Queensland SEAFOOD2020 NUMBER 4
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Queensland
Registered by Australia Post: PP434810/0006
SEAFOOD 2020 NUMBER 4
Farewell to 2020 Election means more
– what a year! of the same in Qld
China funding PNG Wild seafood should
fishing operations lure premium prices
TERRY MUST LAUNCHES NEW CAT INTO
REEF LINE FISHERY
Queensland SEAFOOD
VOLUME 38, No. 4 2020
CHAIR ON THE LINE...................................................................................... 4
FROM THE CEO............................................................................................. 5
GLADSTONE PORTS CORP LOSES SUPREME COURT APPEAL............... 6
QSIA WILL CONTINUE BATTLE FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT................... 7
BURDEKIN FISHERMEN WORRIED BY NET CHANGES.............................. 8
WHERE IS FISH MANAGEMENT HEADED?.................................................. 9
Net changes bad for Burdekin. Page 8. CHINESE-FUNDED PNG FISHING PLAN FOR TORRES STRAIT............... 10
PNG SIGNED “BELT & ROAD” FISHING DEALS WITH CHINA.................. 11
TERRY MUST LAUNCHES NEW CAT FOR REEF LINE FISHING............... 12
NQ’S FIRST OYSTER FARM OFF TO A GOOD START............................... 16
ALLURE OF THE WILD: PREMIUM PRICES FOR “WILD” FISH................. 20
GBRMPA STILL SEES FISHING AS A THREAT TO THE REEF................... 22
DISTRUST OF GBRMPA RUNS DEEP IN FISHING INDUSTRY.................. 23
DEADLY YEAR FOR SHARK ATTACKS....................................................... 25
SHARKS A GROWING, COSTLY NUISANCE ON THE REEF...................... 27
Local pain in PNG-China deal? Page10.
ZENITH ENGINEERING CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY.................... 28
THE GULL..................................................................................................... 30
In this issue … Burdekin fishermen are concerned that
proposed changes to net types for use in
their area could mean the end of netting in
QSIA Chair Allan Bobbermen looks ahead the region. Details are on page 8.
in his column on page 4 at the prospects for
four more years of the Labor Government A $200-million fishing and seafood
in Queensland, based particularly on recent complex to be funded by Chinese interests
statements by continuing Fisheries Minister on Daru Island, in Papua New Guinea’s
Mark Furner. Western Province, is raising questions
Allan’s judgement is simple: “The actions about fisheries management in the Torres
of the Palaszczuk Government are making Strait and adjacent waters. See pages 10-
it clear that they do not want a wild-caught 11.
harvest sector.”
A NSW oyster farmer saw blacklip
Good start for NQ oyster farm. Page 16. He points to the State Government oysters in Bowen Harbour and thought
allowing a WTO agreement to lapse and they could be the base of a whole new
statements made by the Fisheries Minister industry in North Queensland. To test his
at the Estimates Committee hearings. theory, John Collison has built NQ’s first
“We can expect more demands from oyster farm. Turn to pages 16-18.
lobbyists and the further unpacking of the The GBRMPA still sees fishing as a threat
so called ‘harvest strategy’ suitcase,” he to the Reef, an attitude unlikely to reverse
says. the attitude of distrust for the Authority
CEO Eric Perez agrees that 2020 is a year still running deep in the fishing industry.
fishermen will want to see the back of but The GBRMPA view is summarised on page
also looks at changes in the seafood supply 22 and fisherman Neil Green expresses an
chain that may hold long-term benefits for industry view of the Authority on pages 23-
the fishing industry. (See page 5.) 24.
Front cover: Terry Must – Bowen-based fisherman, wholesaler and retailer – has
launched a 13.5-metre cat, Three Seas, to supply fresh reef fish to a domestic market he
Premium prices for “wild” fish. Page 20. says is running strong. All the details are on pages 12-15.
Queensland Seafood is Mailing Address: Chief Executive Officer: Advertising:
the official journal of the PO Box 392 Eric Perez E-mail: mobo2@live.com
Queensland Seafood Industry Clayfield Q 4011 Tel: 0417 631 353 Postal:
Association Inc, the peak eo@qsia.com.au PO Box 392
body representing the State’s Mob: 0417 631 353 Clayfield Q 4011
seafood industry. E-mail: eo@qsia.com.au
Website: www.qsia.com.au
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 3
Membership
chair on the Line Membership has remained steady,
with most members renewing, along
Re-elected Labor Government clearly with new members joining.
does not want wild-caught sector If you have colleagues who are
HELLO members. 2020 has not QSIA has requested – under not members and they want to stay
been a year that most will want to freedom of information legislation – informed in the pushback of this reform
remember, with the amount of stress the rationale for not conducting a RIS mess, I urge you to petition them to
and uncertainty that has confronted with the harvest strategy, as it has become a member.
industry. been identified there will be economic
and social impacts resulting from this Conclusion
Now that we have an ALP process.
2021 is shaping up to be a challenging
Government for the next four years,
we can expect more demands from Also, post-implementation analysis year, with the rollout of this “reform”
lobbyists and the further unpacking (PIA) of the vessel monitoring system process.
of the so-called “harvest strategy” (VMS) was scheduled for this year.
suitcase. QSIA will be perusing this in the New Sadly, this coming year may force
Year. fishers to exit this proud and passionate
The actions of the Palaszczuk industry.
Government are making it clear that I urge you to contact Eric with any
they do not want a wild-caught harvest concerns you have with your units or Hopefully, with the right approach,
sector. service providers. tacticly, we can halt or alter this
unworkable strategy approach to a
This has been demonstrated by On the “reform” process, QSIA more practical, workable solution.
allowing a WTO agreement with is watching this closely and will be
the Federal Government to lapse pushing back when the Government
makes their next move. As this is my last report as interim
and statements made by Fisheries chair until the AGM, I would like
Minister Mark Furner at the Estimates to thank the members who have
Committee, with his passion for On consumer awareness, QSIA is
exploring avenues to enlighten the contacted me to share their thoughts
aquaculture.
wild-harvest seafood consumers the on a pathway forward for industry.
Reading the Hansard transcript of product of their choice may soon be
the Minister’s comments and rubbery harder to source, with the pending Stay safe and have a have a great
figures put forward, it is obvious the regulation changes. Christmas with your family and friends.
Minister or his advisors have not
researched from FRDC publications. It is my view these consumers are an Allan
important ally, as they have every right
to demand to know why the seafood of Allan Bobbermen
A point found interesting with the their choice is unavailable and they are Chair
Minister’s address to the Estimates being forced to make second choices. QSIA
Committee on the reform process was
how the marketing sector favoured the
reform process. However, he stopped
short of saying the so-called “reforms”
were supported by fishers.
We have a change of leadership in
the State Opposition. It will remain to
be seen if this fresh approach and his
team can keep some accountability in
the house.
Issues on the radar
QSIA has had consultation with
AMSA on the relaxation of equipment
on vessels inside the two nautical mile
limit.
A written submission has been
lodged and we are waiting for a
response from the decision-makers.
You may not be aware that your
certificate to operate is nearing its
expiry date.
I urge you to look at certificates and
start the renewal process, which can be
done on line. I am of the understanding Wild-harvest seafood consumers might be angry if their first-choice product is harder to source
there is a $200 fee for each renewal. in future.
4 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4
The Standing Committee will be
From the CEO examining:
RRgood fishing practice that is
Saying farewell to a truly terrible 2020 ecologically sustainable with an
economic dynamic that produces
WELL, 2020 has been a strange and funds on the State Government’s very good community outcomes;
frustrating year in many respects. good friends across recreational fishing RRhow the current quota system
groups – at a time when building the affects community fishers;
Through the worst of the commercial fishing industry would RRwhether the current system
COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian make more sense in terms of creating disempowers small fishers and
and Queensland seafood industry has jobs across regional and coastal benefits large interest groups;
done what was necessary to adapted Queensland. RRthe enforceability of ecological value
to the impacts of a unique situation. on the current system, and the
Spending funds to secure the current system’s relationship to the
Many discussions have been had recreational sector’s vote is the clear health of the fisheries;
around a change in our supply chains as intent here.
a result of the pandemic. The response RRwhether the current system
is “Yes, there has been a change.” It is results in good fishing practice
Despite this, commercial fishers will that is ecologically sustainable and
a change that may in fact strengthen continue to do what they do best –
industry right along the seafood supply economically dynamic, and produces
provide seafood to those who don’t, good community outcomes; and
chain. won’t or can’t access wild caught
seafood themselves. RRany other related matters.
A focus on buying local seafood has The deadline is 12 March 2021.
changed potential supply lines, with Senate inquiry
more small-scale commercial fishers Link: https://www.aph.gov.au/
engaging in marketing, promoting and The Senate Standing Committees
on Rural & Regional Affairs & Transport Parliamentary_Business/Committees/
selling their catch. Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_
is inquiring into the fisheries quota
system. and_Transport/Fisheriesquota
As the tourism and food services
sectors recover, I hope the demand Let’s hope 2021 is a very different
for local-caught, wild-harvest seafood The Association will be making a
detailed submission and I encourage year.
will return to pre-COVID levels and
hopefully higher. members to consider submissions on Eric Perez
the potential impacts of quota on their CEO
The State Government has operations. QSIA
delivered one of the most haphazard,
unprofessional and anti-industry so-
called “reform” processes in living
memory.
There is no redeeming quality to any
aspect of the reforms and an outcome
of the process is an industry that has
lost faith in Fisheries Queensland and
its Minister. 1. FISHERIES REFORM QUOTA ALLOCATIONS - If the reforms come in and you do not agree
with the formal allocation, call immediately for advice on what to do next.
Many decent, hard-working people We will conduct QCAT Appeals where incorrect allocations have occurred. Don’t go it alone!
have been under stress for over 2. WHITE SPOT DISEASE – Compensation Claims (Moreton Bay)
three years – watching their industry NO WIN NO FEE – sign up if you want your claim advanced. This is open to owners of
redeveloped to suit a political – not licences, lessees, skippers, deckies and any onshore businesses impacted by White
fisheries management – agenda. Spot. If you do not sign up then you will guarantee yourself of getting $0.
3. GLADSTONE PORT DREDGING – Class Action
It’s a disgrace and Premier Annastacia The Class Action is well underway in the Rockhampton Supreme Court. If you want to
Palaszczuk and Fisheries Minister Mark have your claim advanced and have not signed up, you need to act immediately!
Furner should feel a sense of shame …
but probably don’t.
All you need to do is look at a recent FREE LEGAL ADVICE FOR FIRST CONSULTATION – JUST CALL 0409 517 587
State Government media release
with the same old partisan funding (i) Court Appearances – If visited by Fisheries, call us 7 days a week for a free chat
to keep recreational fishing groups (ii) Share Fishing Agreements
happy. One million dollars invested in (iii) Buy/Sell or Leasing - Boat/Licence/Quota
the recreational fishing experience – (iv) Family Law, Conveyancing, Wills/Estates, Business Law.
simply amazing.
As noted by the Minister, “Over Contact Chris Thompson on (p) 4197 5600 | (m) 0409 517 587
four years, we’ll be investing $1 79 Torquay Road, Hervey Bay Q 4655, PO Box 3358, Hervey Bay Q 4655
chris@lawessentials.net.au | www.lawessentials.net.au
million in Recreational Fishing
Grants to support learn-to-fish
clinics, recreational club activities,
restocking and research assistance.”
It is yet another expenditure of public
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 5
GPC lost at first instance in the
COURT REPORT Supreme Court of Queensland in
Rockhampton under Justice Crow and
appealed.
Gladstone Ports
Corp loses Among others, they argued that
the suite of funding agreements
funding appeal were against public policy and were
unenforceable due to the ancient torts
THE Gladstone Ports Corporation of champerty and maintenance, which
(GPC) has lost their appeal against had not been formally abolished in
funding arrangements for a class action Queensland but had been abolished in
over its dredging operations in the some other Australian states.
Gladstone Port in 2011.
Crow J found (Murphy Operator &
This means the funding arrangements Ors v Gladstone Ports Corporation
can remain in place and the class action & Anor (No.4) [2019] QSC 228) that
will continue. the funding agreements did not involve could amount to any abuse of process.
unlawful conduct or purpose and were It found that the litigation funding
not prejudicial to the administration of
The decision, handed down in the justice. agreements in this case preserved the
Queensland Supreme Court of Appeal orthodox relationship between a client
on November 13, represents a big and its solicitors.
On the contrary, the funding
win for the fishing and processing agreements accorded with the
businesses (Plaintiffs) against the GPC public policy of part 13A of the CPA. Clyde & Co partner Maurice
for the collapse of the fishing industry Accordingly, Crow J held that the funding Thompson said: “This is a significant
following the GPC’s controversial agreements were not unenforceable win for the Plaintiffs, as it means that
Gladstone Port expansion project in by reason of maintenance, champerty their access to justice, via the funding
2011. or public policy. So, GPC appealed. being provided by Clyde & Co and
LCM, is preserved.”
The Plaintiffs are represented in The case was heard by three judges
the class action by Rockhampton-born of the Supreme Court, sitting as the Law Essentials principal Chris
brothers Maurice Thompson (Clyde Court of Appeal. Thompson said: “This whole argument
& Co) and Chris Thompson (Law forced by GPC has a been a costly
Essentials). In defending the appeal, senior distraction to the serious underlying
counsel for the Plaintiffs, leading class- case against GPC.
The GPC had challenged the actions barrister Lachlan Armstrong
enforceability of the underlying suite QC, submitted to the Court how the “Now that they have lost a second
of funding agreements (including a class action rules and procedures that time, we would hope that the focus
Conditional Costs Agreement from had been developed in Queensland, can return to the main case.
Clyde & Co). even if the torts of champerty and
maintenance had not been abolished, “If they choose to appeal to the High
If GPC had succeeded, the Plaintiffs’ provided ample protection for the Court, it would be uncommercial and
source of funding to run the claim, Plaintiffs in this case. suggest they have more money than
provided by Clyde & Co and litigation sense.”
funding company Litigation Capital The Court of Appeal agreed and Chris Thompson
Management (LCM), would have been emphatically dismissed GPC’s appeal.
Principal
taken away, and the case would in all Law Essentials
likelihood have been discontinued due It concluded there was nothing in
to the enormous complexity and cost the litigation funding agreements that Footnote: The GPC filed an appeal
to run the claim. was contrary to public policy or that to the High Court on December 11.
Gladstone Harbour.
6 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4
State Government had three years to
MANAGEMENT NEWS comply with and could have done so
if they had engaged with Queensland
commercial fishers in good faith.
QSIA will continue battle for better
fisheries management “Why did the State Government
wait for almost three years to meet
The QSIA has expressed disappointment, anger and deep concerns its WTO obligations? Why wait to the
11th hour to push through what have
after the Queensland Government announced the next steps in its so- been so-called reforms?
called “fisheries reforms: ahead of the State election.
QSIA Chief Executive Officer Eric Commonwealth Government for the “Do not believe the hype – our
Perez said the statement by Fisheries Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) issues fisheries are in great condition. Our
Minister Mark Furner on September 30 we have faced recently. commercial fishers are family-run small
reflects poor fisheries management and businesses operating along the coast
will continue to be opposed by QSIA. and regional Queensland, and do a
“The Commonwealth Government professional job in the supply of fresh
asked for a WTO-compliant local seafood to the community.
“The Minister ’s announcement management plan years ago – and it
has been long in the making and did not have to be the plan now being
championed by the Minister. “The so-called ‘reform’ process has
demonstrates the lack of regard in been based on political ideology and
which commercial fishers are held by a keen eye toward the recreational
the State Government. “The draconian controls that most fishing vote and the demands of
of industry have completely opposed environmental activists, and the
“It is clear that today’s announcement since they were made public at the process has been a sham perpetrated
brings together the worst elements start of the so-called reform process on my industry and the millions of
of fisheries management – an anti- are entirely the work of the State Queenslanders who cannot, do not
industry and biased State Government, Government. and will not go recreationally fishing to
policy-making that will fundamentally catch their own seafood.
u n d er m i n e c o m m er c i a l f i s h i n g “The State Government was sent a
businesses, and a fisheries management letter from the Federal Government in “This Association will continue to
agency, Fisheries Queensland, that 2018 advising them what was expected work on getting a fair and equitable
has been part of a sham fisheries under their WTO obligations. outcome for the commercial fishing
management reform process. industry under this shameful so-called
“Using COVID-19 is a reprehensible reform process. All we have ever
“The Minister or State Government way to cover what was non- asked for and expected is a fair go: to
sh o uld no t try to b lame th e compliance to the WTO – which the date, this has not happened.”
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 7
“Burdekin fishermen, while being
NETTING MATTERS part of a regional management pilot
project, did a lot of work developing
dugong-friendly nets in our area.
Burdekin fishermen say net changes
would end their barra operations “We instigated further net closures
in Bowling Green Bay, as well as
had 16-mesh drop nets with lead
SIX experienced net fishermen in the “When we have flood events and rope legislated through the Federal
Burdekin region have told Fisheries can’t fish in rivers and creeks because Government in this area to limit
Queensland proposed changes to of the fast flow of water, we rely on interactions with dugong – allowing
net types permitted for use would fish being flushed out along beaches, them to swim over, under or around
effectively end their barra fishing etc. These fish range between six the nets. (This net design actually won
operations threre. and 12 kilograms each, and we have a State Environment award in 2009) .
established very good markets for this
The experienced fishermen – Paul size product. “What we have learnt with this
Bonanno, Neil Green, Frank Hocking, special designed net in this area, is the
Dave Hollingsworth, Ross Menso “The only way line 50 would have heavier net (line 70 or 90) helps turn
and Brad Sutcliffe – have written any chance of catching them is to use species of conservation interest (SOCI)
to Fisheries Queensland explaining a deep-drop net like 50 meshes to – dugong and turtle – away, avoiding
entangle this targeted size fish: 50 mesh interaction.
the problems with the planned net
changes. of seven-inch, as an example, would be
just under 30 foot of loose net. “If we are forced to use line 50 on
our foreshores, this will undo the years
The experienced N2 fishermen of work we have done and lessons
“This in itself creates a lot of safety
expressed their “objection and learnt to stop these interactions with
problems in the small crafts we use (4
concern” with the proposed net mesh – 5.5 metres) when running, shooting these wonderful animals.”
diameter and reduction of maximum and retrieving this light net. Hook-ups
mesh size. on the boat can cause the boat to spin Mesh size reduction
sideways into waves and be capsized They also said it was apparent
They said it had been clarified by or swamped. Hook-ups can be on nav
Fisheries Queensland that the 0.5 not much thought has been put into
lights, rollicks blocks, anchor tie-down this decision and certainly not much
mm diameter of monofilament net points, loose screws, etc. – something consultation in their area of the coast
mentioned in clause 161 is a misprint. that is avoided when using shallow- has been done.
It was supposed to represent the drop and heavier net.
diameter equal to line 50 monofilament “In this area, we have 75 per cent of
net for foreshores and bays. “Another problem we have identified our rivers, creeks and coastline shut to
is that, early in the barra season, net fishing. We don’t think we need to
“If we are forced to use line 50 net jellyfish are usually very prominent and implement another layer of protection
on our foreshores and bays in our are easier to handle in heavier shallow to protect large fish by reducing our
area, it will effectively make fishing drop nets than the proposed nets we net size down to seven inches. The
for barramundi, as we know it today, will be forced to use. This will cause closed areas already provide adequate
unviable,” they said. huge problems. protection for large fish.”
Net fishing in the Burdekin River.
8 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4
They said decades of fishing
experience showed that, when there MANAGEMENT VIEWS
are flood events, large fish come in
from the sea to spawn, as well as
large fish flushed out of the billabongs Where is the Queensland Government
through the river systems into the
open ocean to return in a year or so
heading with fish management?
to spawn. by Neil Green
“There is a huge biomass of large WHAT is the ultimate plan through done in the past – to buying their own
fish in our area,” they said. “We are the introduction of the Queensland licences.
talking females of 15 – 25 kg plus. Fisheries “reform” quota system?
If they are in fact forced to leave the
“Even using up to 8-inch line 90, There is no doubt we are going to industry, this will ultimately leave long-
we have little chance of catching see privatisation of our community term fishers like me with very limited
these ‘purpose-built professional net resource. markets for our licences when we are
breakers’ – and, for obvious reasons, ready to retire.
we don’t want to. There will be no checks and balances
in place to stop quota being sold off to For us, this represents our
“Thirty years ago, we used to use the highest bidder. superannuation, built up over years
up to 10-inch nets, the only size nets of investing in our fishing businesses,
you had a chance of catching these big Investors with interests in china are building up a portfolio consisting of
breeders. Back then, we could see the already showing a lot of interest in licences, endorsements, quota, boats,
need to protect these large fish and Queensland quota, particularly in the gear, as well as on land infrastructure,
agreed to reducing the net size to 8½ mud crab fishery, before it has even with the intent of selling to the next
inch. been issued. generation of fishers.
“However, what is being suggested It is a worrying time for us small, This so-called “fishery reform”
now – 7-inch line 50 – is not feasible; multi-endorsed fishers: we are looking
package has not been subjected to
7½ inch and 8-inch are the proven net down the barrel of a corporate
takeover of our inshore fisheries. a regulatory impact assessment to
to target barra in this area. determine the social and economic
impacts it will inflict.
One of my major concerns with this
“Using seven-inch will increase the happening is for our young fishers who
bycatch that we are not targeting and currently lease licences. It is obvious from this decision the
this equates to less profit as we will fill State Government is not interested
our iceboxes with less value species. In Many have been waiting for in the wellbeing or mental health of
turn, we will have to spend more time investment warnings on our fisheries the people who make up the seafood
on the water to catch our quotas of to be lifted, allowing them to invest in industry of Queensland.
barramundi in this area.” their futures and buy licences / quota
with confidence. The Government’s focus is heading
They said there is one thing for down the track of selling us out, having
certain: you cannot impose a uniform There will be problems if this fewer operators to manage and hanging
net size that would suit the entire opportunity is taken from our young their caps on the value of the fisheries,
inshore N2 fishery. fishers coming up through the ranks. assessed through the sale of quota.
They concluded: “We certainly hope These young operators have no * Neil Green is a multi-endorsed net,
the decision-makers can value our doubt planned to use leased licences as crab and line fisherman based in the
expert opinions on this issue.” stepping stones – like many of us have Burdekin region, south of Townsville.
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 9
“seriously depleted, unmonitored and
TORRES STRAIT poorly managed”, he said.
Chinese-funded PNG fishing plan for “The traditional owners of land and
sea along the Western Province treaty
Torres Strait raises concerns villages have no say or control over
what is being harvested or by whom.”
Media publicity over Chinese funding for a processing plant in Papua
New Guinea to handle increased catches from Torres Strait is causing Mr Tom said the plant was a “priority
concern amongst the Australian industry. project” for PNG.
IT was widely reported in Australian system and bugger-all support from “Under the influence of China’s ‘One
media in late November that China the PNG Government. When they go Belt, One Road’ policy, Zhonghong
plans to spend $200 million to build a Fishery Company decided to invest in
out to fish to feed their families, there’s PNG.
processing plant on Daru Island. going to be nothing left.”
Concerns have been raised over “This large investment project will
The Fuzhou-based Fujian Zhonghong bring employment to the local area and
what controls could be imposed on Fishery Company, established in
Chinese-backed PNG fishing vessels in promote the economic development
2011, has a long involvement with of Western Province and PNG.”
fisheries shared with Australian-based PNG, mainly in fishing and seafood
boats. processing. China’s ambassador to PNG, Xue
China’s Ministry of Commerce Bing, said the company’s investment
But Mr Entsch said he held concerns “will definitely enhance PNG’s ability to
announced a deal worth 527-million
kina (A$204m) to establish a over China’s track record in the region. comprehensively develop and utilise its
“comprehensive multi-functional own fishery resources”.
fishery industrial park” project on Daru “You only have to look at what
Island, the administrative centre for China has done in other places in the Concerns have previously been
PNG’s Western Province. Pacific to ask the question of whose raised about the actions of Chinese
best interest it is in,” he said. “Is it in fishing fleets elsewhere.
The memorandum of understanding, the best interest of the broader PNG
which apparently provided little detail, community? I suspect not.” For example, in August, just off the
was signed by the Fujian Zhonghong Galapagos Islands, an armada of nearly
Fishery Company, PNG Fisheries Torres Strait community fisheries 300 Chinese vessels logged 73,000
Minister Lino Tom and Western representative Kenny Bedford was hours of fishing in a month, hauling in
Province Governor Taboi Yoto. reported as saying there are significant thousands of tonnes of squid and fish.
implications for Australian Torres Strait
Reports said the plant is expected fisheries. At their closest point, PNG and
to serve as a hub for fishing vessels Australia are separated by less than
coming into the region and to process four kilometres of water: the border
“Under the current catch-sharing communities are deeply intertwined,
catches taken from the Torres Strait. arrangements, it is likely PNG will be with free movement between islands
moving in this partnership to access (outside Covid restrictions) and close
Under the Torres Strait Treaty, their full entitlement rights under the
Australia and PNG are allowed to fish a sharing of resources.
Torres Strait treaty.
shared area of the waters known as the
Torres Strait Protected Zone, which The Torres Strait Sea and Land
straddles the fishing zones of the two Aside from the catches allowed Council Gur A Baradharaw Kod
countries. under the treaty, fish resources on represents traditional inhabitants
the PNG side of the border were throughout the island communities.
Inside Australia’s zone, PNG boats
have been allowed to take 25 per
cent of the permitted tropical crayfish
catch and 40 per cent of the permitted
Spanish mackerel catch.
In the past, PNG has not had the
capacity to commercially fish its share
of these quotas but it believed the new
deal could attract Chinese funding for
PNG-flagged vessels.
Warren Entsch, federal MP for the
North Queensland sear of Leichhardt
(which includes Torres Strait), was
reported as saying “It’s certainly going
to impact on our side of the fishery
… but at the end of the day there is a
treaty arrangement there.
“The biggest losers are going to be
the treaty villages (of PNG’s Western
Province). They have no welfare Fishing zones in the Torres Strait.
10 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4said, for the purpose of the review the
Chinese President actually announced
this shift in policy focus of the Pacific in
2018 on the sides of the APEC Leaders
Forum, which again for many reasons is
a testimental event that I think we need
to scrutinise and analyse,” he said.
“But for the purposes of our China
relations, it was announced there that
their focus now is what the Chinese
President described as a strategic,
comprehensive relationship underlined
by mutual trust and respect and
cooperation.”
The report said one of the benefits
of China’s bilateral relations with PNG
is the trade balance between the two
countries is now in favour of the Pacific
Island nation, which Mr Steven said is
rare for an economy in the region.
“One of the things I want to take
back from this forum is say okay guys,
There are concerns about the impacts of large-scale fishing operations on the catches of local
villagers in PNG. we are amongst a very few countries,
maybe the only country in the Pacific
Its chair, Ned David, said the
organisation was “extremely PNG signed “Belt now that I have heard Fiji’s figures,
we could be amongst the very few
concerned” with the implications
of the plan, including an increased
& Road” fishing countries in the world that actually
has a favourable trade balance with
risk of illegal, unreported and deals in 2019 China so let us find out what has been
happening and let’s strengthen that.”
unregulated fishing.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA signed “Belt
and Road” fishing deals with China in “For example, in the area of reserve
“We have raised a number of 2019. business activities for our citizens,
concerns over the years with AFMA, in the area of local content and
the Australian Fisheries Management A dedicated “Belt and Road” participation … compliance so I think
Authority, that we have had very little electronic newsletter reported in the announcement of the Belt and
policing of the fishery,” Mr David said. October 2019 that two fishing deals Road Policy and its South Pacific focus
had been signed between PNG and was really helpful.”
“We already have a number of China.
Chinese operators in some of our Mr Steven said the BRI enabled PNG
communities and I’ve asked that this It quoted PNG Deputy Prime to sign a number of agreements with
is looked at and that some sort of due Minister, Minister for Justice and China, especially during the tenure of
diligence be conducted around what I Attorney General, Davis Steven, as former prime minister Peter O’Neill.
would categorise as a rogue element in saying in October 20198 would seek
his Cabinet’s approval for a one-on- China has overtaken Australia as
the business. one conference with China to enable the largest trading partner of PNG,
both parties to agree on a framework with the Deputy PM saying the trade
“We’d like to see the level of to govern the implementation of the balance between the two countries
monitoring and restrictions the two fisheries agreements. currently stands at about US$500
Commonwealth has taken on the million in favour of his country.
border for Covid continued in terms Mr Steven was speaking at a one-day
of policing and presence to ensure that summit in Apia, which was attended The PNG Government will now
nobody is pillaging and plundering our by 10 Pacific Island nations, including move to capitalise on that favourable
resources, on our side of the border.” PNG, that recognise the One China trade relationship, through the
Policy. promotion of downstream processing
Asked whether AFMA had the of raw materials, which were
capacity to monitor larger, professional The summit was designed to review previously exported to international
fishing fleets in Torres Strait, a China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) markets including China.
spokesman said the existing legal and its progress in the region.
framework would remain “the basis Besides PNG, the other countries
“Papua New Guinea has a lot to gain that attended the one-day summit in
for continued successful management”. and contribute in this forum, firstly the Apia included the host Samoa, Solomon
purpose of the forum is to focus on the Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga,
An Australian Border Force Belt & Road Policy,” Mr Steven said. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM),
spokesperson told the media it worked Niue and Cook Islands.
closely with its PNG counterparts: The Deputy PM said China is using
“The ABF undertakes a range of the BRI to advance its geopolitical To see the original article, go to “Belt
enforcement action, including boarding position in the region. and Road News” at: www.beltandroad.
vessels, to respond to any threat to news/2019/10/28/papua-new-guinea-
civil maritime security.” “For us Papua New Guinea, as I signs-fisheries-agreements-with-china/
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 11demand. The price of fish is rising all
BOATS AND GEAR the time because people are prepared
to pay for quality fresh local fish,
Terry Must launches new cat into especially the prime fillets that come
from our reef fish.
deepsea reef fishing “We have got good local demand,
Bowen fisherman and marketer Terry Must has launched a new boat plus even stronger demand from
into the deepsea reef fishery – the 13.5-metre catamaran Three Seas Sydney and Melbourne. In Sydney and
– confident of its future because of a strong and growing demand for Melbourne, prices can be up to 40
quality fresh fish. per cent higher than in Queensland,
so that makes the extra trouble and
“THERE is an insatiable demand for to the Reef and use 500 litres of fuel for cost of sending some our catch south
fresh local fish,” Terry said recently, a few days, well, it’s not going to be a worthwhile.
sitting in the wheelhouse of his new big cost.
boat. “People want fresh fish, the “For example, Sydney Fish Market is
prices are good and I enjoy catching “Obviously, we can also search paying $30 for chilled reef fish, that’s
reef fish, so I’ve built a boat designed in deeper water. We know there’s
another fishery out there in the deeper whole fish, packed in styro.”
to bring in top-quality chilled fish.
water.
Exploring the deep
“I’ll make money doing something I
enjoy and provide good healthy food at “When we bought a licence for Terry is looking at doing three-day
the same time. That’s a win-win.” the boat, we put a Spanish mackerel trips to the Reef initially.
endorsement on it, and we just recently
The new boat has a length of 13.5 bought an L8 licence that can take us “It’s going to take a while to learn
metres and beam of just on six metres. out further, into the Coral Sea, and that how to fish in the deep water. A friend
It is powered by two 240hp Yanmar will get us out far enough I think.” of mine is fishing at the moment in 70
diesels, with an 18kva generator. to 100 metres of water, and he is doing
Strong market demand quite well, in a plate boat with a Minn
“That generator will seem a bit big Terry knows there will be a market Kota and a multi-beam sounder.
but we wanted to be able to put both for the fish he catches, without having
brine and snap refrigeration on board, to rely on overseas markets in these “We are going to use deepwater
so that’s why we went for that size,” times of disrupted flights and trade electric reels. The reel hangs off the
Terry said. tensions. back of the boat, with a stainless steel
bracket. We’ll be using two or three of
“I wanted a boat that was “There’s huge demand for fresh those. They are 12-volt reels, Profisher
economical. I thought if we can get out quality seafood. Everything is in Reels, and they’re pretty robust reels.
Terry Must’s new powered cat – the Three Seas – has a beam of just on six metres.
12 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4The 13.5-metre cat has been designed for deepwater reef fishing, able to economically cruise out wide and bring in a good payload.
“We went for a trial run the other to be economical. We’re not targeting view to finding – and maybe one day
day, out in 300 metres, then came tonnes of fish. We just want to go out even identifying – fish in deep water.
into 190 metres, and everything went there and do two or three days’ fishing
pretty well. and come back and mostly supply our “The electronics include a multi-
own shop with fresh fish. beam sounder that effectively works
“The reels come from Jo Rowley at like a sonar, and it’s mapping as you
Deep Drop Commercial in Mooloolaba. “To make it worthwhile, we are are travelling over the ground so you
He’s got a lot of experience in the going to have to get a couple of can find structure. You need to find
deepwater fishery, and his dad Mike hundred kilos a day at least, That’s a structure so you can find where the fish
Rowley was a pioneer in the deep fairly minimal target but it should be are feeding, so that’s the idea.
water, so he knows what’s needed. achievable.
“It backs up to the MaxSea program
“There are different reels on the “We will carry the fish in a brine tank and that gives us a different colour on
market. There are hydraulic reels as on the back deck, chilled with ice. Later the depths also.
well, and we’ve got a couple of them on, we’ll have coil refrigeration, so the
in the shed, but we haven’t got the fish will be going into refrigerated salt
hydraulic package on the boat yet. We “There is a touch display screen,
thought we’d just start with the electric water and that will save on ice. Then that’s a multi-function display, and it is
reels. we won’t have to carry so much ice, a radar, plotter and sounder. We have
and the ice will be just for the slurry to a one kilowatt sounder and a three
“They’re not cheap – they’re four come home. kilowatt sounder.
and a half thousand dollars each – but
they’re good reels and we are just “We also have fish wells on both “I think, if you are clever enough, you
going through the experimental stage side, so, when we reach our eventual will learn after a while what the species
right now, seeing how it works for us.” catch targets, we know we can carry of fish is that you’re looking at, and that
extra ice and we’ll have enough there. particular speckle on the screen is the
Light but strong fish you’re looking for.
“Obviously, fishing’s going to be
The boat weighs in an eleven and a better in some places than others and, “It’s going to take 12 months for
half tonnes dry and the hulls are made for the moment, we’re going to go out someone very clever to learn how to
from infused fibreglass. and look around, target a few hundred use this gear, so it’s going to take me a
kilos of fish and gradually get better at bit longer.”
“The infused fibreglass is a good it.”
product. It draws the resin through the New target species
foam and gives it strength that way.
Sharp-eyed electronics
So, what species of fish will Terry be
“It is a light boat but we’re just trying Terry has installed electronics with a looking for?
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 13“I’m very interested in fish around
the Reef itself but the idea of the gear
I’ve got on board this boat is that we
will use it out further.
“There’s goldband snapper off
Innisfail, there’s goldband snapper
off Gladstone and further south. So,
there’s no reason there shouldn’t be
goldband snapper off Bowen.
“Around a hundred to a hundred
and fifty metres is where they usually
are, so we have to get out around that
depth and spend some time looking.
“Then there’s bar cod off the Gold
Coast and there’s bar cod off the
Torres Strait, so there’s no reason
there shouldn’t be bar cod off here as
well.
“Out towards the 200-metre mark,
there are ruby snapper and flame
snapper, so they’ll be worth looking
for. We know they’re out there. The
late Martin Cunningham previously
caught those fish off here, so we know
they’re definitely around.
A brine tank will carry chilled fish on the back deck.
“We know fish are out there, all
different species, and we just have to
spend the necessary time searching.
And the more we fishermen diversify
and tap into different stocks of fish to
offer customers, the better.”
Customer want “fresh local”
Terry has no doubt customers are
willing to buy a wider range of tasty
reef fish than they might be used to
right now.
“Fresh, quality seafood is what
people want,” Terry said.
“A lot of people don’t want to buy the
supermarket stuff. They want to come
to specialist seafood retailers where
there’s a big selection, staff know what
they’re selling and the customer can be
sure where it’s come from.
“Since the start of Covid, seafood
sales have just gone nuts. I know one
chain of seafood retail shops in Sydney
where sales are up 60 per cent on
equivalent times last year
“In our own shop, our sales for
2020 have already passed 2019 and
we’ve still got two months to go. And
that’s always our businest two months
of the year, leading up to Christmas.
Our numbers are fantastic here at
the moment. People are doing more
cooking at home and they want to
cook with quality seafood.
“There’s starting to be a problem
There are also fish wells on each side. keeping up with demand. We’re going
14 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4alright but there is a need for more
fresh, local fish.
“A friend of mine has brought some
goldband snapper in today. People buy
it. They like it. They have to get used
to seeing it here. People naturally go
for what they know, like the red-throat
emperor and coral trout but once they
have tested some of those other good-
quality fish, they’re fine.
“Fresh, quality fish is in demand,
there’s no doubt about that, and when
it comes in, it sells. The phones are
ringing every day with people inquiring
what we’ve got.
Covid boosted fish sales
“As soon as Covid started, the
Sydney Fish Market put out a warning
that told fishermen to be careful what
One of the electric reels from Deep Drop Commercial. they sent down because there was no
guarantee there’d be a market.
“Last Friday’s market was three and
a half thousand boxes, and it cleared.
There was one week when there was
three and a half thousand boxes on a
Monday – that’s a Monday – and they
all cleared. That’s unheard of.
“Sydney Fish Market themselves
thought they were going to have
trouble because the restaurant trade
had shut down, so those wholesale
sales have gone but retail sales by
contrast have gone through the roof.
“People, being at home because of
Covid, are looking at cooking seafood,
and different types of seafood, and
people are finding out that cooking
seafood isn’t as hard as they thought,
so the demand is way up.
“A lot or trawlers stopped work for
The electronics are designed to find fish in deep water.
a couple of months because no-one
knew what would happen to demand
and prices, but now demand is way up
again and prawn prices are kicking on,
the way you expect them to this time
of year, and it looks like being a strong
Christmas.
Advice if you
are getting
a boat built
TERRY MUST is very happy with his
new boat in its early days but has some
advice for anyone thinking of about
getting a boat built.
“If you want to get a boat built, when
you are considering who should do
the job, ask the opinion of the last five
people he built a boat for and see what
they think about the boat and how they
The boat is powered by two 240hp Yanmar diesels. were treated.”
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 15Speaking in early November, John
AQUACULTURE said he already had more than five
and a thousand slats made up and he
expected to start putting them out
NQ’s first oyster farm off to a good start around the middle of the month.
When John Collison visited the Bowen boat harbour six years ago and
saw big blacklip oysters growing on the rocks, he wondered why no- He believes spawning is triggered
by the warming water temperature,
one was trying to farm them. Now, someone is: him. build-up of air pressure and fresh
water associated with the first heavy
IT helped that John had 33 years’ and so I have applied for another lease rain of summer.”
experience growing oysters in southern as well, in a spot that is more sheltered
New South Wales behind him but it still across on the other side of the bay, but Collecting spat time-consuming
was not easy to start growing a new we can still grow oysters where we
species from scratch. are, despite the rough water. “We put the slats out and bring them
in when the spat are about 12mm
“Fisheries Queensland were really across, about half an inch. They first
“The existing lease is 10 hectares attach when they are still microscopic
good about permits and licensing but I and I have applied for another five
think they were worried I might drop almost, less than a millimetre across.
hectares in the sheltered area, which By that time, they are about 21 days
off the perch and leave a mess out would be ideal for the baby oysters.”
there, so I had to pay a bond, but that’s old and have been swimming around in
okay, because I’ve had to invest a lot of the water column chasing algae.
Two main species
money to get this venture up and going
anyway. Although the main species John is “We bring the slats in and run
interested in is the blacklip oyster, he through a machine that bends the
is also growing the other main native plastic slats a little bit and pops the spat
“The lease is just north of Bowen, off without hurting them, and then we
in Cameron’s Bay, halfway between oyster species in the region, the milky
oyster. transfer them into fine-mesh cylinders.
Bowen and Abbot Point wharf, and I
am trying to get a second lease area.”
“We catch our own spat on bundles “Then, we grade them as they grow,
of slats that we set out in the water. and once they’re at around 30mm we
Southern techniques adapted transfer them into the grow out bags
Oysters spawn into the water column
“It is a shallow-water lease, quite with 20mm mesh and hang them on
and the baby oysters float around for the poles. And they grow on from
good for what I do, for my system that a little while and then find something
I brought from down in New South there. That takes another year or so.
hard to settle on. We catch them when
Wales, where I had leases at Greenwell they settle on the slats we put out.
Point in the Shoalhaven River. “There’s a lot of sorting that has to
be done and it takes a lot of time. Up
“I was used to the time of year here, we get four species of oysters.
“We sort of invented a system Sydney rock oysters spawn, but the
down there for Pacific oysters. What There are two types of milky oysters
originally happened down there was blacklips and milkies are different, that aren’t any good for farming, then
that you grew your oysters, Sydney they spawn at a different time of year, there is the milky that be grown and
rock oysters at that time, on sticks, and so that’s one of the things I have had then there’s the blacklip. That’s the
you had a lot of what was called “stick to adjust to, and it’s really taken us a four species. It takes a lot of time, a lot
ground”, and they could handle the few years to sort out the differences time, sorting out the different types.
rough water. between southern oysters and these
ones up here. “What would make the world
“When winter mortality of oysters of difference now is a hatchery in
happened, and then Pacifics appeared, “Of course, if you miss the spawning Queensland that can breed blacklip
you weren’t allowed to have Pacifics one year, you’ve basically got to wait oysters. That’s what’s needed now to
infesting the sticks or the trays, and you the best part of another year before have a blacklip oyster industry in North
had to weed them out, but because you can do it again. If you make a Queensland.”
they were endemic in the river, it mistake, it takes a year to correct it,
really meant you couldn’t use sticks any and if you’re still not right it can take Blacklip a great oyster
more. another year to get that right, so you
Even after his experience with the
can’t afford to be short of time in this fast-growing Pacific oyster, John is
“All the stick ground down the ocean business when you’re doing something impressed with the growth rate of
end of the river, where I was, became new. It’s not a short-term industry. blacklip oysters.
redundant, but I hung on to my ground,
and later when we were allowed to “We started off putting out slats at “Blacklips are really good the way
actually farm Pacifics, I started using the end of January, the same way we they grow, they are just something else.
baskets, growing the oysters up in did down south, when it was always the It will take a Sydney rock oyster up to
plastic mesh baskets from the spat, or long weekend in January, and Sydney three years to grow to ideal market
the tiny oyster, seed, spat. rocks keep spawning right through till size and it will take the Pacific only one
June, so you can get the early catch and or two years to get to that size. I have
“We invented this system that then you can get the late catch. got one blacklip through to market size
allowed us to grow Pacifics in the in nine months, so that is possible, and
rougher water on what had been the “We started putting our slats out that’s phenomenal.
stick ground. It is all in bags, suspended here at the end of January and didn’t
on ropes between poles, and I have get much, so we have been putting “Being an oyster farmer for 30-odd
used the same system up here. them out earlier and earlier, and we got years, you get to know oysters, you
down to the beginning of December develop skills, it’s like a trade, and that
“Where we are now is a bit rough, and that’s been much better.” makes a difference.”
16 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4“Blacklips are a great oyster. The
babies are vulnerable, like any oyster,
but the adults are so tough, so hardy.
We have gone through Cyclone
Debbie in 2017 and floods, and they
have survived it all.
“Just before Cyclone Debbie, the
water temperature got to something
like 34 or 36 degrees where we are,
incredibly hot, a temperature that
would kill Sydney rocks stone dead,
and the blacklips were fine.”
An industry in waiting
John said there is growing interest
in growing blacklip oysters across
northern Australia, with would-be
farmers getting together in north-
western Western Australia and the
Northern Territory, though he is the
only person farming them in North
Queensland, as far as he is aware.
“Interest in oysters in WA in general
is growing, with Sydney rock oysters
being grown down in Albany and I
hear the industry is attracting some big
investment. A beautiful hatchery has
been built down there at Albany.
“What would make a real difference
now is being able to breed spat for
blacklips in hatcheries. So far, that
hasn’t been successful. They have been
spawned but not survived long enough
to get through to the spat stage where
they can settle. Oyster farmer John Collison (with spat-collecting slats).
Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4 — 17“I hope to send some more
broodstock to the hatchery in Albany
this year and see if they can be
spawned through and taken through
to the settling stage. I have got a
standing order for half a million spat if
the hatchery there is able to get them
through to that size.
“A hatchery has been built in the
Northern Territory too. The NT
Government is behind that. So, the
hatchery breeding of blacklip will be
cracked eventually and that’s going to
be a great thing.
So far, John has had three harvests
and production is getting more reliable
every year. The oysters – both blacklips
and milkies – are being sold through
retailers in Bowen and Townsville.
A plump tasty farmed Queensland blacklip oyster. “They are being sold on the half-
shell, at a bit over two years of age,
and about 70mm long, which is a good
plate-size oyster.
“Tropical oysters could be a massive
industry for Queensland. Oysters in
New South Wales are worth, what,
$40 million a year, and Queensland
production is just a fraction of that.
We desperately need a hatchery to be
supplying spat. That’s the handbrake
on the industry right now from the
production side of things.
“There is no problem selling the
oysters locally because, right now,
so many of the oysters people buy in
North Queensland come from down
south, even frozen from New Zealand.
Producing oysters locally reduces
handling costs and provides consumers
with a fresher oyster.
This is the size spat are placed on the lease. “Blacklips grown in open waters
like ours are have a great taste. These
oysters grown in clean open waters
really are beautiful.
“And having oysters grown in the
waters of the Great Barrier Reef is also
a great marketing advantage.”
The oysters are grown in these mesh bags.
18 — Queensland Seafood 2020 Number 4You can also read
