Qld Fisheries Working Groups Expressions Of Interest

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 taken from fisheries Qld email 5-7-17

 

Dear fisheries stakeholder,

In June 2017 the Queensland Government released the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017 – 2027, paving the way for Queensland to have a world-class fisheries management system.

A key action of the strategy is to establish fishery-specific working groups to provide operational advice from stakeholders from across the sector in the fisheries management process.

Fisheries Queensland is now seeking expressions of interest for members of the first three fishery working groups being established for the trawl, crab and east coast inshore fisheries. 

Each working group will provide advice to Fisheries Queensland on the operational aspects of the management of a particular fishery. The initial focus will be advice on the development of management options and a harvest strategy for the fishery. 

Working groups are advisory only and will not be decision-making bodies. Working groups will be made up of a range of stakeholders – commercial and recreational fishers, charter operators, seafood marketers and processors and people with conservation experience. Anyone is able to nominate, regardless of whether you are a member of a industry or community organisation.

Independent scientific advice will also be sought from the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel, made up of experts in the field of fish biology, fishery management, stock assessment modelling and economic and social science.

Membership on the working groups is on a voluntary basis. No sitting fees will be paid. Members will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses including domestic travel, accommodation costs, motor vehicle allowances and meals.

Participation in working groups is a big commitment. Working groups established to provide advice on the development of a harvest strategy will be intensive and require a number of meetings every 4 to 8 weeks and out-of-session work.  Some meeting may be held using teleconference facilities.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Saturday, 22 July 2017.

To apply please visit the Expression of Interest website (https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/fisheries/consultations-and-legislation/fisheries-working-groups-expressions-of-interest) and complete the Expression of Interest Form.

Please return your completed nomination form to:

• Mail: Director, Management and Reform, Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, GPO
  Box 46, Brisbane
  QLD 4001; or
• Email: fisheriesreview@daf.qld.gov.au.

Membership of working groups will be finalised by August 2017.  Successful applicants will be notified in writing and be contacted to arrange attendance at the first working group meeting – scheduled for September/October 2017.

Being a member of a working group is not the only way to get involved. Fisheries Queensland will be engaging all stakeholders more broadly. One of the actions in the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is to utilise more novel engagement techniques (including online surveys) to gather a range of feedback on particular fishery issues. Fisheries Queensland will also be holding regular regional face to face meetings in regional and port areas and releasing discussion papers on options to better manage our fisheries.

More information about the working groups, including Terms of Reference, is available online at www.daf.qld.gov.au. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 if you have any queries.