MARINE SCALEFISH FISHERY

In reply to Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (25 October 2006).

The Hon. R.J. McEWEN (Mount Gambier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests): The restructure of the marine scalefish net fishery resulted in the removal of 61 net endorsements and a reduction of 44.7 per cent in the annual average net fishing effort in the marine scalefish fishery. Five additional areas closed to net fishing were introduced as a result of the restructure, with the largest area being around Yorke Peninsula.

There are currently eight regional offices across South Australia from which Fisheries Compliance Officers operate. There has been no increase in Fisheries Compliance services as a result of the restructure and the increase in no-netting areas as coastal waters were already regularly patrolled to monitor a range of fishing activities. Fisheries Compliance service levels attributed to the commercial sector have decreased for the current financial year, but total costs have slightly increased due to a change in the daily charge out rate under the government's transparent cost recovery policy. Under the cost recovery policy only those management and compliance costs attributed to the commercial sector are charged to that sector under annual fishery licence fees.