Search

In the face of an increasingly variable climate, the Commonwealth Government provides a range of assistance to farmers and primary producers. During the review period, Australia reformed its drought assistance driven by the 2008 National Review of Drought Policy. In 2013, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on National Drought Program Reform that outlines a new approach to drought programmes and aims to encourage farmers to prepare for, and manage the effects of, drought and other challenges, rather than relying on government support. A key step in this direction was the closure of the Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy on 30 June 2012, as well as that of the Exceptional Circumstances Arrangements on 30 June 2014. On 26 February 2014, as a result of prolonged and severe drought in some areas of Australia, a temporary $A 320 million drought assistance package was introduced for 2013/14 and 2014/15 only and included: more generous criteria for accessing income support as from early March 2014; drought concessional loans totalling $A 280 million for debt-restructuring, operating expenses and drought recovery and preparedness activities; assistance of up to $A 12 million for the installation of water related infrastructure; and, $A 10 million assistance to help reduce the impact of pest animals in drought affected areas. Furthermore, under the Water for the Future headline initiative, the 2013 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin programme involves purchasing of unencumbered water entitlements and encourages enhanced irrigation efficiency. Water savings generated through the use of these programmes are shared between proponents and the environment with at least 50% of the water savings transferred to the Commonwealth Government.

(…) A range of initiatives and measures have continued to improve fisheries' management and thus the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the sector.

(...) A range of initiatives and measures have continued to improve fisheries' management and thus the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the sector.

Australia continues to implement a range of initiatives and measures to improve fisheries management and ensure the sustainability of fish stocks for the long-term viability of the industry. (…) Australia reviewed, inter alia, its 2007 Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines (completed in 2013), and released the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch in May 2013, and the second National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-plan 2), in July 2012. Key priorities for 2013-14 included simplifying the regulatory environment, and managing ecological and compliance risks. The Fisheries Legislation Amendment Act 2013 strengthened provisions making corporations and other persons responsible for any unlawful conduct engaged in by their employees, agents or directors in particular circumstances. Industry became a partner in managing Commonwealth fisheries with amendments to fisheries-management legislation in 2010/11 enabling the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to enter into co management arrangements, giving powers and functions to primary stakeholders in individual fisheries

Australia's key commercial stocks are managed in accordance with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines which applies an evidence-based, precautionary approach to setting catch levels. Resource Assessment Groups provide advice on the status of fish stocks and the impact of fishing on the marine environment, including recommendations to the AFMA Commission on issues such as: the setting of total allowable catches (TACs); stock rebuilding targets; biological and economic reference points; and risk assessments. AFMA sets the TAC based on estimates of the take by state commercial fishers and recreational anglers as well as other mortality sources. By October 2013, Australian fish stocks were considered in good shape as key wild fish stocks were largely sustainable. Of the 93 Commonwealth managed stocks assessed in 2012, 63 were classified as not overfished (59 in 2009) and 77 stocks are classified as not subject to overfishing (73 in 2009); 9 stocks were classified as overfished (12 in 2009) and 4 stocks as subject to overfishing (10 in 2009). Similarly stocks managed by state and Northern Territory governments appear to be in generally good condition, with the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Report 2012 indicating that most stocks were neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.

Only Australian or Australian-declared (see below) boats are authorized to fish under a fishing permit or statutory fishing right granted by AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority). [51] (...)

[51] AFMA allocates statutory fishing rights for access to the resources of each fishery, in which many fishers have individually tradable quotas (ITQs) or shares of the resource assigned as a proportion of the total allowable catch determined by AFMA each year. Where ITQs are not used, AFMA uses a direct permit system to specify the amount of catch each concession-holder can take in a fishing season (Borthwick, 2012; and OECD, 2013e.).

(...) A foreign boat is not permitted to enter an Australian port unless it is authorized by a port permit granted by AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority). A person must not land fish at an Australian port from a foreign boat unless the Minister responsible for fishing has expressly authorized that person to do so. A foreign-flagged vessel may be declared an Australian vessel for the purposes of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 on application to AFMA, provided that it meets certain criteria. Access for foreign fishing fleets to Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) is provided through three agreements. According to a 2013 OECD report, the evolution in the domestic fleet means that no future access for foreign vessels to the Australian EEZ is likely to be granted as Australia no longer has excess fish stocks.

Adjustment assistance has only been used in special circumstances to facilitate the introduction of new fisheries-management arrangements. Where marine reserves create additional requirements for fishing-reduction efforts beyond that required for achieving fisheries management objectives, Government-funded adjustment assistance/compensation may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Under the Caring for our Country programme (section 4.2.2.2), a programme of the previous Government, support has been available to improve management practices in aquaculture. A decline in annual expenditure under the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Program (terminated in June 2010) has seen the estimated effective rates of combined assistance for fisheries decrease from a high of 12% (2006/07) to 3.3% (2011/12). While budgetary assistance under the industry specific Fisheries Structural Adjustment Program has dropped progressively by 89.2% since 2008/09 to $A 1.8 million (2010/11), fishing industry R&D funding remained stable. Following the announcement of the final network of new marine reserves in June 2012, around $A 100 million of fisheries adjustment assistance funding was to assist the commercial fishing industry adjust to the introduction of the new marine reserves. The package was to include: transitional business assistance in the form of payments to fishing businesses; competitive grants to improve the long-term sustainability of fisheries displaced by the marine reserves; and reduction of commercial fishing through the purchase of individual fisher's entitlements or quota units in fisheries, where appropriate, up to the level of production displaced by the new marine reserves. However, consistent with its commitment for a more competitive and sustainable fisheries sector, the current Government will review the management plans for the Commonwealth marine reserves announced in November 2012. It intends to appoint a scientific review panel and bioregional advisory panels to provide advice on future marine reserve-management arrangements. Until the results of the review are finalised, any fisheries' compensation has been placed on hold

During the review period, Australia continued its strong action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Its National Fisheries Compliance Strategy 2010-15 outlines the objectives that fisheries agencies will pursue to promote voluntary compliance and create effective deterrence to illegal fishing activities. Australia is also working with its northern neighbours to reduce IUU fishing and improve fisheries management and governance. Between 2005/06 and 2013/14, the number of illegal fishing vessels apprehended declined by 93%.

Australia ratified both the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources of the South Pacific Ocean in March 2012 (entry in force June 2012 and August 2012 respectively), and was in the process of ratifying the Food and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Agreement (signed on 27 April 2010) at end-2014. Other activities during the review period included participating in bilateral cooperation with Indonesia, and continued engagement with northern neighbours as part of the Regional Plan of Action to promote responsible fishing practices and combat IUU fishing in the Southeast Asian region.