Communique 4-5 May 2023

Role of the panel: The Sustainable Fisheries Scientific Expert Panel (the Panel) was established to provide independent expert advice to the Minister responsible for fisheries and Fisheries Queensland on best practice fisheries management and implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027. Its advice does not represent Queensland Government policy.

Meeting 18 of the Panel was held in-person on 4 and 5 May, to seek advice on a range of fisheries issues. Fisheries Queensland provided updates on renewal of the fisheries working groups through an expressions of interest process, the new Cape York working group, Traditional Owner engagement initiatives, and the ongoing recruitment of new Panel members. The terms of reference for the mid-term review of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy: 2017-2027 (SFS) were discussed, as well as considerations for the use of Maximum Economic Yield (MEY) in stock assessments. In addition, the Panel received stakeholder input from commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and conservation sector representatives.

The Panel discussed governance matters for the operation of the Panel and how they interact with working groups, noting appreciation for the opportunity to attend recent Moreton Bay, Crab and Reef Line working group meetings. The Panel noted that new working group members had not yet been appointed and expressed approval of their recent attendance at working group meetings. The Panel emphasised the importance of improved communication and engagement with working groups.

The Panel expressed concern at the limited data available on recreational fishing catch and effort. Fisheries Queensland highlighted efforts to improve data availability through the recreational fishing smart phone application, Qld Fishing 2.0, and research trials involving cameras at boat ramps. The Panel advocated further action to monitor recreational fishing effort.

The Panel reflected on the importance of Moreton Bay Working Group, highlighting that issues faced there are indicative of the issues other fisheries could encounter in the future. They advocated for the Moreton Bay Working Group to have a broader focus than fishery management alone, including fostering partnerships for research and innovation, environmental and ecosystem issues and incorporating a wider scope of stakeholders.

Director-General, Mr Bob Gee, and Deputy Director-General, Mr Graeme Bolton, attended a session to enable the Panel to directly communicate pressing viewpoints regarding SFS implementation, and Panel governance with Fisheries Queensland executive management. The Panel discussed recreational fishing data, the impact of climate change on fish stocks, communication between the Panel and Fisheries Queensland, as well as the IUCN/UNESCO Report on the Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Panel then fielded presentations, comments, and questions from three stakeholder representatives in separate sessions to foster improved mutual understanding and discuss the implementation of the SFS. Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) CEO, Mr David Bobbermen, shared his perspectives of the implementation of the SFS, and the difficulties felt by commercial fishers. He outlined his efforts to breakdown scepticism towards fisheries science as well as gathering industry recommendations for fishery management changes and exploring options for training for fishers to minimise bycatch mortalities.

Mr Simon Miller, the Great Barrier Reef Fisheries Campaign Manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, expressed his views on SFS from a conservation perspective. He expressed support regarding the ongoing implementation of the SFS and the development of stock assessments, as well as advocating restrictions on gillnet usage due to bycatch mortality concerns. The AMCS representative and the Panel agreed that further work could be conducted regarding recreational fishing data and management.

Finally, Mr Scott Mitchell, the chairperson for the Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance, expressed his views on the SFS from a recreational fishing perspective, supporting the SFS as a whole. He advocated for further reduction in fishing effort, restrictions on gillnetting, and discussed some recreational support for additional recreational management arrangements such as a fishing licence to improve fisheries management and provide reinvestment opportunities for the recreational sector, including fishing infrastructure.

Fisheries Queensland discussed their upcoming SFS Mid-Term Review Terms of Reference with the Panel. The Panel agreed that the aim of the review should not be to consider a change in direction, but to consider the learnings and changes in circumstances over the past 5 years. The Panel advocated for a separate document to be created to act as a vision statement for the future of commercial, recreational and indigenous fisheries.

Fisheries Queensland presented an update on the establishment of a First Nations Cape York Working Group, Path to Treaty, and First Nations Industry Development Plan. The Panel supported the progress that had been made on these matters, noting the importance of appointing a First Nations member to the Panel for future advice in this area.

Fisheries Queensland sought advice on implementing and using MEY as a target for fish stocks. The Panel outlined that MEY may be complex to implement, especially in multi-species fisheries. However, they advised Fisheries Queensland to uphold the intent of it, to aim for stock levels that are higher than that associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), continuing to work with appropriate MEY proxies.

The meeting finished with Panel members providing some final reflections. Panel members and Fisheries Queensland thanked resigning member Dr Cathy Dichmont for her contributions since 2017. The Panel reiterated the importance of appointing new members and the value of face-to-face meetings.

The members of the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel are: Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts (Chair), Dr Cathy Dichmont, Mr Ian Cartwright, Associate Professor Daryl McPhee, Professor Natalie Stoeckl and Dr Sean Pascoe.