❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding a Fisheries Department trade mission to China and its potential impact on shark finning, with concerns raised about sustainability and illegal trade. The response details the mission's purpose, costs, and interactions, while defending WA's shark fishing practices.
AnsweredQoN 6220Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Referring to the article in the
Sunday Times
of 7 October 2012 titled
Hungry for WA Shark Fins
, I ask —
(1) Regarding the delegation to China led by the Fisheries Department and referred to in the article. Please provide details of the —
(a) nature and purpose of the trade mission;
(b) duration of the trip;
(c) name, position and role of each member of the delegation;
(d) countries visited; and
(e) total cost of the trip?
(2) Who funded the expenses of the delegation?
(3) What percentage of expenses was funded by —
(a) the Department of Fisheries; and
(b) any other government department or agency?
(4) Please provide full details of the companies and restaurants the delegation spoke to about purchasing Western Australian shark fins.
Conservation groups are concerned that the Western Australian government's trade mission will damage the campaign to reduce demand for shark fin soup that is central to efforts to control overfishing of sharks and the illegal shark fin trade.
(5) What is the Department of Fisheries policy on the illegal shark fin trade?
(6) The IUCN Shark Specialist group estimates that between 1,21 – 2,29 million metric tonnes of sharks are killed each year for the shark fin trade. How many tonnes of shark are killed annually in Western Australia?
(7) What percentage of the income from the Western Australian Southern Demersal Gillnet and Longline Fisheries (WASDGLF) does the export of shark fins currently represent?
(8) What percentage of the income from the WASDGLF comes from sale of edible shark meat?
(9) Please provide details about the department's role in the certification process, including timeframe and cost.
Sunday Times
of 7 October 2012 titled
Hungry for WA Shark Fins
, I ask —
(1) Regarding the delegation to China led by the Fisheries Department and referred to in the article. Please provide details of the —
(a) nature and purpose of the trade mission;
(b) duration of the trip;
(c) name, position and role of each member of the delegation;
(d) countries visited; and
(e) total cost of the trip?
(2) Who funded the expenses of the delegation?
(3) What percentage of expenses was funded by —
(a) the Department of Fisheries; and
(b) any other government department or agency?
(4) Please provide full details of the companies and restaurants the delegation spoke to about purchasing Western Australian shark fins.
Conservation groups are concerned that the Western Australian government's trade mission will damage the campaign to reduce demand for shark fin soup that is central to efforts to control overfishing of sharks and the illegal shark fin trade.
(5) What is the Department of Fisheries policy on the illegal shark fin trade?
(6) The IUCN Shark Specialist group estimates that between 1,21 – 2,29 million metric tonnes of sharks are killed each year for the shark fin trade. How many tonnes of shark are killed annually in Western Australia?
(7) What percentage of the income from the Western Australian Southern Demersal Gillnet and Longline Fisheries (WASDGLF) does the export of shark fins currently represent?
(8) What percentage of the income from the WASDGLF comes from sale of edible shark meat?
(9) Please provide details about the department's role in the certification process, including timeframe and cost.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
28 days
(1)
(a) The vast majority of Western Australian seafood is now consumed in North Asia, with the bulk of this product being distributed through Hong Kong. Export trends suggest that north Asia will continue to be the leading market for WA seafood so it is imperative that our producers understand this market and have a profile among buyers. To ensure this occurs, an opportunity was provided for emerging leaders in the Western Australian fishing industry to join the delegation and get some first-hand experience in the Asian seafood industry.
(b) 6 days.
(c) Mr Stuart Smith, Director General, Department of Fisheries
Mr David Griffiths, Principal Policy Adviser to Minister Moore
Mr John Harrison*, Chief Executive Officer, Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC)
Mr John Sharland, Endeavor Foods
Mr Marcus Tromp*, Dragon King Abalone
Mr Terry Parish, Director, WRLC
Mr Phillip Clarke*, Focus Fisheries
Mr Bruce Cockman*, Director Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) & Brefjen Nominees
Mr Andrew Rowe, Dragon King Abalone
Mr Clayton Nelson*, Director (WAFIC) & One Sea
Mr James Paratore, Vice Chair (WAFIC) & Blue Seas Fremantle
Mr John Cordin*, Austral Fisheries
Mr Crispian Ashby, Programs Manager, Australian Government Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Mr Richard Stevens from WAFIC and Mr John Newby, Chair WRLC, were in attendance at ASE, however were not formally part of the delegation.
*
denotes those delegates who received a $3,000 bursary from the Western Australian Government.
(d) China, Hong Kong and Macau.
(e) The cost to the Western Australian Government was $27,608. These costs were incurred by Mr Smith and Mr Griffiths, totalling $9,608, as well as the six $3,000 bursaries that were provided to assist some industry members with the costs of the delegation. Additional costs incurred by other delegation members are not known.
(2)-(3) The Department of Fisheries funded 100% of the costs of Mr Smith and Mr Griffithsas well as the $3,000 bursaries. All other delegation members covered their own
costs.
(4) The delegation did not speak to any companies or restaurants specifically about purchasing Western Australian sourced shark fin. The issue of shark fins was discussed during some meetings while trying to get feedback regarding the WA Government's $14.5 million commitment to seek third party sustainability certification for the State's commercial fisheries through the world recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The delegation met with the following organisations relevant to the question:
· Shanghai Fisheries Trade Association;
· Shanghai Oriental International Fish Markets;
· Marine Stewardship Council;
· Harbour Grand Hotel Hong Kong;
· The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel - Macau;
· The Crown Group - City of Dreams - Macau; and
· Aberdeen Fish Markets - Hong Kong.
It is important to note that all shark in Western Australia is caught for the value of its flesh as a food source, not for the value of the fins. In instances where the fins are sold, these sales provide a supplement to the income of the fishers concerned.
(5) The Department of Fisheries does not support the illegal trade of shark fin. Western Australia has legislation specifically prohibiting the disposal of the trunk of a shark at sea where only the fins are retained.
The Department of Fisheries supports the sustainable and full use of fisheries resources, which in the case of sharks includes their fins.
(6) The 2010/2011 State of the Fisheries report illustrates that there was 1,212.9 tonnes of shark taken in Western Australia during the reporting period.
(7) It is assumed for questions (7) and (8) that the member is referring to the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fisheries, comprising of the Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery and the West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery.
It is not possible to determine how much of the shark fin is exported as this is a matter for the seafood processor. Based on fins being 3% of the whole weight of the shark species landed (and a value of $35/kg), the value of fins would be around 20% of the Gross Value of Production of these two fisheries.
(8) The sale of edible shark meat makes up around 80% of the Gross Value of Production of the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fisheries. Edible shark meat includes the fins.
If the member is asking what percentage of income is derived from the sale of edible shark meat excluding the fins, then the answer is approximately 60%. The remainder of the income is derived from the sale of demersal scalefish taken as a part of their fishing operations.
(9) In the first 12 to 24 months of this project, the Department of Fisheries' primary role will be to facilitate the pre assessment of Western Australia's commercial fisheries to the MSC standard. Those fisheries that subsequently choose to pursue full certification under the MSC banner will then be funded and supported through this process by the Department. The process is expected to run for many years and the Western Australian Government has committed $14.5m to the project via the Department of Fisheries. The MSC certification process is being conducted in close consultation and partnership with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, the peak body for commercial fishing and aquaculture in Western Australia. Other stakeholders, such as conservation and recreational fishing interests are also expected to participate in the consultation process.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(a) The vast majority of Western Australian seafood is now consumed in North Asia, with the bulk of this product being distributed through Hong Kong. Export trends suggest that north Asia will continue to be the leading market for WA seafood so it is imperative that our producers understand this market and have a profile among buyers. To ensure this occurs, an opportunity was provided for emerging leaders in the Western Australian fishing industry to join the delegation and get some first-hand experience in the Asian seafood industry.
(b) 6 days.
(c) Mr Stuart Smith, Director General, Department of Fisheries
Mr David Griffiths, Principal Policy Adviser to Minister Moore
Mr John Harrison*, Chief Executive Officer, Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC)
Mr John Sharland, Endeavor Foods
Mr Marcus Tromp*, Dragon King Abalone
Mr Terry Parish, Director, WRLC
Mr Phillip Clarke*, Focus Fisheries
Mr Bruce Cockman*, Director Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) & Brefjen Nominees
Mr Andrew Rowe, Dragon King Abalone
Mr Clayton Nelson*, Director (WAFIC) & One Sea
Mr James Paratore, Vice Chair (WAFIC) & Blue Seas Fremantle
Mr John Cordin*, Austral Fisheries
Mr Crispian Ashby, Programs Manager, Australian Government Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Mr Richard Stevens from WAFIC and Mr John Newby, Chair WRLC, were in attendance at ASE, however were not formally part of the delegation.
*
denotes those delegates who received a $3,000 bursary from the Western Australian Government.
(d) China, Hong Kong and Macau.
(e) The cost to the Western Australian Government was $27,608. These costs were incurred by Mr Smith and Mr Griffiths, totalling $9,608, as well as the six $3,000 bursaries that were provided to assist some industry members with the costs of the delegation. Additional costs incurred by other delegation members are not known.
(2)-(3) The Department of Fisheries funded 100% of the costs of Mr Smith and Mr Griffithsas well as the $3,000 bursaries. All other delegation members covered their own
costs.
(4) The delegation did not speak to any companies or restaurants specifically about purchasing Western Australian sourced shark fin. The issue of shark fins was discussed during some meetings while trying to get feedback regarding the WA Government's $14.5 million commitment to seek third party sustainability certification for the State's commercial fisheries through the world recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The delegation met with the following organisations relevant to the question:
· Shanghai Fisheries Trade Association;
· Shanghai Oriental International Fish Markets;
· Marine Stewardship Council;
· Harbour Grand Hotel Hong Kong;
· The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel - Macau;
· The Crown Group - City of Dreams - Macau; and
· Aberdeen Fish Markets - Hong Kong.
It is important to note that all shark in Western Australia is caught for the value of its flesh as a food source, not for the value of the fins. In instances where the fins are sold, these sales provide a supplement to the income of the fishers concerned.
(5) The Department of Fisheries does not support the illegal trade of shark fin. Western Australia has legislation specifically prohibiting the disposal of the trunk of a shark at sea where only the fins are retained.
The Department of Fisheries supports the sustainable and full use of fisheries resources, which in the case of sharks includes their fins.
(6) The 2010/2011 State of the Fisheries report illustrates that there was 1,212.9 tonnes of shark taken in Western Australia during the reporting period.
(7) It is assumed for questions (7) and (8) that the member is referring to the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fisheries, comprising of the Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery and the West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery.
It is not possible to determine how much of the shark fin is exported as this is a matter for the seafood processor. Based on fins being 3% of the whole weight of the shark species landed (and a value of $35/kg), the value of fins would be around 20% of the Gross Value of Production of these two fisheries.
(8) The sale of edible shark meat makes up around 80% of the Gross Value of Production of the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fisheries. Edible shark meat includes the fins.
If the member is asking what percentage of income is derived from the sale of edible shark meat excluding the fins, then the answer is approximately 60%. The remainder of the income is derived from the sale of demersal scalefish taken as a part of their fishing operations.
(9) In the first 12 to 24 months of this project, the Department of Fisheries' primary role will be to facilitate the pre assessment of Western Australia's commercial fisheries to the MSC standard. Those fisheries that subsequently choose to pursue full certification under the MSC banner will then be funded and supported through this process by the Department. The process is expected to run for many years and the Western Australian Government has committed $14.5m to the project via the Department of Fisheries. The MSC certification process is being conducted in close consultation and partnership with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, the peak body for commercial fishing and aquaculture in Western Australia. Other stakeholders, such as conservation and recreational fishing interests are also expected to participate in the consultation process.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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