Climate change is manifesting in marine environments. Additional to climate variability there is documented shifts in ocean currents - temperature, behaviour and spatial impact. Biotic indications eg species changes in abundance and range suggest impacts are at a level greater than for terrestrial ecosystems and uses. Coupled with this is the common property nature of fisheries resources. Management imperatives are already upon Government and all key sectors - conservation, commercial and recreational fishery management and aquaculture.

The first two challenges are to -
a) smartly adapt to biotic changes and variations in abundance
b) foster a more flexible and responsive approach to marine management.

Climate change is a political issue - the public policy issue that has been most incompetently dealt with by Australia's political leaders. Community understanding of the complexities of climate change and how Australia should respond is varied with multiple areas for confusion and misunderstanding. Additionally, those promoting a mitigation response have been alarmist in their predictions - well beyond the science evidence.
With this confusion as to the implications of climate change and options for adaptation and mitigation strategies, informed debate is extremely difficult. The recreational fishing sector is no different to the wider community.

Given the economic and social importance of recreational fishing in Australia, there is a national need and strong regional demand for strategies and adaptation activities and management systems that respond wisely to climate change.

The second two challenges are to:
c) ensure accurate information on climate change information is available and is placed in context with other aspects such as habitat loss and water quality
d) foster knowledge and adaptation strategies from within the recreational fishing sector so that the sector can play its role in advocacy and public policy development.

Energy is currently a major issue for the Fishing Industry and an area in which the FRDC has focused in the past five years. FRDC has developed a good international network to share research outcomes the issue of energy, fuel and improving boat efficiency.

On 20 May 2010, the first major international conference on energy and fishing will be held in Spain. E-Fishing 2010 is the first of a series of biannual conferences devoted to the study of energy efficiency in the fishing world. This symposium aims to be a forum where experts will present the latest advances in research and development aimed at improving the energy efficiency of fishing vessels and systems.

It is important that the informaiton form this conference is extended and made available for the fishing industry in Australia.

These same issues are impacting on the broader industry. The seafood industry requires solid intelligence in order to build a case for DEEWR's priority training places, as well as inform DEEWR generally on industry trends and needs. Secondly, the current state of communication between AFISC and its seafood standing committee is preventing effective consultation on workforce and training needs, and training package review.
For some time, this situation has been worsening and the FRDC is in a position to demonstrate leadership and facilitate a way forward in collaboration with AFISC and other stakeholders.