❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding a $14.5 million initiative to certify WA fisheries, seeking a report on the effectiveness of the Fisheries Research Division and clarification on stakeholder involvement in the certification process. The Minister provides the report and details the roles of the Department of Fisheries and WAFIC.
AnsweredQoN 194Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF
FISHERIES — RESEARCH DIVISION
194. Hon GIZ WATSON to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the minister's media release of 16 March
2012 entitled ''WA fisheries under the microscope'', announcing
the government's intention to spend $14.5 million attempting to certify
more of Western Australia's commercial fisheries.
(1) Given that
the management of these fisheries has largely depended on research conducted by
the Department of Fisheries, will the minister table the report he commissioned
on the effectiveness of the fisheries research division?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the
proposed certification process be managed on behalf of the commercial fisheries
by the Department of Fisheries or by the Western Australian Fishing Industry
Council?
(4) What
resources will be provided to allow the non-capture sector with interests in
the marine environment to participate in the assessment process, as is
typically a transparency requirement for successful fisheries certification?
FISHERIES — RESEARCH DIVISION
194. Hon GIZ WATSON to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the minister's media release of 16 March
2012 entitled ''WA fisheries under the microscope'', announcing
the government's intention to spend $14.5 million attempting to certify
more of Western Australia's commercial fisheries.
(1) Given that
the management of these fisheries has largely depended on research conducted by
the Department of Fisheries, will the minister table the report he commissioned
on the effectiveness of the fisheries research division?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the
proposed certification process be managed on behalf of the commercial fisheries
by the Department of Fisheries or by the Western Australian Fishing Industry
Council?
(4) What
resources will be provided to allow the non-capture sector with interests in
the marine environment to participate in the assessment process, as is
typically a transparency requirement for successful fisheries certification?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1)–(2) During
2010, a review of the research division within the Department of Fisheries was
conducted by Mr Peter Neville from Queensland and Dr John McKoy from New
Zealand. The review confirmed the appropriateness of the current research
delivery model within the department. It also found that the quality of the
research was consistent with similar fisheries research organisations. It
recommended a number of whole-of-agency changes, principally in relation to
consultation and governance processes, to ensure that research was driven by
fisheries management needs with appropriate planning and project management. It
also recommended improved processes for the engagement of the department with
stakeholders. Following the review, a number of changes have been adopted,
including enhanced processes to ensure the department continues to provide high
quality research and fisheries management outcomes. This includes a
comprehensive risk-based regional approach to deliver ecosystem-based fisheries
management that is considered world leading. I table a copy of the report.
(3) The
responsibility for the government's third party certification
initiative lies with the Department of Fisheries, in close liaison with the
commercial fishing industry through the Western Australian Fishing Industry
Council.
(4) The
non-capture sector will have opportunities to be involved in third-party
assessment of individual fisheries through the certification process conducted
by the certifying body.
[See paper 4432.]
of this question.
(1)–(2) During
2010, a review of the research division within the Department of Fisheries was
conducted by Mr Peter Neville from Queensland and Dr John McKoy from New
Zealand. The review confirmed the appropriateness of the current research
delivery model within the department. It also found that the quality of the
research was consistent with similar fisheries research organisations. It
recommended a number of whole-of-agency changes, principally in relation to
consultation and governance processes, to ensure that research was driven by
fisheries management needs with appropriate planning and project management. It
also recommended improved processes for the engagement of the department with
stakeholders. Following the review, a number of changes have been adopted,
including enhanced processes to ensure the department continues to provide high
quality research and fisheries management outcomes. This includes a
comprehensive risk-based regional approach to deliver ecosystem-based fisheries
management that is considered world leading. I table a copy of the report.
(3) The
responsibility for the government's third party certification
initiative lies with the Department of Fisheries, in close liaison with the
commercial fishing industry through the Western Australian Fishing Industry
Council.
(4) The
non-capture sector will have opportunities to be involved in third-party
assessment of individual fisheries through the certification process conducted
by the certifying body.
[See paper 4432.]
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