QUEENSLAND NETTING BUYBACK

One of the commitments for the new Queensland Government in their 100 day program is the $9million inshore netting buyback.

The invitations have finally gone out for the stakeholder working group; David Bateman will be representing Sunfish Qld. He has considerable experience and a good working knowledge and history base with respect to commercial netting in Queensland.

Quotes from Policy Factsheet – Marine Resources:

The buyback will target large mesh and gill nets with a special focus on important recreational fishing locations and areas of high conservation value.

There will be increased recreational fishing opportunities and a more profitable and sustainable commercial fishing industry.

The LNP understands fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in Queensland, with an estimated 750,000 recreational fishers in this State. Fishing is very much a part of life in Queensland.

Sunfish Queensland sent this initial proposal for consideration to the Minister.

Effort reduction should be achieved in two stages –                                                

1.                   Voluntary/compulsory buy back of endorsements and primary vessel licences

2.                   Capping of future effort within the fishery

Stage 1

Over previous “buy outs” obviously little effort reduction has been achieved as non-producing endorsements (latent) or worked endorsements were “paid for” and cashed up operators just purchased others. They then continued fishing and there was little actual “real effort” removed.

Primary vessel licenses in most cases were left intact and available for existing “group” endorsements to be “split” and attached to the primary vessel or alternative endorsements/quota were purchased and attached to the primary.

Commercial fishers were not bound to retire from fishing for any period after being compensated.

Using the Rural Adjustment Process has NOT worked in the best interests of public expenditure. The failings of the scheme were forecast by both the commercial sector and Sunfish but ignored.

RECOMMENDATION

In all future “compensation” deliberations a representative from the QSIA/Commercial sector and a representative from SUNFISH to be included on the review panel to ensure accuracy of information and clarity of process.

Any effort reduction must include a significant netting component.

Suggested alternative process-

·                     Monies from the election promises be made available immediately - $ 9m

Voluntary surrender -

·                     Buyback be set at the level of income from the endorsement over past year or average of last 3                           years – tax value proof needed.

·                     Only full licence packages to be “bought out” (primary vessels with all    endorsements).

·                     unused endorsements at base price of $5,000 regardless of use

·                     Primary vessel at a maximum fixed price of $15,000

·                     Examples –         N at $5k, C at $10k, L at $2k, primary vessel = $17k + $15k = $32k

                                                N at $2k, C at $20, Lat $5k, primary vessel = $27k + $15k = $42k

·                     A commercial fisher who has been bought out must not enter any fishery as a   Master or assistant                       for a period of 3 years- signed contract needed.

Compulsory acquisition of endorsements/license packages –

·                     Same basis but subject to negotiation in special circumstances where an area is reallocated for                             alternative use. E.g. Community benefit area, Marine park declaration or closure as at Gladstone.

·                     The area where the “endorsements “ are removed to be closed to all commercial fishing

Stage 2

This will come into force at the completion of stage 1 when either the $9m has been spent or the time to apply for the “buy out/compensation” has expired.

The purpose is to cap the current catch level and introduce a “buy out reduction system” of existing endorsements by the commercial industry not the Government.

It will also give remaining operators more surety as well as a more viable economic industry.

Reducing the number of commercial fishers will also reduce conflict – internally and externally.

Suggested process –

·                     Catch levels be capped for each endorsement at the level of catch history for the                                               past 12 months or average over the past 3 years. E.g. N- 5 tonnes, C-5 tonnes, L-2   tonnes.

·                     Any commercial fisher wanting to increase his catch can purchase another endorsement                                       and have the catch level increased on his existing one.

·                     Purchased endorsement to be surrendered.

·                     The practice of allowing leasing of any of these endorsements to be discontinued.

·                     Any commercial fisher wanting to purchase an operation involving C, N or L endorsements must                             prove they haveat least 1 years’ experience in the particular fishery.

 

The advantages of this system is –

1.                   Commercial fishers are not disadvantaged as their current catch level is historically recognised.

2.                   The total catch in each fishery is capped.

3.                   To allow a fisher more scope to expand his operation he can buy additional catch by purchasing an                         existing  endorsement with catch history.

4.                   Endorsements without catch history will be worth nothing and probably be surrendered.

There have been many recommendations submitted to the Minister and his departmental representatives as to how the process should occur. Minister McVeigh has made himself available to hear the positions submitted by all sectors.