Lobster fishery votes for review

AN independent review will be undertaken into the rules and regulations that govern Tasmania’s commercial rock lobster fishery, the Mercury can reveal.

A motion by cray fisher John Parker for the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association to conduct an independent review of the industry through an external reviewer was passed at the association’s annual general meeting yesterday.

Mr Parker said in his motion there were concerns with red tape, having to report unloading locations by telephone, strict rules about movement between zones and other issues.

Association chief executive John Sansom said the board and members would look at what aspects of the rules and regulations could be discussed.

“The members have decided it and that’s what we’ll do,” Mr Sansom said.

Two other motions in the agenda for yesterday’s meeting included votes of no confidence from commercial fishers in the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, as well as in the association and Mr Sansom.

The lack of confidence in DPIPWE related to management of the fishery, while the association motion related to issues with representation of members. However, Mr Sansom said the two motions were withdrawn.

“The people ... chose not to present the motion,” he said.

The fishers’ discontent stems from concerns from some fishers under the commercial quota system, first introduced in 1998.

Concerns related to quota reductions, from a 145kg per pot limit in the late 1990s to the current 100kg limit. Other issues related to reductions in season dates and the East Coast catch cap.