a majority liberal government will
- Provide $3 million of support to our fisheries sector, including:
- $1 million each year for two years for a Wild Fisheries Action Plan to support the sector make boat improvements and adopt new technologies, re-skill and upskill workers, value-add and diversify, and develop markets and supply chains.
- Support emerging marine industries with an investment of $250,000 over two years.
- Assist with the development of Aboriginal cultural fisheries with $250,000 over the next two years.
- Provide $350,000 for immediate oyster industry levy relief.
- Deliver $150,000 over three years for the Tasmanian Seafood Trails site.
- $1 million each year for two years for a Wild Fisheries Action Plan to support the sector make boat improvements and adopt new technologies, re-skill and upskill workers, value-add and diversify, and develop markets and supply chains.
Tasmania’s wild fisheries, including abalone, scalefish and rock lobster, are an integral part of our economy.
They underpin the Tasmanian brand and our reputation as a producer of
premium seafood.
The sector is worth around $187 million annually to the State’s economy and, importantly, employs hundreds of Tasmanians, many in rural and regional
areas.
Additionally, Tasmania has an established oyster industry, with around 60 growers, and an annual value of around $28 million.
While COVID significantly impacted the sector, the Government has been actively engaging with the industry throughout, and has provided around $6.5
million in direct support.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide additional support to our fisheries sector to help secure its future.
$1 million each year for two years for a Wild Fisheries Action Plan to support the sector
Over two years, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $1 million a year in additional funding to develop and implement a new action plan
in partnership with the wild fisheries sector.
This will include –
- Support for the sector to make boat improvements to meet compliance requirements and adopt new technologies, such as safety upgrades and equipment for electronic catch and effort returns. It will also include $100,000 over two years to assist the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council continue its educational work to improve maritime safety.
- Support reskilling and upskilling across the wild fisheries sector, such as supporting deckhands to obtain a coxswains certificate of competency and for current skippers to upgrade qualifications, providing a more versatile workforce with a broader range of industry options.
- Support processors to embrace value-adding and diversification infrastructure for activities including cooking, freezing and packaging. Seafood processors have faced significant market impacts over the recent period, and new funding will assist them to look at supplying different products to new and established markets.
- Support further development of markets and supply chains. Tasmanian seafood must find new market opportunities, both within Australia, notably the eastern Australian seaboard, and internationally. This will also include $150,000 over two years to the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council to continue its Eat More Seafood campaign.
Support emerging marine industries with an investment of $250,000 over two years.
Marine bioproducts and biotechnology is a fast growing field of science and technology.
It provides new opportunities for existing industries as well as supporting the development of new industries including nutraceuticals, biomaterials, and pharmaceuticals.
A commitment of $250,000 in total over two years will support our work with IMAS on research and development of potentially valuable emerging industries such as seaweed, as well helping develop important opportunities such as native oysters (Ostrea Angasi).
Assist with the development of Aboriginal cultural fisheries with $250,000 over the next two years.
The Tasmanian Liberals recognise the Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s deep and continuous historical connection to the land and sea of Tasmania.
We recognise that the cultural harvesting of natural products by Tasmanian Aboriginal people is essential to maintaining and reviving cultural practices.
We are, and will continue to, work with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities for further access to marine resources.
A commitment of $250,000 in total over two years will support consultation with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, as well as commercial and recreational
fishers, to identify options for indigenous and cultural fisheries development in Tasmania.
This builds on work underway with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, who have engaged IMAS to undertake a business analysis of options for cultural
fisheries development.
Provide $350,000 for immediate oyster industry levy relief
Tasmania’s oyster industry consists of around 60 growers, and normally has a value of around $28m annually.
However, the industry has been impacted by the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome, and more recently by COVID.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $350,000 to oyster growers for levy relief for the Shellfish Market Access Program, subsidising
approximately 50 per cent of the total cost.
The ShellMap program is a key part of a successful industry, and provides regulatory services that are consistent with the Australian Shellfish Quality
Assurance Program to ensure that Tasmanian shellfish may be enjoyed safely.
Deliver $150,000 over three years for the Tasmanian Seafood Trails site
A vital component of the Tasmanian seafood industry is the seafood consumer, both locals and visiting tourists.
Supporting the ability of consumers to find quality Tasmanian seafood service outlets and experiences is a priority for the Tasmanian Seafood
Industry Council (TSIC).
TSIC has already invested over $150,000 to develop the Seafood Trails Tasmania site –
www.seafoodtrails.com.au - which provides an easy-to-use seafood navigation experience, including stories, photos, videos and links to retail and food service outlets that provide quality Tasmanian seafood.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $150,000 in total over three years to support TSIC to continue promotion and development of this
initiative, benefiting our whole seafood sector.
Work currently
underway:
- Progressing the $5 million Fisheries Digital Transition Project, including delivering FishPort, an online portal to streamline licensing for the commercial wild-capture marine fishing industry.
- Progressing amendments to the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 and the Fishing (Licence Ownership and Interest) Registration Act 2001 to modernise processes and make it easier for fishers to report their catches electronically.
Our record in Government:
- $300,000 over four years for the East Coast Rock Lobster Translocation program.
- $5.5 million to waive licence fees and levies during COVID-19.
- $663,000 in further fee relief for commercial wild fishers.
- Adjusted management approaches to enable rollover of rock lobster quota.
- Enabled $300,000 through the Tasmanian Abalone Council to be used for canning of product during market closures.
- $360,000 to the Stay Afloat Mental Health Program.
- Maintained a moratorium on new Marine Protected Areas in state waters.
- $400,000 partnership with industry for Shellfish Market Access Program (ShellMap).
- $200,000 per year to the Abalone Industry Development Fund to develop new markets and maintain sustainability.
- Established a $5.1 million, 5-year Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund.
- $14 million to IMAS for fishing-related research and development.
- $150,000 to Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council to improve safety.
- $1.84 million to Rural Alive and Well, including seafood sector.
- $800,000 to Rural Financial Counselling Services including seafood sector.
Costing:
The cost of this policy is $3 million over three years.