Qualitative assessment of the potential impacts of seismic survey activity on Victorian managed fisheries of commercial and recreational importance
Seismic surveys undertaken by the petroleum industry and the energy sector in offshore waters use high intensity airguns to characterise seabed petroleum resources and/or potential offshore energy installations. Seismic noise has been shown elsewhere to have adverse effects on marine biota including direct (e.g. injury) or indirect (e.g. behavioural) impacts. A review of relevant literature (including unpublished studies conducted in Victorian waters) is required to fully evaluate potential consequences of expanded seismic surveys. Such a review will provide a more robust basis for decision making by authorised planners consistent with a precautionary approach to development.
Developing capability and improve access to Chairperson capacity in fishing and aquaculture (bursary)
This course, 'The Role of the Chair' is presented by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and as such is a well recognised and regarded training body. The course itself explores the unique leadership responsibilities, including their relationships with other board members and the CEO that the Chair person's position has. It is a one day course held in Sydney, and requires pre-study and follow up review work.
The course offers a rare opportunity to discreetly discuss leadership and governance issues – including board selection, boardroom processes and CEO succession planning – with fellow chairs and experienced directors.
The benefit to the FRDC and to the industry is the improved skills and capabilities of Kate Brooks, most immediately in her role as Chairperson for the FRDC C&C Steering Committee, but also other Chairperson roles she may step up to such as those with OzFish Unlimited, or the SA Government, as the most immediate possibilities.
Bursaries to fund three South Australian Recreational Fishing community members to attend the National Recreational Fishing Conference 2019
Co-management is an arrangement whereby responsibilities and obligations for sustainable fisheries management are negotiated, shared and delegated at appropriate levels between government, recreational fishers, Aboriginal traditional fishers, the commercial fishing industry and other key stakeholders such as conservation groups (Neville 2008).
The Minister’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Council (MRFAC) was formed to improve dialogue and communication between recreational fishers and Government. The primary role of the MRFAC is to provide feedback and advice to government on recreational fishing development issues, initiatives and policies that impact the recreational fishing sector. The MRFAC strives to pursue opportunities to improve the co-management arrangements for the recreational fishery.
In 2010/11 an engagement project was undertaken by PIRSA to better understand what recreational fishing means to people and what future they want for their sector. Discussions generated consistent themes and issues of concern to recreational fishers, including sustainable fishing, ongoing access, funding and leadership, governance, education and promotion of the sector.
The outputs from this project identified opportunities for incorporating 'grass roots' input from the recreational sector into fisheries management processes in South Australia (Rowling et al. in prep) must include public consultation opportunities and participation in (1) technical working groups; (2) regional recreational committees; & (3) community forums.
This project aims to enhance these jurisdictional-based opportunities by increasing national-level capacity building opportunities for members of the South Australian community. In addition to the personal development aspect, the ability to create connections and links to the recreational community leaders from other states and territories will be invaluable to the future stewarding of the South Australian Recreational Fishing community.