3 results

National Workshop to mitigate theft of estuarine pots.

Project number: 2015-039
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $25,147.20
Principal Investigator: Tricia Beatty
Organisation: Professional Fishers Association (PFA)
Project start/end date: 6 Mar 2016 - 15 Sep 2016
:
SPECIES

Need

in 2014, the NSWFRAB identified as a R,D&E priority, research into anti-theft of mud crab (and other estuarine) pots. The FRDC Board determined that the research priority would require a National Workshop to ascertain whether research into this issue was feasible. The NSWFRAB requested that the PFA provide a quote for the facilitation and organisation of the National Workshop.

The PFA requested that the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) provide a costing for the facilitation of an anti-crime based workshop titled ”the National Workshop for the Anti-theft of Estuarine Pots” to be hosted at the Sydney Fish Markets. The UTS were chosen to facilitate as they are able to demonstrate a unique ‘multi-driver’ or ‘holistic’ approach whilst bringing the benefit of engaging diverse actors to facilitate an innovative and evidence-based, collaborative workshop environment.

Initial discussions have indicated that the issue stems from:
1. Unlicensed fishers stealing for commercial sale “shamateurs”
2. Opportunistic amateur fishers – due to the visability of the pot
3. Fellow commercial fishers

It was also identified that this was an issue faced by both commercial and amateur fishers who utilise estuarine pots (as an example of the across sector impact please see a recent article in NSW local paper http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3566048/something-fishy-harbour-crab-theft/?cs=776)
The NSW FRAB believes that there will be a Flow of Benefit to QLD and NT as it is understood that these areas are also facing similar issues with the theft of commercial and recreational estuarine pots.

Objectives

1. empower and provide tools to attendees to find innovative solutions
2. Framing the problem in a way that enables generation of solutions
3. Create solution directions to a complex and wicked problem
4. A Plan of Action that includes recommendations for further work to deal with the issues across all relevant stakeholder groups.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9577587-2-8
Author: Patricia Beatty & Rodger Watson
Final Report • 2016-11-01 • 1.96 MB
2015-039-DLD.pdf

Summary

The NSW Professional Fishermen’s Association in conjunction with the Fisheries Research Development Corporation organised an intensive workshop with a wide representation of participants from across Australia aimed at addressing issue of theft of and from estuarine pots.  Facilitated by the Designing Out Crime Research Centre, the workshop demonstrated a unique multi-driver approach by addressing the problem space in an innovative and collaborative manner.

The theft of and from estuarine pots is a serious issue facing both the NSW commercial fishing and recreational fishing communities. Mud crabs are highly prized and fetch high prices in seafood markets. This high price drives a thriving black market for mud crabs which is contributed to by both recreational and commercial fishers.  A discussion of possible solution directions is necessary with the rising incidences, and new and innovative measures will be required to prevent or discourage theft of mud crabs from estuarine
pots in the future. The Workshop was used to examine what pathways exist and possible mitigative measures to reduce the likelihood of the theft.

The Workshop identified 17 recommendations that focused on Justice, community awareness, stewardship, trust and innovation. The recommendations are still conceptual and require further development, but give a clear sense of the priority areas and issues identified.The Workshop agreed that the recommendations be presented a potential research directions and provide “solid starting points”.
Industry

Tactical Research Fund: Social Science Research Coordination Program - a socio—economic evaluation of the commercial fishing industry in the Ballina, Clarence and Coffs Harbour regions

Project number: 2009-054
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $34,000.00
Principal Investigator: John C. Harrison
Organisation: Professional Fishers Association (PFA)
Project start/end date: 21 Oct 2009 - 27 Feb 2010
:

Need

The need to know the impacts and benefits to society from commercial fishing industry activities is essential. A like study commissioned by the CRFC in 1995 has been of immense value. Repeating and improving this now in the climate that faces the industry will provide a first benchmark for the Coffs Harbour and Ballina regions whilst allowing for comparative analysis in the Clarence region with the 1995 report.
With the inclusion of Coffs Harbour and Ballina in the study we will be able to assess on a regional basis the benefits that the industry has on the North Coast of NSW. With challenges facing the viability of fishing cooperatives this evaluation will assist the cooperatives and the PFA in promoting the role, worth and importance of commercial fishing in their respective regions.

Objectives

1. Provide an historical account of development of commercial fishing in the regions.
2. Describe geographical characteristics, human alterations, fisheries habitats and fish communities in the regions.
3. Describe operations of commercial fisheries: harvesting/processing sectors and commercial catch in the regions.
4. Describe economic impact of the industry, output, income generation, employment and flow-on
5. Describe socio-economic benefits from commercial fishing in the regions for the local communities.
6. Develop an independent and objective evaluation of the three regions contribution to seafood security at the local/regional, state/national and international level while examining and commenting on the capacity and effectiveness of the economic impacts and benefits described in objective 4 & 5 for the purpose of informing management of industry.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9808239-0-5
Author: John Harrison
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