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

sustainably or to the standards expected by the community. A number of our fish stocks are also
considered depleted or overfished according to the national Status of Australian Fish Stocks (snapper,
pearl perch and scallops) and action is needed to recover these stocks.
There are also ongoing concerns about fishing impacts on protected species (e.g. turtles, dugong,
dolphins and other protected fish) and bycatch. Without reform, it will be increasingly difficult to
demonstrate sustainability and that fishing is a low risk to iconic species, particularly in the Great
Barrier Reef.

Proposed regulatory amendments
The proposed amendments focus on the following key areas:

                  1. Implementing the fisheries reforms—essential for long-term
                     sustainability and profitability


                  2. Urgent sustainability actions—taking the pressure off snapper and
                     pearl perch



                  3. Standardising fishing rules and supporting compliance



                  4. Reducing red tape and removing unnecessary restrictions



Summary of key proposed changes for all sectors
   Increase the king threadfin minimum size limit from 60 cm to 65 cm.
   Introduce a seasonal closure for snapper and pearl perch in July each year.
   Increase the pearl perch minimum size limit from 35 cm to 38 cm.

Summary of key proposed changes for commercial fishers
   Divide the trawl, crab and east coast inshore fisheries into smaller management units based on
    management of key species.
   Set sustainable catch limits for crab, east coast inshore, trawl, snapper and pearl perch.
   Establish criteria for allocating quota and effort units.
   Introduce a requirement to hold a commercial fishing licence and symbol to hold quota for east
    coast inshore and mud and blue swimmer crab fisheries.
   Introduce a minimum quota holding for mud and blue swimmer crab.
   Introduce tagging of commercially caught mud crabs.
   Establish a requirement and process for adding approved bycatch reduction devices.
   Establish a framework for individual accountability for protected species mortalities and escalation
    process.


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