Tropical rock lobster fishery working group
This working group provides operational advice on the management of the east coast tropical rock lobster fishery.
Meetings
-
26 March 2018
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery Working Group met for the first time in Cairns on 26 March.
The working group was provided an overview of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy). The members discussed the key policy objectives and how their input will be used to shape the future management of the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery.
Fisheries Queensland provided an outline of the current status of the fishery. The working group discussed the value of this fishery, its relationship with the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster fishery and the importance of sustainably fishing to market conditions. It was noted that this fishery has a specific allocation for indigenous commercial fishing. The working group noted that the fishery is on a 10 year Wildlife Trade Operation approval, acknowledging it as a low risk, well managed hand collectable fishery. Recognising that this fishery operates in sensitive habitats in the remote far north, it was noted that industry developed dory-based collection practises, such as no or minimal anchoring, minimise potential for habitat damage.
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 discussed how social and economic data could be used to benefit the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery, particularly to improve community confidence in the management of the fishery. It was identified that there has been no scientific update since 2011. To remedy this situation as a start, a desktop exercise to review existing science, models and industry catch and size/length frequency data of both the Torres Strait and the East Coast is necessary. This information would also inform well-founded harvest strategy development.
The working group discussed the Queensland Harvest Strategy Policy and Guideline. The members noted that a harvest strategy would provide improved certainty by outlining predetermined management actions based on agreed indicators for fishery performance. Fisheries Queensland will assist the working group with developing the harvest strategies and will undertake consultation with broader fishery stakeholders as development progresses.
The working group members discussed current issues in the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery. Members noted the need to review historical input and output controls to reflect best practise for a quota managed fishery. Also identified was the need to simplify (inconsistent bag limits throughout the State) and modernise the management framework for this fishery to include a flexible Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC). Other issues of concern to the working group included logbook record quality, recreational fishing rules, and identifying scientific information gaps.
The working group noted that commercial fishing vessels would require vessel tracking by the end of 2020 and was shown an example vessel tracking unit. The members identified concerns around the polling frequency and potential impact on security of individual fisher (divers) data.
To initiate 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:
- maintain sustainability for target species
- ensure no unacceptable risk from fishing on sustainability and ecosystem resilience
- maximise commercial economic benefits
- maximise value of commercial product
- foster stewardship
- ensure fisheries management is meeting the expectations of community
- maintain access of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for traditional fishing
- improve data to better inform ;management decisions
- reduce complexity of fishing rules
- maintain access for recreational fishing
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. A strong focus on aligning this fishery with other commercial fisheries was considered to be of benefit into the future.
The working group concluded with a discussion around the next steps that need to be taken for transitioning the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery to a harvest strategy framework.
The next working group meeting is scheduled for July to refine the objectives and management review options. Fisheries Queensland will be seeking the views of all stakeholders throughout the process.
The Tropical Rock Lobster Working Group members are:
- Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Kimberly Foster),
- Commercial fishing (Mark Dean, Ean White, Brett Arlidge),
- Recreational fishing (Kim Andersen),
- Science (Clive Turnbull)
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens)
-
16-17 July 2018
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery working group met for the second time in Cairns on the 16 and 17 of July.
The working group accepted the previous meeting minutes and noted progress on the meeting action items. Fisheries Queensland provided an update of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy) and reported on feedback received on the proposed Fisheries Act amendments. The working group was updated on how the future legislation review will affect the Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery.
The working group noted the fishery management objectives developed at the previous meeting and endorsed out of session, noting the objectives will be refined as the harvest strategy is developed.
Working group members noted the release of the harvest fisheries discussion paper and provided comments on the key issues such as aligning commercial harvest fishing licences with commercial boat fishing licences, standardising quota management across all harvest fisheries and simplifying input control rules. Some key issues to work through are tender distance rules and providing a consistent recreational possession limit across all Queensland waters. The working group also discussed changes to the recreational fishing rules to allow the use of a loop which would reduce mortality of undersized and reproductive female lobster. Industry identified the importance of workplace health and safety requirements when reviewing fishing rules. Industry have agreed to provide Fisheries Queensland with a formal submission.
The working group reviewed the existing Performance Measurement System to inform appropriate indicators, reference points, triggers and decision rules for the development of the harvest strategy.
The working group identified an action plan to progress the development of the harvest strategy and address knowledge gaps and monitoring and assessment needs. Industry has agreed to invest in the analysis of catch, age and size data that is available to inform an assessment of the stock within the existing fishery area. This will also inform suitable harvest strategy indicators and reference points and to support moving to a dynamic total allowable commercial catch if possible.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps that need to be taken for transitioning the Tropical Rock Lobster 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 December.
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Kimberly Foster), commercial fishing (Mark Dean (apology), Ean White, Brett Arlidge), recreational fishing (Kim Andersen), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Kenny Bedford), science (Clive Turnbull) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
-
5 December 2018
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery working group met for the third time in Cairns on 5 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 Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery. Working group members noted a tender will be released later this year to complete the work required in 2019.
The working group noted work conducted by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to verify wet vs dry weight changes in landed lobster. Industry members agreed to maintain the current temporary quota conversion factor and work with Fisheries Queensland to further verify a permanent conversion factor.
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 three different harvest strategy options and decided to use an assessment based harvest strategy to regularly set the total allowable commercial catch. Further work is required to refine the reference points and targets for the harvest strategy to be ready for the 2020 quota season.
The working group identified that a longer term assessment of the full east coast lobster stock would be desirable along with understanding the impacts of climate change on the distribution of the stock.
The working group was concluded with a discussion around the next steps needed to finalise the harvest strategy for the Tropical Rock Lobster fishery, ready for public consultation in 2019.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for April.
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair- Kimberly Foster), commercial fishing (Mark Dean, Ean White and Brett Arlidge), recreational fishing (Kim Anderson) ASTI representative (Kenny Bedford (apology)), science (Clive Turnbull) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Randall Owens).
-
20 August 2021
The reappointed Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery working group met for the fifth time online on 20 August 2021.
The working group discussed the previous meetings actions items/ noted the progress of the meeting action items.
Fisheries Queensland provided a general update on the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy) and recent regulation changes that impact the fishery.
Members were invited to provide a general update from their respective sectors. Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) noted that catches are low in the Torres Strait fishery. The cause is currently unclear and will be considered at a future AFMA meeting. Commercial Industry members gave an update that the trade disruptions with China has had a significant impact on the TRL industry. The industry has now managed to find alternative markets, but pricing remains depressed. The recreational member noted that recreational fishers were concerned about making sure catch limits and rules were based on science. Many recreational fishers have ongoing concerns about current boat and possession limits and requested clarification about the rationale about some rules.
The working group noted the recently released harvest strategy and the current status of the Wildlife Trade Operations approval for the fishery which is in place until 28th August 2025. As part of future meetings, we will continue our understanding of the harvest strategy.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the upcoming stock assessment due for completion in early 2022. The initial stock assessment will apply to the commercial fishing area only. The working group are keen to expand the stock assessment for the whole of Queensland. As part of the stock assessment process, we will look at what recreational fishing data is available. AFMA and Fisheries Queensland have agreed to work together on the stock assessments, given TRL is a single biological population.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on compliance within the industry, noting good compliance generally.
Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the new standardised commercial fishing reporting requirements that will commence on 1 September 2021. Working group members asked questions regarding the reporting process, including pre-trip notices, logbook, prior reporting and weights notice completion timeframes, accurate weights and certified scales, and landing location requirements.
The working group noted an update on the new commercial fishing smartphone application (the app – QLD eCatch). The app will cover a range of fisheries and is designed to encompass the new reporting requirements. Fisheries Queensland will organise meetings with TRL fishers once released and ahead of the next fishing season to train and support user uptake.
Fisheries Queensland presented the methodology and outcomes from the BDO social and economic indicators report for commercial and charter fisheries, and noted that an interactive dashboard is available on the department’s website. The working group noted that BDO have been contracted to continue this project as well as work focused on providing comparable social and economic information from the recreational sector alongside the commercial and charter sectors. The working group was encouraged to contact BDO with any queries and to provide Fisheries Queensland with contacts of groups that may be interested in developing projects for social and economic values and opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The next working group meeting is tentatively scheduled for early December 2021.
The Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery Working Group members are: Fisheries Queensland (Chair – Mark Doohan (apology), Kimberly Foster, Samantha Miller, Jenny Keys, Tony Loader (QBFP)), commercial fishing (Brett Arlidge, Ean White, Steven Lloyd, science (Fay Helidoniotis, Fisheries Queensland), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Representative (Jacob Matysek) and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (Selina Stoute).
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.
Queensland’s tropical rock lobster fishery is a hand harvest fishery for both commercial and recreational fishers. The commercial fishery operates within a defined area north from Princess Charlotte Bay to the Torres Strait as well as tidal waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. These waters are referred to as northern rock lobster regulated waters and are closed to all take of tropical rock lobsters between October and December. Recreational harvesting also occurs across Queensland, with the majority of harvest in North Queensland where the stock is more prevalent.
The fishery is a limited entry commercial fishery, with 28 endorsed licences. Commercial fishers are also permitted to use scuba or surface-supplied air from hookah apparatus. Compulsory catch reporting arrangements and vessel tracking systems are also in place. The fishery is managed by a total allowable commercial catch with individual transferable quota. Additional effort limits are placed on fishers via a seasonal closure and a limit on the number of boats and collectors operating under a licence at any one time. This fishery provides an important export product for Queensland.
Purpose of the working group
The working group will provide advice on the operational aspects of the management of the tropical rock lobster fishery.
Objectives
- To assist with implementation of a tropical rock lobster 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 tropical rock lobster fishery.
Working group roles
The role of working group members is to:
- provide operational advice to Fisheries Queensland on particular fisheries management and fishing methods
- assist with the implementation of a harvest strategy
- 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) 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 two years to allow for rotation of different representatives and development of new industry leaders.
| Name | Representative | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Foster | Chair | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| Jenny Keys | Fishery Manager | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| Tony Loader | Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol | Fisheries management (Fisheries Queensland) |
| To be advised | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | Environment |
| To be advised | Department of Environment and Science | Environment |
| Fay Helidoniotis | Fisheries Scientist (Fisheries Queensland) | Science |
| Brett Arlidge | Commercial fisher | Harvest |
| Ean White | Commercial fisher | Harvest |
| Steven Lloyd | Commercial fisher | Harvest |
| John Robinson | Recreational fisher | Harvest |
| Jacob Matysek | Indigenous representative | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities |
| Georgia Langdon | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Observers |