Committee for $45m Shark Bay, Exmouth fishing industry boosted

The advisory body for the $45 million Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf trawl fishing industry has had been strengthened, with three new members appointed.

The Joint Trawl Management Advisory Committee has added Greg Hart, Brett Hogan and Ashlee Jones to its existing panel of eight members.

The committee members have a wide ranging expertise in commercial fishing, recreational fishing and community matters.

The Joint Trawl MAC, which was established in late 2002 and provides advice on the management and protection of the prawn and scallop fisheries in Shark Bay and Exmouth areas.

Fisheries Minister Jon Ford said that these fisheries landed a total catch of 4760 tonnes of prawns and scallops in 2004, and provided employment for skippers and crews of 53 boats.

"King, Tiger, Endeavour, Banana and Coral prawns from the fisheries are popular with consumers, and the Southern Saucer scallop from Shark Bay is the basis of a valuable scallop fishery," he said.

"In addition to the three new and eight reappointed members, John Fuhrmann continues as Chair of the Joint Trawl MAC."

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Three new faces in the Joint Trawl Management Advisory Committee

24/04/06

Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has appointed three new members to the committee that provides him with advice on matters relating to Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf trawl fishing.

Eight members with expertise in commercial fishing, recreational fishing and community matters have been reappointed to the Joint Trawl Management Advisory Committee (MAC).

"The Joint Trawl MAC, which was established in late 2002, provides valuable advice and insight on the management and protection of the prawn and scallop fisheries in those areas," Mr Ford said.

"These fisheries landed a total catch of 4760 tonnes of prawns and scallops and had a combined value of about $45million in 2004, providing employment for skippers and crews of 53 boats.

"King, Tiger, Endeavour, Banana and Coral prawns from the fisheries are popular with consumers, and the Southern Saucer scallop from Shark Bay is the basis of a valuable scallop fishery."

Nominations for committee members were sought from industry groups and licensees, Recfishwest, the Conservation Council and the WA Marine and Coastal Community Network.

"The three new members of the MAC include Greg Hart and Brett Hogan, with expertise relevant to the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Fishery and the Shark Bay Prawn Fishery respectively, as well as Ashlee Jones who brings expertise in the conservation arena to the committee.

"I also look forward to the continued contribution on commercial sector issues from Daryl Elmer, Stephen Hood, Hamish Ch'ng, Geoff McGowan, Rod Johnson and Ian Ricciardi. Keith Tocas and Antonia Hodby will also continue as members of the MAC, providing input on recreational fishing and community issues respectively."

"In addition to the three new and eight reappointed members, John Fuhrmann continues as Chair of the Joint Trawl MAC.

"The Executive Director of the Department of Fisheries is also a member and his nominee will be Dr Lindsay Joll," Mr Ford said.

The Minister said he looked forward to the contributions that the members could make to the advisory committee in helping it achieve the key management goal - fish for the future.

"These prawn and scallop fisheries operate under strict controls, which include limits on the number of boats, season and fishing area controls, fishing closures over the full moon and strict controls on the gear which can be used.

"As with all the WA fisheries we manage, the controls are targeted towards the sustainability and the vital goal of providing fish for the future."