The Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Advisory Committee (MSFMAC), a new commercial fishing advisory group, will help guide the management of South Australia’s most prominent shared fishery, with expressions of interest open now.
The MSFMAC will replace the Snapper Management Advisory Committee formed in October 2019, to consider pressing fisheries management issues.
The formation of the new advisory is an important step in the historic $24.5 million Marine Scalefish Fishery reform program, according to minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham.
“Our commercial fishing reforms are about strengthening the long-term financial and ecological sustainability of the industry and supporting regional jobs,” Basham said.
“A range of key reform changes, including the establishment of four fishing zones across the state, the adoption of a quota system for the priority species of snapper, King George whiting, southern garfish and southern calamari and a suite of measures to cut red tape, came into effect on 1 July.
“The establishment of the MSFMAC is another key reform with the committee to provide advice on the management of the commercial, charter boat and recreational sectors of the Marine Scalefish Fishery,” he said.
“The formation of the MSFMAC is key to the future management of the fishery and will strengthen our consultation between stakeholders and help deliver better outcomes for marine scalefish species.”
Expressions of interest for roles in the MSFMAC are now open and closes at 9am on Monday 2 August, Basham said.
“The state government is now seeking expressions of interest for the positions of independent chair, economist and scientist, along with nominations from the commercial charter boat, rock lobster and marine scalefish fishing sectors, an Aboriginal traditional fishing sector member as well as the conservation sector,” he said.
“These will be three-year appointments to help the MSFMAC support commercial, and recreational fishers working together for the future of the fishery.”
The South Australian government will also ask the Minister’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Council (MRFAC) to nominate two recreational fishing representatives for membership on the MSFMAC.
The committee will include:
- Independent Chair
- Independent economist with expertise related to fisheries management
- Independent fisheries scientist
- Independent conservation member
- Two representatives of the recreational fishing sector
- Representative of the Charter Boat Fishery
- Two representatives of the Marine Scalefish Fishery
- Representative of the rock lobster industry
- An Aboriginal traditional fishing sector member
- PIRSA fisheries management expert
- SARDI fisheries science expert
For more information or to apply for these positions, visit pir.sa.gov.au/msfmac.