Spanner crab fishery working group - Terms of reference

Background

The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring fisheries resources are managed in a sustainable and responsible manner that recognises the interests of all Queenslanders. A key action of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is to improved stakeholder engagement that is fishery-specific.

The Queensland Spanner Crab Fishery is a single species fishery which extends across all Queensland waters and consists of two separate management areas (A & B) divided north and south by latitude 23 degrees south (near Yeppoon). Most of the catch from the fishery occurs within southern component of the fishery (Management Area A) where the fishery is managed using individual transferable quota units (ITQs). It has become apparent that the scientific method that informs the annual Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) of spanner crabs requires review. In review of the decision rules, Fisheries Queensland are also developing a harvest strategy in line with the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy which will evaluate the future management of the fishery.

Purpose of the workshop

Participants at the spanner crab workshop (May 2018) will provide advice on the development of a harvest strategy, and will oversee the review of the existing decision rules. Biennial quota recommendations will continue to be considered at the industry-wide forum, as has been the case to date.

Objectives

1. To assist with the development of a harvest strategy for the Spanner Crab Fishery by the end of 2018, consistent with the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.
2. Review the decision rules for determining the spanner crab quota, for incorporation into the harvest strategy.

Role

The role of workshop participants to:

• Provide operational advice to Fisheries Queensland on particular fisheries and fishing methods.
• Assist with the development and implementation of harvest strategies.
• Consider information and provide advice on fishery performance (e.g. catch rates, fishing power).
• Provide advice on management actions or reforms needed to achieve the established management objectives for the fishery.
• Assist with identifying ways to best manage broader ecosystem impacts of fishing.
• Provide advice on emerging issues (e.g. compliance, data, legislation, research).
• Assist with disseminating factual information back to other stakeholders in the fishery.The role of Fisheries Queensland will be to:
• Arrange meeting times and provide logistical support for meetings.
• Distribute meeting materials to support the effective operation of the workshop.
• Provide information and data to support the work of the workshop.

Linkage with the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel (Expert Panel):

• As management options and harvest strategies are developed, this work will be reviewed by the Expert Panel.

Obligations and responsibilities of participants

Being a workshop participant will have important obligations and responsibilities. In registering your interest in participating in the workshop, participants must be prepared to:

1.    Constructively participate in discussions to achieve acceptable outcomes.

2.    Respect the views expressed by other participants.

3.    Act in the best interests of fishery as a whole, rather than as an advocate for any particular individual, organisation, interest group or regional interest.

4.    Avoid pursuing personal agendas or self-interest, and participate in discussion in an objective and impartial manner.

Confidentiality and non-disclosure

Some information that is sensitive in nature is provided to workshop participants to enable them to provide the best advice to Fisheries Queensland on the specific fishery. Given this, participants are also asked to:

• Observe confidentiality and exercise tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues. If a participant is unsure or concerned about the disclosure to non-participants, the participant should seek advice from the Chair.
• At all times act honestly, exercise care and diligence in the discharge of their duties and not make improper use of workshop information. Improper use would be where a participant gains an advantage either directly or indirectly (financial or otherwise) over another person or causes detriment to the workshop’s work or to another person.
• Not publish or communicate to any person, who they are not authorised to publish or communicate to, any information that comes to their knowledge or possession because they are a participant of the workshop.

Sitting fees

Participation on the workshop will be on a voluntary basis. No sitting fees will be paid.

Meetings and Travel costs

Participants are eligible to be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses including domestic travel and accommodation costs.