the holder of the fishing
permit may sell or dispose of shark in a processed form provided that:
(a)
shark species are recorded in the logbook titled the Commonwealth Coral Sea Line, Trawl &
Collection Daily Confidential Fishing Logbook (CS01 Log). If a shark can not be identified
to a species level then it must be landed in accordance with the condition titled 'Landing
requirements for sharks'.
(b)
in the case of any shark processed on board at any time and at any place, the fillet or piece
of shark includes a portion of skin, not detached, sufficient to show the species of shark, in
any case not less than 5 square centimetres;
(c)
if fillets are to be frozen in packs, the fishing permit holder will pack only one species in a
pack and will clearly mark each pack with the species of shark in the pack and the number
of fillets in the pack. The holder of the fishing permit will also ensure that individual fillets
within a pack can be readily separated for inspection; and
(d)
the fishing permit holder will pay any reasonable costs of compliance arising from
processing at sea, including the costs of inspection by compliance officers and the costs of
any species identification tests undertaken on fillets and will bear the costs of any wastage
or reduction in value of fish tested in the course of compliance. The fishing permit holder
must not land any shark fins that are not either attached to the carcass of the shark, or have
been removed from a shark that has been processed and retained.
BOAT INSPECTIONS
If requested by AFMA, the fishing permit holder must make the boat available for an inspection
prior to departure on a trip, at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
CARRIAGE OF FISHERIES OBSERVERS
Upon AFMA’s request, the fishing permit holder must facilitate the carriage of fisheries observers
on the boat and comply with the conditions for carrying observers.
FISHING OUTSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING ZONE
On a trip in which the fishing permit holder, or person acting on behalf of the fishing permit holder,
fishes within the area of the Coral Sea Fishery he/she must not on the same trip fish outside the
Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The holder of the fishing permit must ensure that relevant information about fish taken in the area
of the Coral Sea Fishery is accurately and fully recorded and submitted in the logbook titled
Commonwealth Coral Sea Line, Trawl & Collection Daily Confidential Fishing Logbook (CS01)
(unless specified otherwise) in accordance with the general information and instructions for
completion of that logbook.
LICENCE SPLITTING
Fishing permit conditions to prevent automatic licence splitting to the fishing permit holder by a
State or Territory.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
14
BOAT NOMINATIONS
Fishing permit conditions to prevent the same boat being shared by two holders of separate fishing
concessions
USE OF AUTOMATIC BAITING EQUIPMENT
Automatic baiting is a system that, by way of mechanical operation, automatically positions baits on
hooks without the need for each hook/snood to be individually clipped on the mainline directly by
hand during the setting of the gear.
The fishing permit does not allow the use of a boat that is equipped with automatic baiting
equipment unless otherwise approved by AFMA and stated in the fishing permit. However, the
fishing permit holder may apply to AFMA to use automatic baiting equipment. Additional permit
conditions are placed on those permits allowing the use of automatic baiting equipment.
USE OF RANDOM BAITING EQUIPMENT
Random baiting is a system that randomly positions baits on hooks where each hook/snood must be
individually clipped on to the mainline directly by hand during the setting of the gear. Additional
permit conditions are placed on those permits allowing the use of random baiting equipment.
The fishing permit does not allow the use of random baiting equipment unless otherwise stated in
Attachment A to the fishing permit. However, the fishing permit holder may apply to AFMA to use
random baiting equipment.
ICVMS REQUIREMENTS
The boat must be fitted with an AFMA approved operational Integrated Computer Vessel
Monitoring System (ICVMS). Conditions relating to ICVMS specifications and operating
instructions must be complied with.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
15
ADDITIONAL DEMERSAL LINE PERMIT CONDITIONS FOR APPROVED
AUTOMATIC BAITING EQUIPMENT
If the fishing permit holder is permitted to use automatic baiting equipment in the area of the Coral
Sea Fishery operations are subject to the following additional line conditions:
(A)
ensure that the boat specified in Schedule 3 of this fishing permit is only fitted with an
AFMA approved automatic baiting system;
(B)
have a bird scaring tori line installed in accordance with the Fisheries Management
Regulations as follows:
1.
Tori Pole apparatus consists of:
2.
3.
(a)
a Tori Pole; and
(b)
a bird line attached to the Tori Pole; and
(c)
at least 3 streamer pairs attached to the bird line.
A Tori Pole must be constructed of material that is strong enough to withstand all weather
conditions in which longline fishing activities are likely to be undertaken and, when in use:
(a)
so mounted on the boat that it operates satisfactorily in the weather conditions in
which it is being used; and
(b)
so positioned that the bird line attached to it will pass directly over the point at which
the hooks, connected directly or indirectly to the longline, enter the water.
A bird line must be:
(a)
4.
constructed of material that is:
(i)
between 2mm and 5mm in diameter at all points; and
(ii)
strong enough to withstand all weather conditions in which longline fishing
activities are likely to be undertake; and
(b)
long enough, and able to be set, to extend at least 150 metres from the stern of the
boat on which it is mounted: and
(c)
fitted with at least 3 streamer pairs which are so positioned that, when the bird line is
set:
(i)
the streamer pair nearest to the boat is positioned not more than 10 metres
(measured horizontally) from the boat; and
(ii)
each other streamer pair is positioned approximately 7 metres apart from any
other streamer pair in the apparatus.
A streamer pair must be:
(a)
constructed from:
(i)
cord that is at leat 2.5mm in diameter; and
(ii)
red urethane tubing, long enough to extend the full length of the streamer
pair, the inside diameter of which is at least 5mm; and
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
16
(b)
(i)
threading the cord through the tubing; and
(ii)
crimping or knotting the cord at the lowermost end to secure the tubing to the
cord; and
(c)
mounted on the bird line using a 3-way swivel that is strong enough to withstand all
weather conditions in which longline fishing activities are likely to be undertaken;
and
(d)
of such length that:
(e)
(C)
assembled by:
(i)
each streamer in a streamer pair, when mounted on the bird line, has its
lowest point swinging freely just clear of the water; and
(ii)
each streamer in the streamer pair that is positioned the greatest distance from
the boat is:
(A)
if the boat is an Australian boat - at least 1 metre long; or
(B)
if the boat is a foreign boat - at least 3.5 metres long; and
able to move freely.
facilitate the carriage of an AFMA approved observer for the first commercial trip after
installation of an AFMA approved automatic baiting system;
i.
if a "Mustad" automatic baiting system is installed then carriage of an
observer is required thereafter every 4th trip; or
ii.
if "Best Fishing Gear" (BFG) automatic baiting system is installed then
carriage of an observer is required thereafter every 3rd trip.
(D)
observe and comply with Fisheries Management Regulation 2001 (No. 1), Schedule 1,
Amendments Part 12 Incidental Catch of Seabird, Division 3 Discharge of Offal Regulation
Numbers 75, 76 and 77.
(E)
ensure that all information about any interaction of seabirds are accurately and fully
recorded in the logbook titled CS01 and that the Log is completed and lodged in accordance
with the instructions contained within the logbook.
(F)
ensure that automatic baiting gear is set in waters deeper than 200 metres
(G)
ensure that no more than a total of 15,000 hooks be used, stowed and/or secured on the boat
when fishing under the authority of this fishing permit.
(H)
ensure the boat is fitted with an Integrated Computer Vessel Monitoring System (ICVMS)
and comply with the condition titled "VMS Requirements" in Schedule 4 of this fishing
permit.
(I)
The permit holder, or authorised representative, is prohibited from carrying, retaining, or
landing all shark (Class Chondricthyes) dorsal, pectoral, caudal, pelvic and anal fins that are
not attached to their carcass.
(J)
ensure that all commitments made in the fishing plan relating to the use of the automatic
baiting system are met and any contingent action required by the plan is taken.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
17
FISHING IN THE CORAL SEA FISHERIES TRAWL SECTOR
METHODS AUTHORISED UNDER THIS FISHING PERMIT
This fishing permit allows fishing by the method known as otter trawl in the area of waters of the
CSF. The fishing permit holder, or authorised representative, must ensure that the trawl net must not
be less than 38 millimetres at any part of the net which measured in accordance with the condition
titled "Measuring nets".
MINIMUM FISHING DAYS
The fishing permit holder must ensure that a minimum of 20 days fishing activity is conducted in
the period of the fishing permit, in respect of the area of waters of the CSF. A full report covering
all aspects of this fishing operation must be submitted to the Manager, Coral Sea Fisheries, AFMA
at the expiration of this fishing permit. The report includes details of activities undertaken as well
as detailed catch and marketing arrangements.
MEASURING NETS
A mesh in a net must be measured in either one of the following ways:
i
Measurement using a metal rule:
Immediately before a measurement is taken, the part of the net to be measured must be soaked in
fresh or salt water for not less than 5 minutes. The part of the net to be measured must then be
suspended vertically and a weight of 3.17 kilograms (7 pounds) must be suspended from one knot
of that part of the net.
The distance between the surface of the knot from which the weight is suspended and the surface of
the knot in the diagonally opposite corner of the mesh immediately above the first-mentioned knot
must be measured with a metal rule to 1.6 millimetres (the nearest 1/16th part of an inch).
ii
Measurement using a two-arm device:
Immediately before a measurement is taken, the part of the net to be measured must be soaked in
fresh or salt water for not less than 5 minutes.
The part of the net to be measured must be suspended vertically. The distance between the surface
of a knot and the surface of the knot diagonally opposite the first-mentioned knot in the same mesh
must be measured by means of a device designed for the measuring of the mesh of nets by means of
two arms, the upper of which, when the device is in use, is fixed to the body of the device and the
lower of which, when the device is in use:
-
is directly below the upper;
-
moves freely in relation to the upper; and
-
has a weight of 3.17 kilograms (7 pounds) acting on it.
The device must be suspended in such a manner as to ensure that the upper edge remains in a fixed
position and that the lower edge can move freely in relation to the upper edge, within the confines
of the mesh to be measured. The device must be equipped with a scale from which the distance
between the upper edge of the upper arm and the lower edge of the lower arm can be ascertained, at
any time, to 1.6 millimetres (the nearest 1/16th part of an inch).
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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TAKING OR CARRYING TUNA AND TUNA LIKE SPECIES
The fishing permit does not allow fishing for tuna and tuna like species consisting of:
(a)
fish of the family Scombridae and of the family Bramidae (commonly known as pomfrets or
ray's bream) except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber, Acanthocybium,
Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
(b)
fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
FISH TAKEN WITH ANOTHER BOAT
The fishing permit does not allow the carrying of fish taken with the use of another boat unless
specified.
TRANSHIPPING FISH
This fishing permit does not allow the transhipping of fish unless specified.
ICVMS REQUIREMENTS
The boat must be fitted with an AFMA approved operational Integrated Computer Vessel
Monitoring System (ICVMS) and the operator must comply with a number of operational
conditions.
LANDING REQUIREMENTS FOR SHARKS
All sharks of the Class Chondricthyes, excluding skates and rays, angel shark or the Family
Squantinidae, spurdogs of the genus Squalus and elephant fish of the Families Callorhinchidae,
Chimaeridae and Rhinochimaeridae, must be landed and sent to the receiver headed and gutted
(trunked) with their dorsal, pectoral and caudal (tail) fins on their carcass. The tail tip may be cut
off at the sub-terminal notch, but the caudal lobe must be left attached. Pelvic fins and claspers may
be removed or left attached to their carcass.
Diagram 1 illustrates the standard processing cuts for all sharks. This requirement means that the
operators are prohibited from carrying, retaining or landing shark of the Class Chondrichtyes where
the dorsal, pectoral, caudal, pelvic and anal fins that are not attached to their carcass unless
otherwise stated in the landing requirements for shark condition.
Diagram 1-Standard processing cuts for all sharks
Dorsal fin
Caudal fin
Sub-terminal notch
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
19
Angel sharks of the Family Squantinidae may be landed headed and gutted (trunked) with their
belly flaps removed. The dorsal, pectoral and caudal (tail) fins must not be removed from their
carcass. The tail tip may be cut off at the sub-terminal notch. Pelvic fins and claspers may be
removed or left attached to their carcass.
Spurdogs of the genus Squalus may be landed headed and gutted (trunked). The dorsal and caudal
(tail) fins must not be removed from their carcass. The tail tip may be cut off at the sub terminal
notch. Pectoral fins, belly flaps, pelvic fins and claspers may be removed or left attached to their
carcass.
Skates, rays and banjo sharks (Trygonorrhina sp.) may be processed at sea, but not skinned or
filleted. Banjo shark may be landed headed and gutted with their belly flaps, pelvic fins and claspers
removed from their carcass. The pectoral fins and tail must not be removed. Skates and rays may be
landed headed and gutted with their pectoral fins removed. Pectoral fins obtained from skates and
rays may also be landed separately.
Elephant fish of the Families Callorhinchidae, Chimaeridae and Rhinochimaeridae must be landed
and sent to the receiver headed and gutted with the belly flaps removed. Fins must be removed
excluding the second dorsal fin and tail, which must be left attached to their carcass for
identification purposes.
Diagram 2: Standard processing cuts for all Chimaeras
1st Dorsal fin
2nd Dorsal fin
Caudal fin
BOAT INSPECTIONS
If requested by AFMA, the fishing permit holder must make the boat available for an inspection
prior to departure on a trip, at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
CARRIAGE OF FISHERIES OBSERVERS
If Attachment A of the fishing permit authorises the use of trawl nets, or if the fishing permit holder
is requested by AFMA or its delegate, the fishing permit holder must facilitate the carriage of
fisheries observers on the boat.
FISHING OUTSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING ZONE
On a trip in which the fishing permit holder, or person acting on behalf of the fishing permit holder,
fishes within the area of the Coral Sea Fishery he/she must not on the same trip fish outside the
Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The holder of this fishing permit must ensure that relevant information about fish taken in the area
of the CSF is accurately and fully recorded and submitted in the logbook titled Commonwealth
Coral Sea Line, Trawl & Collection Daily Confidential Fishing Logbook (CS01) in accordance with
the General Information and Instructions for completion of that logbook.
LICENCE SPLITTING
Fishing permit conditions are in place to prevent automatic licence splitting.
BOAT NOMINATIONS
Fishing permit conditions to prevent the same boat being shared by two holders of separate fishing
concessions.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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FISHING IN THE CORAL SEA FISHERIES TROCHUS AND LOBSTER
COLLECTION SECTOR
TAKING AND CARRYING FISH
This fishing permit allows the collection of trochus and lobster in the area of waters defined as the
Coral Sea Fishery.
MINIMUM FISHING DAYS
The fishing permit holder must ensure that a minimum of 5 days fishing activity is conducted within
the period of time that the permit covers and a full report is provided to AFMA in accordance with
the condition titled 'Minimum fishing days'.
METHODS AUTHORISED UNDER THIS FISHING PERMIT
This fishing permit authorises the collection of the species detailed in the condition titled 'taking
and carrying fish' above by hand with or without the use of diving equipment.
OPERATOR LIMIT
The fishing permit holder must ensure that not more than seven (7) persons take fish using the boat
specified on the permit.
TAKING OR CARRYING TUNA AND TUNA LIKE SPECIES
This fishing permit does not allow fishing for tuna and tuna like species consisting of:
(a)
fish of the family Scombridae and of the family Bramidae (commonly known as pomfrets or
ray's bream except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber, Acanthocybium,
Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
(b)
fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
FISH TAKEN WITH ANOTHER BOAT
This fishing permit does not allow the carrying of fish taken with the use of another boat unless
specified in Attachment A of the permit.
TRANSHIPPING FISH
This fishing permit does not allow the transhipping of fish unless specified in Attachment A.
BOAT INSPECTIONS
If requested by AFMA, the fishing permit holder must make the boat available for an inspection
prior to departure on a trip, at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
CARRIAGE OF FISHERIES OBSERVERS
If requested by AFMA or its delegate, the fishing permit holder must facilitate the carriage of
fisheries observers on the boat.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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FISHING OUTSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING ZONE
On a trip in which the fishing permit holder, or person acting on behalf of the fishing permit holder,
fishes within the area of the Coral Sea Fishery he/she must not on the same trip fish outside the
Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The holder of this fishing permit must ensure that relevant information about fish taken in the area
of the Coral Sea Fishery is accurately and fully recorded and submitted in the logbook titled
Commonwealth Coral Sea Line, Trawl &Collection Daily Confidential Fishing Logbook (CS01).
A full report covering all aspects of this fishing operation must be submitted to the Manager, Coral
Sea Fisheries, AFMA at the expiration of this fishing permit. The report should include details of
activities undertaken as well as detailed catch and marketing arrangements.
LICENCE SPLITTING
Fishing permit conditions to prevent automatic licence splitting to the fishing permit holder by a
State or Territory.
TENDER BOATS
This fishing permit allows the boat specified in the permit, and a maximum of two (2) tender boats
registered with that boat, to be used for the fishing activity specified in the condition titled 'Taking
and carrying fish' above in reference to the conditions titled 'Fish taken with another boat' and
'Transhipping fish'.
BOAT NOMINATIONS
Fishing permit conditions to prevent the same boat being shared by two holders of separate fishing
concessions.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
23
FISHING IN THE CORAL SEA FISHERIES SEA CUCUMBER
COLLECTION SECTOR
METHODS AUTHORISED UNDER THIS FISHING PERMIT
This fishing permit authorises the collection of the sea cucumber by hand with or without the use of
diving equipment.
TAKING AND CARRYING FISH
This fishing permit allows the collection of sea cucumber in the area of waters defined in Schedule
2, subject to the following catch limits. The landed weight of fish that may be taken under this
fishing permit must not exceed:
(a)
2 tonnes of white teat fish; (TBA)
(b)
500 kg’s of black teat fish; (TBA)
(c)
10 tonnes of prickly red fish;
(d)
5 tonnes of sand fish
(e)
5 tonnes of surf red fish; and
(f)
75 tonnes in total of sea cucumber including all those species referred to in parts (a) - (e) of
this condition and any other sea cucumber.
TAKING OR CARRYING TUNA AND TUNA LIKE SPECIES
This fishing permit does not allow fishing for tuna and tuna like species consisting of:
(a)
fish of the family Scombridae and of the family Bramidae (commonly known as pomfrets or
ray's bream) except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber, Acanthocybium,
Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
(b)
fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
FISH TAKEN WITH ANOTHER BOAT
This fishing permit does not allow the carrying of fish taken with the use of another boat unless
specified in Attachment A.
TRANSHIPPING FISH
This fishing permit does not allow the transhipping of fish unless specified in Attachment A.
BOAT INSPECTIONS
If requested by AFMA, the fishing permit holder must make the boat available for an inspection
prior to departure on a trip, at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
CARRIAGE OF FISHERIES OBSERVERS
If requested by AFMA or its delegate, the fishing permit holder must facilitate the carriage of
fisheries observers on the boat.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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FISHING OUTSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING ZONE
On a trip in which the fishing permit holder, or person acting on behalf of the fishing permit holder,
fishes within the area of the Coral Sea Fishery he/she must not on the same trip fish outside the
Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The holder of this fishing permit must ensure that relevant information about fish taken in the area
of the Coral Sea Fishery is accurately and fully recorded and submitted in the logbook titled
Commonwealth Coral Sea Line, Trawl & Collection Daily Confidential Fishing Logbook (CS01).
A full report covering all aspects of this fishing operation must be submitted to the Manager, Coral
Sea Fisheries, AFMA at the expiration of this fishing permit. The report should include details of
activities undertaken as well as detailed catch and marketing arrangements.
LICENCE SPLITTING
This Fishing permit has conditions to prevent automatic licence splitting.
BOAT NOMINATIONS
This fishing permit contains conditions to prevent the same boat being shared by two holders of
separate fishing concessions
OPERATOR LIMIT
The fishing permit holder must ensure that not more than seven (7) persons take fish using the boat
specified in Schedule 3 of the permit.
TENDER BOATS
This fishing permit allows the boat specified in the permit and a maximum of two (2) tender boats
registered with that boat, to be used for the fishing activities specified in the condition titled
"Taking and carrying fish" in reference to the conditions titled "Fish taken with another boat" and
"Transhipping fish".
SINGLE JURISDICTION FISHING TRIPS
The fishing permit holder, or authorised representative, must not fish in the area of the Coral Sea
Fishery and in an area outside the Coral Sea Fishery on the same fishing trip.
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE REPORTS
The fishing permit holder must ensure that prior to leaving port to fish for sea cucumber he/she
nominates if the boat will be operating under the authority of this fishing permit or any other
authorisation nominated to the boat by contacting AFMA and providing fishing plan details.
PRIOR TO LANDING REPORT
At least two hours before the boat is moored or anchored in a port or any other place, the fishing
permit holder, or authorised representative, must notify AFMA and provide details regarding the
fishing trip
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
25
ICVMS REQUIREMENTS
The boat must be fitted with an operational Integrated Computer Vessel Monitoring System
(ICVMS). Conditions regarding installation and operation of ICVMS must be complied with.
DISPOSAL OF CATCH
The fishing permit holder must ensure that the first receiver to whom they sell or otherwise
dispose of sea cucumber taken from the fishery accurately completes and submits the "Fish
Receiver Section" of the Coral Sea Catch Disposal Record (CS2A) according to the instructions
contained within the catch disposal record.
DEFINITIONS
Black teat fish
Prickly red fish
Sand fish
Sea cucumber
-
Surf red fish
White teat fish
-
of the species Holothuria whitmaei
of the species Thelenota ananas
of the species Holothuria scabra
of the Order Aspidochirotida of which the dried product is
commonly known as beche-de-mer
of the species Actinopyga mauritiana
of the species Holothuria nobilis
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
26
FISHING IN THE CORAL SEA FISHERIES AQUARIUM COLLECTION
SECTOR
METHODS AUTHORISED UNDER THIS FISHING PERMIT
This fishing permit allows the fishing permit holder to:
(a)
take live aquarium fish by hand, by a barbless hook and line and by scoop net;
(b)
herd fish into collection areas with the use of cast, scoop and seine nets or hand held rod;
and
(c)
conduct these activities with the use of diving equipment, in the area of waters specified in
Schedule 2 subject to the following net restrictions:
(i)
if fishing with a scoop net, the net must be no more than 2 metres in any direction,
have a maximum mesh size of 25 millimetres and have a handle/shaft length of less
than 2.5 metres; and
(ii)
if fishing with a cast net, the net must be no more than 6 metres in diameter and have
a maximum mesh size of 28 millimetres; and
(iii)
if fishing with a seine net, the net must be no more than 16 metres in length, have a
maximum mesh size of 25 millimetres and have a drop of less than 3 metres. The
size of the mesh is determined by measuring the distance between the innermost
edges of two diagonally opposite knots of the mesh, while the two knots are pulled in
opposite directions so that the twine is taut.
TAKING AND CARRYING FISH
This fishing permit allows the collection of fish from the Class Chrondrichthyes (cartilaginous
fishes) and Osteichthyes (bonyfishes), except for those species referred to in the condition titled
'taking or carrying tuna and tuna like species'.
TAKING OR CARRYING TUNA AND TUNA LIKE SPECIES
This fishing permit does not allow fishing for tuna and tuna like species consisting of:
(a)
fish of the family Scombridae and of the family Bramidae (commonly known as pomfrets or
ray's bream) except fish of the genera Scomberomorus, Scomber, Acanthocybium,
Grammatorcynus and Rastrelliger (commonly known as mackerels); and
(b)
fish of the families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae (commonly known as billfish).
FISH TAKEN WITH ANOTHER BOAT
This fishing permit does not allow the carrying of fish taken with the use of another boat unless
specified in Attachment A.
TRANSHIPPING FISH
This fishing permit does not allow the transhipping of fish unless specified.
Coral Sea Fishery Statement of Management Arrangements – March 2004
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BOAT INSPECTIONS
If requested by AFMA, the fishing permit holder must make the boat available for an inspection
prior to departure on a trip, at a port or other location specified by AFMA.
CARRIAGE OF FISHERIES OBSERVERS
If requested by AFMA or its delegate, the fishing permit holder must facilitate the carriage of
fisheries observers on the boat.
FISHING OUTSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN FISHING ZONE
On a trip in which the fishing permit holder, or person acting on behalf of the fishing permit holder,
fishes within the area of the Coral Sea Fishery he/she must not on the same trip fish outside the
Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
LOGBOOK REQUIREMENTS
The fishing permit holder must ensure that information about fishing activity conducted under this
fishing permit is recorded in the catch and effort logbook distributed by the Queensland Fisheries
Service and known as the "Aquarium Fish Trip Logbook AQ03". Copies of relevant pages of that
logbook are submitted monthly to the Manager, Coral Sea Fishery. A full report covering all aspects
of this fishing operation must be submitted to the Manager, Coral Sea Fisheries, AFMA at the
expiration of this fishing permit. The report should include details of activities undertaken as well as
detailed catch and marketing arrangements.
OPERATOR LIMIT
The fishing permit holder must ensure that not more than eight (8) persons take fish using the boat
specified in Schedule 3 of the permit..
TENDER BOATS
This fishing permit allows the boat specified in Schedule 3, and a maximum of two (2) tender boats
registered with that boat, to be used for the fishing activity in reference to the conditions titled 'Fish
taken with another boat' and 'Transhipping fish'.
BOAT NOMINATIONS
Fishing permit conditions exist to prevent the same boat being shared by two holders of separate
fishing concessions.
CHEMICALS & EXPLOSIVES
This fishing permit prohibits the use of chemicals (including anaesthetics) and explosives.
LICENCE SPLITTING
Fishing permit conditions exist to prevent automatic licence splitting.
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DEFINITIONS
Schedule 1 refers to - the fishing permit holder's contact details and licence package information.
Schedule 2 refers to - the area of waters applicable to the fishing permit holder's fishing operations
under this fishing permit.
Schedule 3 refers to - the description of the boat to be used in conjunction with this fishing permit.
Schedule 4 refers to - the conditions applicable to this fishing permit.
Fisheries Observer means - a person who is carried on board the boat at the request of AFMA, or its
delegate, for the purpose of collating scientific data and samples and recording interactions on
target species, by-catch, by-product and with seabirds, reptiles or mammals.
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