Developing New Fisheries

The Liberal Government is pleased to deliver on another election commitment with the release today of the developmental fisheries framework, encouraging the development of new sustainable fisheries to grow the economy and create jobs.

We support providing opportunities for the development of environmentally sustainable and commercially profitable fisheries.

This is an exciting opportunity for licensed commercial fishers to explore value-adding to low-value species or making the most of new fish species reported in Tasmanian waters.

This means commercial fishers can apply for a permit to undertake the fishing activity and if they satisfy principles and criteria in the new framework they can be granted a permit for a year.

During that time, the fisher can explore the potential new fishery and must collect data and information under strict conditions outlined in the framework.

The fisher will be required to demonstrate that a long-term environmentally sustainable, commercially profitable and socially acceptable fishery can be developed when applying for a permit.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment assisted by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies will carefully monitor and assess outcomes.

I thank the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council and the Tasmanian Association for Recreational Fishing for their collaboration and cooperation in developing this important opportunity.

Anyone seeking more information can visit:

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/commercial-fishing/permit-activities
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water