As with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Protected Area and the South-east Marine Bio-regional plan, future social and economic impact assessments of Commonwealth and State declared MPAs/marine reserves are likely to contribute to the estimated quantum and distribution of adjustment assistance for displaced fishing effort.

However, previous experiences of adjustment assistance for displaced effort have never been evaluated as to whether these schemes alleviated the impacts on communities and fishers most affected or whether the assistance provided was used by recipients for what it was intended.

Evaluating these impacts will better inform and shape the intensive marine bioregional planning process over the next two years.

An optimised displaced effort adjustment program should result in:

1. potentially reduced expenditure due to better-targetted assistance
2. faster planning processes for future MPAs.
3. reduced administrative burdens due to lower levels of complaints and challenge.

The inshore gillnet fishery of Queensland operates in nearshore shallow, turbid waters of our coastline also shared with species of conservation interest (SOCI; eg. dugong, turtle, dolphin and large sharks. Interactions between nets and SOCI are inevitable and in the interest of conservation, safety and fishing efficiency there is a need to minimise these interactions.

Current construction of gillnets mean that very large animals often become entangled in the nets and are unable to break free. Where the animal breaks free or is cut free by the fisher, significant damage is caused to the fishing gear reducing fishery efficiency, productivity and profitability. More importantly, these interactions pose an unnecessary risk to the fisher and the vessel, often resulting in injury or mortality to the animal.

There is significant concern for the conservation of SOCI in northern Australia, particularly in the GBRMP; a World Heritage Area. Fishing, particularly the use of gillnets, is regarded as a major threat to SOCI. Assessing strategies for net fisheries that may minimise these interactions is seen as high priorities for research by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Fisheries and conservation groups such as the World Wildlife Fund. This project addresses these high priorities and also addresses one of the high priority research areas specified for inshore fisheries by the Queensland Fisheries Research Advisory Board for 2010. Effective mitigation using modified gear will minimise the need for urgent government intervention as seen in the Boyne River recently (http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=74570).

In Australia, the dugong is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a listed 'migratory species' and a listed 'marine species' and ‘vulnerable’ under Queensland’s Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. The dugong is also listed as a 'protected species' under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983.

The Australian (and New Zealand) Fishing Industry requires assistance in becoming a more efficient user of energy. Some forms of fishing, such as trawling, expend more fuel per kg of fish landed compared to others (i.e. passive methods such as longlining and trap fishing). In each case however, rising fuel prices still impinge on the profitability of the operation, and ultimately put its viability in jeopardy.

The Australian Fishing industry has to undertake an energy audit. This is not a new process. Land-based businesses, both large and small, have been doing this for years.

Some good results have been achieved. Importantly, it has been proven to work. Even in businesses where managers and owners are convinced they are very efficient energy users.

So why do energy audits usually lead to tangible benefits for the businesses undertaking them? Well, put simply, running a business such as fishing boat, keeps people busy, and as much as these people try to keep abreast of technological improvements and alternative methods that can reduce energy usage, they usually escape detection or adoption for some time.

In contrast, qualified auditors are in the business of saving energy. They draw on data from previous audits on similar businesses, have a supporting base of well-qualified technical advisors in relevant areas, and may draw on government assistance.

Government agencies such as the Sustainable Energy Authority and EPA support energy audits because they do have the potential to reduce energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions, and importantly make Australian businesses more competitive.

Governments also realise that audits typically draw a taskforce of suitably qualified people together, which over time can be expanded and enhanced. Ultimately this strengthens the foundation of the industry it services.

Supporting this project will therefore assist with achieving these benefits.