Hon. Darren West questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding quota allocation methodologies in the Western and Southern Rock Lobster fisheries, and access to deep sea crab resources, highlighting inconsistencies in allocation approaches.

AnsweredQoN 268Legislative Council
Asked
23 March 2016
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER FISHERY AND DEEP SEA CRAB —
QUOTA ALLOCATION
268. Hon DARREN WEST to the Minister for
Fisheries:
I refer to quota allocations in the
rock lobster fishery.
(1) Was catch
history permitted in quota allocation in the western rock lobster fishery; and,
if not, why not?
(2) Was catch history used to
allocate access in the southern rock lobster fishery; and, if yes, why?
(3) Was access to
deep sea crab on the west coast, condition 106, allocated equally among
condition holders; and, if yes, why?
(4) Was access to
deep sea crab on the south coast, condition 105, not allocated equally among
condition holders; and, if so, why?
(5) Why was
access to deep sea crab on the south coast, condition 105, allocated on rock
lobster catch history, particularly when this was inconsistent with what the
access and allocation panel recommended?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question.
(1) No. Quota allocation was based
on units of entitlement held within the fishery.
(2) Access and
entitlement to zones 2 and 4 of the south coast crustacean fishery, which
provides for the take of rock lobster and deep sea crab, was based on a combination
of a prior access authorisation and catch history. Access in zones 1 and 3 was
based on prior access authorisation. The determination of access and levels of
entitlement granted reflect the circumstances in that fishery.
(3) Yes. Allocation was based on
existing entitlement within the fishery.
(4) See answer to (2).
(5) See answer to
(2). Access and levels of entitlement were determined having regard to all
relevant information, including recommendations of the independent access and
allocation panel.

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