Government Response to the Commonwealth Fisheries Review
21 March 2013
…..Today I am releasing the first root and branch review into Commonwealth fisheries in twenty years, the Review of Commonwealth Fisheries: Legislation, Policy and Management (the Borthwick Review), conducted by Mr David Borthwick AO PSM. I am also releasing the Government’s response to that review.
….The review was timely, following the particular attention placed on Commonwealth fisheries and especially the Small Pelagic Fishery throughout August and September 2012. It was evident that although our fisheries management system was world class and had served us well, we could not reasonably expect it to remain world leading without updating it and preparing it for the future. It was an obligation on the part of the Government to deliver such an update.
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Fisheries are a public resource owned by all Australians and it is important that the Australian community is engaged and able to contribute to key decisions about how Australia’s fisheries are managed.
The Government’s response to the Borthwick Review aims to balance these factors.
The Borthwick Review concluded that while our current fisheries management system is good, it could be improved by greater transparency, a broader policy framework and by clarifying objectives and roles. I agree.
I will be asking for all our fisheries stakeholders – the fishers, the supply chain participants, the recreational users, the traditional users, environmental organisations, the marine science community and of course the consumers and wider community – to comment on the recommendations in it. The Review has a strong focus on consultation and inclusive decision making; I believe that our decision on its implementation needs to be done with wide involvement.
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There are opportunities for AFMA to make improvements. The community needs to have renewed confidence in AFMA as the regulator responsible for the stewardship of our natural fisheries resources. I support the recommendations for AFMA to introduce enhanced transparency arrangements into their processes of governance and decision making. I will work with the AFMA Commission to make sure this can be done in an effective and cost efficient way. (Rec 7)
I am also announcing my intention to update the fisheries management plans and the approval process. Fisheries management is a complex process and this will not be an overnight change. The community need to be sensibly involved in fisheries management, particularly for significant decisions. I agree with the Borthwick Review that more strategic information about the future management plans should be provided for community to examine and comment at the appropriate time. This will give all Australians strengthened confidence in the outcomes in our fisheries. (Rec 4)
See the full Ministerial Statement at: http://daff.gov.au/fisheries/review-of-fisheries-management-act-1991-and-fisheries-administration-act-1991/ministerial-statement
Download the Borthwick Review at: http://daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2270229/commonwealth-fisheries-management-review-report.pdf
