Sea cucumber fishery working group
This working group provides operational advice on the management of the east coast sea cucumber fishery.
Meetings
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13 March 2018
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the first time in Cairns on 13 March 2018.
The working group was provided an overview of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy). The members discussed the key policy objectives and how the working groups input will be used to inform the future management of the Sea Cucumber fishery.
Fisheries Queensland provided an outline of the current status of the fishery. The working group provided minor changes but otherwise agreed that the information provided was correct. The working group noted that the fishery is considered well managed and sustainable in accordance with the Status of Australian Fish Stocks process.
Fisheries Queensland provided information on the Monitoring and Research Plan and Social and Economic Monitoring, which outlines where the initial investment in monitoring and data under the Strategy will be focused. Working group members highlighted the need to maintain confidentiality of data for fisheries with limited numbers of licence holders. It was noted that the majority of assessment and monitoring undertaken for this fishery has been funded by industry. It was identified that improved monitoring and research through the use of technology would be considered an advantage for this fishery and would support the development of harvest strategies.
The working group discussed the Queensland Harvest Strategy Policy and Queensland Harvest Strategy Guidelines. The members noted that a harvest strategy would provide more certainty by outlining predetermined management actions based on agreed indicators for fishery performance. The working group noted the establishment by industry of the rotational zoning plan provides a sound basis for developing a harvest strategy for this fishery. As part of the process further consultation with broader fishery stakeholders will be undertaken.
The working group members discussed issues in the Sea Cucumber fishery. Members noted the need to overview current historical input and output controls and the need to highlight Wildlife Trade Operations requirements within the harvest strategy. Working group members agreed on the need to formalise the existing industry driven rotational zoning plan for the operation of the Sea Cucumber fishery into the Harvest Strategy and Fisheries legislation.
The working group noted that commercial harvest boats would require vessel tracking by the end of 2020 and was shown an example vessel tracking unit. The members identified that all operators currently use vessel tracking in this fishery.
To start the harvest strategy process, the working group was asked to identify key fishery objectives to set out the direction and aspirations for the fishery. The following draft objectives were recommended by the working group to:
- ensure sustainability for target species
- minimise risk of localised depletion
- demonstrate there is no unacceptable risk to sustainability and ecosystem resilience
- achieve long term wildlife trade operations accreditation
- third party fishery accreditation
- maximise value of commercial product
- maintain Stewardship across industry
- recognise the social benefits of the fishery to the community
- ensure fisheries management is meeting the expectations of community
- improve data to support better management decisions
- manage fishing effort to improve social-economic benefit and minimise the risk of overfishing
- reduce complexity of fishing rules.
The members discussed management review options that would enable the fishery to be managed to achieve these objectives. The working group agreed that a review of all licence conditions and Queensland legislation is necessary, with a specific focus on which input and output controls are still relevant for the fishery. Working group members agreed that verification of the current industry adopted trigger reference points for certain sea cucumber species remains valid. A strong focus on aligning harvest fishery quota management with other commercial fisheries was considered to be of benefit into the future.
The working group discussed industries previous application to increase the total allowable catch of black teatfish. The working group members agreed to request a review of the stock assessment report by the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel and advice on increasing the total allowable catch under a precautionary approach included within the development of a harvest strategy for this fishery.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps that need to be taken for transitioning the Sea Cucumber fishery to a harvest strategy framework.
The next working group meeting is scheduled for late June to refine the objectives, management review options and starting to develop the operational components of a harvest strategy. Fisheries Queensland will be seeking the views of all stakeholders throughout the process.
Members:
- Fisheries Queensland (Chair-Kimberly Foster)
- commercial fishing (Chauncey Hammond, Rob Lowden)
- Rhys Bennett (apology)
- Ben Cochrane (apology)
- science (Timothy Skewes)
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
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26-27 June 2018
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the second time in Cairns on the 26 and 27 of June.
The working group accepted the previous meeting minutes and noted progress of the meeting action items. An update of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy) was provided. Fisheries Queensland also updated the working group on an emerging CITES assessment of some sea cucumber species. Parks Australia attended the meeting to discuss implementation of the Coral Sea Marine Park and answer questions in relation to harvest fisher’s access.
Fisheries Queensland provided a report on consultation feedback received on the proposed Fisheries Act amendments discussion paper. The working group was advised how the legislation review will line up with the management review of the Sea Cucumber Fishery, which is currently out for consultation through the harvest discussion paper, and operationalising the harvest strategy.
The working group noted the fishery management objectives developed at the previous meeting were endorsed out of session. The working group also noted the objectives will be refined as the harvest strategy is developed.
Working group members noted the release of the harvest fisheries discussion paper based on initial feedback from the three harvest fishery working groups earlier in 2018. Members provided comments on key issues such as aligning commercial harvest fishing licences with commercial boat fishing licences, standardising quota management across all harvest fisheries, simplifying input control rules and identified the need to align recreational possession limits for sea cucumber with the harvest strategy. Industry have agreed to provide Fisheries Queensland with a formal submission in response to the discussion paper.
The working group discussed various harvest strategy models and agreed to build on the existing information in the Performance Measurement System and industry-updated memorandum of understanding which would provide a starting point for appropriate indicators, reference points, triggers and decision rules to be included in the harvest strategy.
The working group identified a tiered approach would be appropriate to manage the different sea cucumber species within the fishery using a range of historical catch, assessment information where available and industry information. Possible knowledge gaps, along with monitoring and research needs were also identified through this process. Members agreed that more information would likely be required to use catch based indicators but were keen to investigate options further. To support this work, Industry has agreed to obtain information on a tiered approach to assessments to support the harvest strategy and have industry information independently reviewed. The working group agreed that two key monitoring and research priorities are to investigate innovative survey monitoring of sea cucumber abundance and assessing the stock status of white teatfish.
The working group noted that industries current application to increase the total allowable catch of black teatfish is scheduled to be reviewed by the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel in July 2018.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps that need to be taken for transitioning the Sea Cucumber fishery to a harvest strategy framework. Industry has agreed to provide some additional data review out of session to support the harvest strategy development and Fisheries Queensland will build an initial draft out of session.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for November.
Members:
- Fisheries Queensland (Chair-Kimberly Foster)
- commercial fishing (Chauncey Hammond, Rob Lowden, Rhys Bennett, Ben Cochrane - apology)
- science (Timothy Skewes)
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
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6 December 2018
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the third time in Cairns on 6 December.
The working group accepted the previous meeting minutes and noted the progress of the meeting action items. An update of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy) was provided, including a summary of the Year 1 progress report.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the socio-economic data collection project as part of the Strategy and discussed a shortlist of social and economic indicator groups that might be applicable to the Sea Cucumber Fishery. Working group members noted a tender will be released later this year to complete the work required in 2019.
The working group reviewed the draft harvest strategy and further developed performance indicators, reference points and decision rules for each of the operational management objectives. Members discussed different harvest strategy options and is looking into an assessment based harvest strategy to manage the harvest of sea cucumber. Further work is required to refine the reference points, targets and assessment needs for the harvest strategy to be ready for the 2019/2020 quota season.
Fisheries Queensland is looking at options to allow precautionary access to black teatfish stocks for the upcoming quota season, based on advice from the Expert Panel that stocks had recovered to a state where sustainable levels of fishing pressure could cautiously be applied.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps needed to finalise the harvest strategy for the Sea Cucumber fishery, ready for public consultation in 2019.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for March/April.
The Sea Cucumber Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Kimberly Foster), commercial fishing (Chauncey Hammond, Rob Lowden, Rhys Bennett (apology), Ben Cochrane, science (Timothy Skewes) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
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18 September 2019
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the fourth time in Cairns on the 18 September 2019.
The working group accepted the previous meeting minutes and noted the progress of the meeting action items.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the regulatory changes that commenced on 1 September 2019. The working group welcomed the changes to make white teatfish a no take species for non-commercial fishers and the new boat limits to better manage black marketing of sea cucumber species. Working group members noted that a number of proposals outlined in the discussion paper are still being considered and further regulatory amendments are expected before the end of 2019. This would include reviewing the administration framework (licensing, quota certificates and management arrangements) for this fishery to support the harvest strategy.
The working group reviewed the draft harvest strategy and further developed reference points and decision rules for each of the operational management objectives. Members agreed that three tiers of management would be appropriate (Tier 1 for black and white teatfish, Tier 2 for Burrowing Blackfish and Tier 3 for remaining species). Further work is required to refine the reference points, targets and decision rules as well as implement the recommendations from the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel. The working group agreed to finalise these components out of session ahead of expected consultation later in 2019.
Fisheries Queensland and Industry members agreed to progress a scope of works for developing a suitable modelled assessment of white teatfish, black teatfish and burrowing blackfish out of session. The working group noted that it would be ideal to have a suitable modelling solution available for when the harvest strategy commences for the 2020 fishing season. To support management of burrowing blackfish and simplifying harvest rules, Industry agreed to work with Fisheries Queensland to investigate whether it was possible to establish separate species-specific quota management.
Industry provided an update on an upcoming burrowing blackfish survey that will be conducted in October, weather permitting. The survey will be carried out by divers using traditional transects that will be compared to ROV-based surveying concurrently. Subject to results, Industry is looking to move to more innovative and cost-effective survey methods.
The working group noted the listing of white teatfish and black teatfish in Appendix 2 of CITES. Fisheries Queensland will work with Industry to understand what may be required of the fishery.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps needed to finalise the harvest strategy for the Sea Cucumber fishery, ready for finalisation in 2020.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for March/April 2020.
The Sea Cucumber Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Kimberly Foster), commercial fishing (Chauncey Hammond, Rob Lowden, Rhys Bennett (apology), Ben Cochrane, science (Timothy Skewes) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
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23 August 2021
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the fifth time via videoconference on 23 August 2021.
The working group accepted the previous meeting minutes and noted the progress of the meeting action items.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the regulatory changes that were announced in September 2020 and will commence by 1 September 2021. The working group noted that these include reforming the administration framework (licensing, quota certificates and management arrangements and reporting) to ensure consistency with other quota managed fisheries. The working group further noted the publication of a finalised sea cucumber harvest strategy, which was updated with feedback received during consultation.
Industry noted that the current fishing season is the third year under the rotational zoning strategy and a new initiative is to allocate fishers to specific zones with specific species quota, so they are responsible for fishing the same zones every third year for additional stewardship.
Industry has contracted to seek MSC accreditation for four units of assessment (black teatfish, white teatfish, curryfish and burrowing blackfish). It is anticipated that this will take approximately 12 months. An environmental risk assessment will be one of the requirements. DAF will be involved in this process.
Industry also advised that market demand had reduced slightly due to COVID in the last couple of years although prices have remained relatively stable.
AFMA advised that the Torres Strait beche-de-mer fishery is operating for the second year under a harvest strategy. While most aspects of the new harvest strategy have been implemented, the 2022 fishing season will be the first application of the harvest strategy decision rules to set total allowable catches (TAC). A trial reopening of fishing for black teatfish commenced on 30 April 2021 with a 20 tonne competitive total allowable catch (TAC) and lasted for 4 days.
GBRMPA noted that black teatfish has been used as a case study for resilience in the last three versions of the GBR Outlook Report (2009, 2014 and 2019). The fourth report will be published in 2024. The working group will continue to be updated on progress.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the current status of the Commonwealth Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) approval, which was issued subject to numerous conditions until 30 September 2021. The working group noted that Fisheries Queensland has applied for a new WTO approval. This application is currently out for public consultation and some working group members have already provided submissions. Fisheries Queensland will continue to work closely with industry to consider any new developments. Industry meetings will be scheduled for mid September to discuss further.
The working group were updated with the 2020 status of Australian fish stocks report, in which white teatfish and burrowing blackfish were assessed as ‘sustainable’. There is scope for adding additional species in the future.
Fisheries Queensland provided an outline of an ecological risk assessment (ERA) for the fishery. Despite assessing the situation prior to a harvest strategy or stock assessment being in place, the risk in the fishery is considered to be managed and Fisheries Queensland is not recommending the ERA be progressed to a level 2. The ERA will be a potentially important communication tool that formally documents the minimal impact of the fishery. Fisheries Queensland undertook to share the ERA with the working group as soon as it was finalised.
The working group noted that good progress has been made by the industry-funded research team Fishwell Consulting in completing black teatfish surveys and white teatfish feasibility studies, with lead scientist Ian Knuckey included in the DAF stock assessment team. The working group also noted that a GIS layer has been prepared for the rotational zoning scheme, allowing the effect of the rotational zoning scheme to be incorporated into quantitative models.
The working group were updated with preliminary results of the white teatfish stock assessment, based on a combination of fishing data and previous research, and the black teatfish stock assessment, which is informed by the recent black teatfish survey, fishing data (complicated by a long period closed to fishing), and previous research. Model inputs and assumptions were the subject of considerable discussion and the stock assessment team agreed to conduct additional investigations as a result of the working group feedback. The working group noted that the stock assessment models will continue to be refined once the deadlines for the WTO conditions have been met.
Fisheries Queensland advised the working group of a related research project funded through GBR Foundation, which has developed a project proposal for a three year monitoring program of sea cucumber in the Great Barrier Reef. This is expected to inform management needs for multiple agencies. Industry members emphasised that their focus is on sound, reliable data, and suggested research scientist Ian Knuckey be included as part of the project’s technical advisory group. DAF will likely be represented on the project’s steering committee and will act as liaison with industry. A presentation from the research team will be sought for the next working group meeting.
The working group heard a presentation on the social and economic data project being undertaken by BDO EconSearch for Fisheries Queensland. Currently there is no separate report for sea cucumber due to the difficulty in de-identifying individuals when there are low numbers of participants. However, the data team are hopeful that confidentiality can be managed so that participation increases.
Fisheries Queensland provided details of the new reporting requirements that will commence on 1 September 2021, the various fact sheets and contacts to support industry through these changes, and the development of the commercial fishing app. Clarification about the weight and catch disposal notice requirements, given the operational procedures in the industry, will be the subject of a separate meeting.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 2021 in order to discuss the results of the WTO application and the implications for industry going forward.
The Sea Cucumber Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair - Michael Mikitis), commercial fishing (Rob Lowden, Chauncey Hammond, Ben Cochrane (apology), science (Nicole Murphy, CSIRO) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Jessica Stella).
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24 May 2023
The Sea Cucumber Fishery working group met for the sixth time on 24 May 2023 in Cairns.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on progress for the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy: 2017-2027. The working group also noted that compliance was high for the fishery. Working group members appreciated the time spent at the broader whole of industry meeting held on 23 May 2023 and will consider ways to integrate future working group meetings with broader industry meetings.
Representatives of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water attended as observers and provided valuable input into the meeting with regard to wildlife trade operation (WTO) conditions and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including the listing of black teatfish, white teatfish and prickly redfish.
Industry provided an update on the significant in-kind and financial support they have provided to meet ongoing WTO conditions and biological scientific gaps over the last two years. Costs already incurred by industry and committed (including in-kind) to meet the current WTO conditions is close to $3.3 million. Industry expressed that this level of financial support could not be viably sustained in the long term. Fisheries Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water acknowledged the considerable investment and stewardship that industry shown to demonstrate Queensland’s sea cucumber fishery is sustainable and is making progress towards meeting its international obligations.
Researchers from Macquarie University and Fishwell Consulting presented information and results on the research underway for the fishery. The working group were impressed with the amount of research being undertaking and the collaboration and relevance of the research to ensuring the sustainability of the fishery. The use of drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) is a cost effective and safe method to augment or replace diver-based observation and survey methodology. Industry has agreed to fund a project for the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning to help with future surveys and provide improved broader ecological information.
Fisheries Queensland and industry members discussed general progress on the requirements under the WTO conditions, planned stock assessments and future surveys. Members noted the timeframes for the upcoming stock assessments for prickly redfish, curryfish and burrowing blackfish, and appreciated the collaboration between Fisheries Queensland and industry and the positive co-management of the fishery that is occurring.
The working group supported a number of minor changes to the boundaries of rotational zones to ensure easier compliance and reporting, these will now be considered and formalised by Fisheries Queensland. Fisheries Queensland to write to DCCEEW with details of the changes to be implemented from 1 July 2023.
The working group supported the report – A review of size limits for the Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) be finalised and made available on the DAF webpage (subject to some minor edits relating to the Torres Strait sea cucumber fishery).
The working group noted that there was some work required to review and formalise the fisheries licensing conditions and legislative framework. Members supported the development of a public facing document highlighting the key research and monitoring activities and investments occurring over the next three years.
The Sea Cucumber Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Sian Breen, Jenny Keys, Michelle Williams, Alex Campbell), QBFP (Tony Loader) commercial fishing (Chauncey Hammond, Rob Lowden (apology), Ben Cochrane (apology), science (Nicole Murphy, CSIRO, apology) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Cadie Artuso, proxy for Jessica Stella), Australian Fisheries Management Authority (Natalie Couchman).
Observers: Commercial fishing (Anton Krsinich), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Adam Sincock, Josh Davis), science (Matt Koopman, Fishwell, Jane Williamson and Vincent Raoult, Macquarie University) Fisheries Queensland Expert Panel (Ian Tibbetts and Natalie Stoeckl).
Terms of reference
The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring fisheries resources are managed in a sustainable and responsible manner that recognises the interests of all Queenslanders. An important part of fisheries management is stakeholder engagement through working groups.
Working groups provide advice within the scope of this terms of reference, which is considered alongside advice, information and requirements from Fisheries Queensland, the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel and other government agencies, as well as feedback from public consultation. Collectively, this informs decisions on the management of our fisheries.
The east coast sea cucumber fishery is a hand collection harvest fishery, operating within a defined area from Cape York to the southern limit of Tin Can Bay. The main target species are burrowing blackfish, white teatfish and black teatfish; however, other species are taken such as blackfish, sandfish, prickly redfish and curryfish.
Commercial harvesting occurs via hand using scuba or surface-supplied air from hookah, or to a lesser extent by free-diving. Recreational sea cucumber collection is not permitted south of Bowen on the east coast or within the Gulf of Carpentaria. White teatfish and black teatfish are also no-take recreational species. This fishery is predominately commercial and provides an important high value export products.
This fishery is limited entry and 18 commercial harvest licences are currently endorsed. A total allowable commercial catch exists for the entire fishery, which is broken up into individual transferrable quotas. Additional management arrangements include species-based catch limits, limited number of boats and divers operating under a licence at any one time, and the voluntary effort restriction applied via rotational zones that limit access via an industry memorandum of understanding. Compulsory catch reporting arrangements and vessel tracking systems are also in place.
Purpose of the working group
The working group will provide advice on the operational aspects of the management of the sea cucumber fishery.
Objectives
- To assist with implementation of a sea cucumber fishery harvest strategy, including advice on management options and fishing rules, consistent with the Queensland harvest strategy policy and the Fisheries Act 1994.
- To provide general advice to Fisheries Queensland on any operational matters, emerging issues and general management of Queensland’s sea cucumber fishery.
Working group roles
The role of working group members is to:
- provide operational advice to Fisheries Queensland on particular fisheries and fishing methods
- assist with the implementation of harvest strategies
- consider information and provide advice on fishery performance (e.g. catch rates, fishing power)
- provide advice on emerging issues (e.g. compliance, data, legislation, research), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES) requirements and meeting Wildlife Trade Operation approval conditions under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- disseminate factual information back to a broad range of other stakeholders in the fishery and provide other stakeholders’ feedback to the working group for discussion.
The role of Fisheries Queensland is to:
- provide direction for working groups in the form of a work program
- arrange meeting times and provide logistical support for meetings
- prepare and distribute meeting materials to support the effective operation of the working group
- provide information and data to support the work of the working group
- provide a point of communication between the working group, other working groups and the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel in accordance with each terms of reference
- maintain communication with the working group members at least every three months.
Obligations and responsibilities of members
Being a working group member has important obligations and responsibilities. In accepting the appointment, members must be prepared to:
- contribute knowledge of, and experience in, Queensland’s fisheries
- consult with stakeholder peers through port-level or regional associations and networks, representative bodies and other avenues as necessary to ensure as many stakeholder views as possible are considered as part of working group discussions – members will be asked to report on broader views, not just their view as a member, including how the feedback was gathered and who it represents
- constructively participate in discussions to achieve acceptable outcomes
- respect the views expressed by other members
- act in the best interests of the fishery as a whole, rather than as an advocate for any particular individual, organisation, interest group or regional interest
- avoid pursuing personal agendas or self-interest, and participate in discussion in an objective and impartial manner
- promptly advise the Chair in writing (or announce at the start of a meeting) of any conflict-of-interest issues that arise, including those that may be perceived by others or have the potential be a conflict, subsequent to appointment
- conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the Queensland community’s expectations for reasonable conduct at all times – this requires a commitment to honest, fair and respectful engagement, including showing respect towards all persons involved in working group business.
Unreasonable behaviour will not be accepted. An appointed member may be removed from a meeting or in the case of serious and/or repetitive conduct removed from a working group if their conduct is contrary to the role, obligations or responsibilities as a working group member.
In either circumstance, the appointed Chair will provide a verbal warning if unreasonable behaviour is displayed at a meeting. Following this, the Chair has discretion to remove a person from the meeting. A record should be made in the meeting notes. If the unreasonable behaviour is displayed at a number of meetings and/or associated with working group business outside a meeting, the appointed Chair will write to the member to provide an opportunity to remedy the behaviour. If there is no change in behaviour or remedy, the Chair will refer the matter to the Executive Director, Fisheries Queensland, for formal review of the member’s membership.
Unreasonable behaviour includes abusive, threatening and other behaviours that may also become ‘unreasonable’ when, because of its nature or frequency it raises health, safety, resource or equity issues for those participating in the working group or others engaging with working group business.
Abusive behaviour is defined as directed at the individual, including foul, racist, sexist or demeaning language. Aggressive behaviour includes angry outbursts, which although not directly or explicitly threatening, are in an intimidating tone and intensity. Threatening behaviour is specific or explicit statements that a reasonable person would interpret as a real and serious communication of an intent to inflict harm on the person receiving the call or another person, or employees of the organisation in general, or to inflict damage or take other hostile action against departmental or meeting location property.
Other actions or behaviours which may, depending on the circumstances, be considered unreasonable conduct include unrelenting/repetitive contact (excessive contact, refusing to accept an outcome, lodging the same claim over again), demanding conduct (demanding a different outcome, demanding impossible, impractical disproportionate outcomes), unreasonable lack of cooperation (withholding or providing incomplete information, intentionally providing overwhelming volumes of information) and unreasonable arguments (argumentative or irrational conduct, conspiracy allegations, making vexatious complaints).
Meeting administration
The operation of the working group will consist of regular meetings via online meeting platforms (i.e. Microsoft Teams) or in person where resources allow.
Fisheries Queensland will prepare the agenda, including an opportunity at the start of each meeting for members to raise concerns, and supporting documents 14 days ahead of each meeting. Review of these documents will be required prior to the meeting in order to participate effectively.
The appointed Chair will manage the meeting according to the agenda, review status of action items from previous meetings, ensure a summary and actions for each agenda item are recorded and a communique for the meeting is prepared. The Chair will also address any conflicts of interest and manage the conduct of all members and observers present at the meeting.
Fisheries Queensland will publish the communique online within three days of the meeting and notify other stakeholders of its publication. Within 14 days of the meeting, Fisheries Queensland will prepare meeting notes and circulate them to members, allowing 14 days for member comments before being finalised. Where required, action items will be followed up by Fisheries Queensland to seek to resolve them and any operational issues tabled by the working group ahead of the following meeting.
Sensitive information and non-disclosure
Some information that is sensitive in nature is provided to working group members to enable them to provide the best advice to Fisheries Queensland on the specific fishery. Given this, members may be asked to:
- exercise tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues – if a member is unsure or concerned about the disclosure to non-members, the member must seek advice from the Chair
- act honestly and exercise care and diligence in the discharge of their duties at all times and not make improper use of working group information – improper use would be if a member gains an advantage either directly or indirectly (financial or otherwise) over another person or causes detriment to the working group’s work or to another person
- not publish or communicate to any person, that they are not authorised to publish or communicate, any information that comes to their knowledge or possession because they are a member of the working group.
If sensitive information is used as part of a working group meeting, Fisheries Queensland will advise working group members to help them comply with these requirements.
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when private interests interfere, or appear to interfere, with the performance of official duties. All members must perform their role/contribute in a fair and unbiased way, ensuring that decisions made are not impacted by self-interest, private affiliations, or the likelihood of gain or loss for them or others. Private interests include personal, professional or business interests, as well as the interests of individuals that you associate with, such as family, dependants and friends.
Conflicts of interest fall into three categories – actual (there is a direct conflict between your current duties and your existing private interests), potential (your role and private interests could conflict in the future) and perceived (it could appear that your private interests could improperly influence the performance of your role). Conflicts of interest can be pecuniary (if there is a reasonable likelihood of financial loss or gain) or non-pecuniary (if there is no financial component, but may involve self-interest, personal or family relationships or other affiliations).
All conflicts of interest (actual, potential and perceived) must first be identified and declared to the Chair. Steps can then be taken to appropriately manage and resolve the matter in the public interest. Having a conflict of interest alone is not considered misconduct. However, it is important that members are open about the conflict of interest, how the conflict of interest is managed and ensuring a conflict of interest is resolved in the public interest. Once reported, the Chair will then make an assessment about what action, if any, is required to manage the conflict of interest. Members must actively participate in the process to manage or resolve conflicts of interest in the public interest and adhere to all agreed resolution strategies. If the circumstances of a member change, they should consider whether this brings about any new conflicts of interest, or changes to an existing conflict of interest.
Sitting fees
Participation on the working group is on a voluntary basis – no sitting fees will be paid.
Travel costs
Members are eligible to be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including domestic travel and accommodation costs.
Membership
Fisheries Queensland appoints members to working groups. Unless notified and agreed, membership will be refreshed every 2 years to allow for rotation of different representatives and development of new industry leaders.
| Name | Representative | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Kind | Chair | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| Jenny Keys | Senior Fishery Manager | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| Evan Barnes | Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| Jessica Stella | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | Environment |
| Ben Cochrane | Commercial fisher (diver) | Harvest |
| Chauncey Hammond | Commercial fishing organisation | Harvest |
| Anton Krsinich | Commercial fishing organisation | Harvest |
| Quentin Hirakawa | Indigenous representative | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities |
| Rob Lowden | Seafood processor or wholesaler | Post-harvest |
| Tahlia White | Recreational fisher | Recreational fisher |
| Jane Williamson | External researcher or scientist | Research/science |
| Nicole Murphy | External researcher or scientist (CSIRO) | Research/science |
| Matt Koopman | External researcher or scientist | Research/science |
| TBA | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Observers |