Question On Notice No. 270 asked in the Legislative Council on 2 September 2021 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Fisheries
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the closure of South Coast shark fisheries around sealion breeding areas, and I ask:
(a) what additional travel have South Coast shark fishers been forced to undertake to maintain their businesses;
(b) what compensation has been paid to impacted fishers;
(c) are impacted fishers able to lease their licences to other people;
(d) were any licences withdrawn or voluntarily surrendered as a part of the process; and
(e) if yes to (d), how many and what compensation was paid?
Answered on 12 October 2021
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) requires the Commonwealth Government to assess the environmental performance of fisheries and any potential impacts on protected marine species. To satisfy an approval condition, Australian sea lion gillnet exclusion zones were introduced in 2018 around important breeding colonies in the West Coast and South Coast Bioregions. The zones were negotiated between the State and Commonwealth Governments based on the best available science.
(a) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will conduct a review in 2022 of effort changes in the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fishery following implementation of the zones and the availability of sufficient time series data.
(b) As the requirements were introduced under the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act to reduce the impact of fishing activity on a listed threatened species, there is no compensation payable on the part of the State Government
(c) Yes. Licence holders in the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries have the ability to lease or sell their managed fishery licences or permits under current management arrangements.
(d) No.
(e) Not applicable.