The Danish seine fishery is a small component of the commercial scalefish fishery that operates predominantly along the south-east and north-east coasts, targeting flathead and whiting.
The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, said that licence holders considering further investment in the fishery are advised that there will be a review of the management arrangements for the Danish seine fishery.
“All management arrangements for the Danish seine fishery will be reviewed. Licence holders are advised that changes to the current access arrangements may be implemented as a result,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“If changes are made, historical ‘catch and effort’ information may be used to allocate levels of ongoing access rights among eligible licence holders.”
Catch and effort information recorded and submitted to the Department of Primary Industries and Water in the Scalefish Fishing Record Book after 1 March 2009 may not be considered in the event that such an allocation results from this review.
Furthermore, any investments made in fishing equipment after 1 March 2009 may not be considered if prior investment is used to determine future access.
“This review is not being driven by stock sustainability concerns,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“It is about delivering on sustainability objectives more efficiently and providing greater certainty for licence holders. The review will investigate alternative ways to manage catch and effort, including finer scale spatial management. It also will review the transferability restrictions of licences.”
Mr Llewellyn emphasised that the warning did not pre-empt any future management measures and that all options for the management of the fishery will be considered.
The review will be undertaken as a separate process to the current Scalefish Review. Licence holders, peak bodies and other key stakeholders are being advised of the review process.
