2019-07-18 OM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Fisheries Regulation Discussion Paper

20. Allocate individual transferable quota (ITQ) for tier 1 inshore species, barramundi, king
    threadfin, grey mackerel, school mackerel and whiting in the East Coast Inshore Fishery.
    It is proposed to allocate barramundi, king threadfin, grey mackerel, school mackerel and whiting
    ITQ units to eligible fishers (note: school mackerel and whiting ITQ would only apply to
    ‘management area 6’). Allocation would be based on:
   a. Each licence’s annual catch history for the six (6) best years from the seven (7) year allocation
      period between 2011 and 2017.
                             (Sum of licences reported catch for best 6 years ÷ 6) x allocation factor
        Allocated units =
                             Whole fishery sum of catch for best 6 years
   b. ITQ would be issued to eligible Commercial Fishing Boat Licences that have an N2 or L1
      symbol for barramundi or an N1, N2, N4, N10, N11, K1-K8, L1, L2 or L3 symbol for the other
      ITQ species on the date of allocation. The date of allocation would be a future date set by the
      Fisheries Regulation.
   Note: Fishers are reminded that an investment warning is in place for all Queensland fisheries.
   Each ITQ unit would entitle the holder to take a share of the TACC in the relevant management
   area. The annual ITQ unit administration fee for inshore species would be approximately $0.1965
   per unit.
   The TACC and quota-managed fishing would commence on 1 March 2020. The first year would be
   a 10-month fishing season and be based on an annual calendar year of fishing after that. The
   TACC would be adjusted over time through a harvest strategy.
21. Establish total allowable commercial catch (TACC) limits for tier 2 inshore species in the
    East Coast Inshore Fishery.
    It is proposed that sea mullet (MA6 only), shark (including hammerhead shark), ray, yellowfin
    bream (MA6 only), flathead (MA6 only), tailor, spotted mackerel and black jewfish would be
    managed through a competitive TACC. While these would not be individually allocated (like ITQ
    species), standardised quota/TACC reporting would apply. The TACCs would be adjusted over
    time through a harvest strategy.
22. Establish best management practice accreditation of commercial fishing operators.
    It is proposed to establish a regulatory system for accrediting ‘best management practice’
    programs for commercial netting in Queensland. It would take time to develop a program, but it is
    proposed that this would be reflected in the Fisheries Regulation for future implementation.
23. Introduce individual fisher accountability for protected species interactions.
    It is proposed to establish a limit of one to two mortalities per year across dolphin, sawfish (except
    narrow sawfish) and dugong. After the first incident, a fisher could not return fishing without being
    an accredited best management practice fisher or undertaking specific training. If a second incident
    occurred, a fisher would be restricted in the use of netting apparatus (e.g. a reduced length of net
    of 200 m). If a third incident occurred, a fisher would not be permitted to use netting apparatus for a
    specified period, but could continue other forms (e.g. line fishing, if they hold a relevant symbol).
24. Permit the commercial use of lift nets under the N11 symbol.
    It is proposed that fishers with an N11 fishery symbol be allowed to use lift nets, to allow fishers to
    target species such as yellow tail scad more effectively.




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