1. West Coast Rock Lobster Annual Management Meetings 2016

2. Background Management focus for 2016 and beyond TACC setting
Weight of evidence - scope for increasing TACC
Summary of Management arrangements implemented in 2016

3. Pot specifications
Updating and simplifying specifications outlined under schedule 13 of the FRMR
Pot type
Current dimensions
Amended
Beehive
Stick and/or cane
Diameter - 975mm
Height – 470mm
(measured externally)
Other material
Diameter – 925mm
Height – 420mm
(measured internally)
Width – no more than 1m
Height – no more than 50cm
Batten
Length – 915mm
Width – 800mm base width
or 540mm top width
Internal volume
Must not be greater than 0.257mᵌ NA
Following consultation (WRLC and Recfishwest) the Minister for Fisheries approved
Also included in simplification is requirements around escape gaps and materials of construction

4. Proposed Plan amendments
Approved Landing Areas (ALAs)
ALAs not used in last three years or that pose potential OHS risk are proposed to be removed from the Plan
Potential inclusion of Augusta Marina and Big Pigeon as ALAs
Amendments currently subject to consultation – implemented within 6 months if industry in agreement

5. Proposed Plan amendments
Pot storage areas
Removal of pot storage areas as it is obsolete and no longer required
Holding areas
Amend schedule 12 to remove individual holding areas, replacing with the definition of Abrolhos Islands FHPA which encompass all existing holding areas
Holding tags
To reduce double handling and high grading it is proposed that holding tags be removed therefore only requiring landing tags
Amendments currently subject to consultation – implemented within 6 months if industry in agreement
Holding areas (8 holding areas)
Replace holding areas with definition of Abrolhos Islands FHPA which encompasses existing holding areas (mostly jetties)
Holding tags
Leg loss = significant implications on egg production
Note, landing tags will be permitted if holding lobster at Abrolhos Islands FHPA

6. Proposed FRMR amendments
Floats
Proposal to allow floats to be branded or stamped with MFL number allowing multiple operators (under the one MFL) to use same floats
Labelling requirements (crate)
Amending label requirements to only state MFL and/or MFL and Masters name
Amendments currently subject to consultation– implemented within 6 months if industry in agreement
Floats
Current requirements constraining some operators wanting to use multiple boats with the one floats
MFL allow those wishing to have flexibility to switch boats
Potential MFL (flexibility to use multiple boats without swapping floats) or stay with LFB (current requirements)
Phase in period to minimise costs to industry
Labelling
Currently requires name, principal residence of Master, the LFB number used to take the lobster and the zone in which is was taken
Simplify

7. Exemptions Setose Pot usage
Exemption required should industry wish to continue with setose trial (taking, possession, consignment and sale of) for period 1 July 2016 to 31 October 2016
Pot usage
Exemption required to permit increased pot usage outside the new whale mitigation period (from 1 November 2016 to 14 January 2017)
Setose
Further opportunity to assess marketability of setose
Put usage
Remaining quota (as Simon mentioned) industry may wish to implement increased pot usage, as done earlier this year.
Noting the Minister has approved the new whale mitigation dates (now ending 31 October).
Management Plan required to be amended if industry want as a permanent arrangement.

8. Industry levy MSC levy Big Bank
The levy will be used to fund ongoing MSC re-accreditation and other marketing and promotional activities related to MSC
The levy will be set at $300 per MFL and will be included with grant and MFL renewals
Scheduled to be implemented with 2017 licence period
Big Bank
Long-term management
MSC levy
Minister for Fisheries has approved the drafting of regulations under the Fishing Industry Promotion Training and Management Levy Act to enable the implementation of an annual levy
First time the Levy Act will be used
Big Bank
Dept will continue to work with industry over the long-term management of Big Bank

9. Fees West Coast Rock Lobster 2016/17 fees
LICENCE ACCESS FEES AS A PERCENTAGE OF GVP
Fishery
GVP (2012/13)
GVP (2013/14)
GVP (2014/15)
Average GVP
Fee based on Average GVP 5%
WAFIC 0.5%
FRDC 0.25%
TOTAL
West Coast Rock Lobster
234,491,497
318,182,078
379,076,219
310,583,265
15,529,163
1,552,916
776,458
17,858,538
2015/16 WCRL Fee for Comparison
LICENCE ACCESS FEES AS A PERCENTAGE OF GVP
GVP (2011/12)
175,947,585
242,873,720
12,143,686
1,214,369
607,184
13,965,239
Method – access fees calculated using 5.75% of the GVP averaged over 3 years
The increase in the TOTAL (approx 27%) from 2016 is a result of the Average GVP increasing (approx 27%) – this is related to the 2011/12 year of GVP (which was low) falling away/not included in 2017 fee calculation.
Differing unit values/TACC per Zone in the past
Anomalies to smooth out in the future – i.e. A and B Zone consistent TACC since 2013
Likely fees will continue to increase with the 2012/13 GVP year falling away/not being included in 2017/18 and replaced with likely higher GVP (2015/16)
The total does not include the Fish Eye contribution, which remains at $0.51 per unit which amounts to approx $395,000

10. Fees Expected Total fees by Year Fees per unit – 2016 fees v 2017 fees
Zone
2015/16
No Units
Fee per unit
2016/17 A
$2,318,027
186,300
$12.44
$3,367,351
$18.07 B
$4,749,444
230,936
$20.57
$6,011,785
$26.03 C
$6,897,767
357,350
$19.30
$8,479,402
$23.73
Total
$13,965,239
$17,858,538
A Zone increase due to:
Lower number of units
Prior to 2013 lower TACC for A Zone
Lower TACC not being included in 2016/2017 GVP calculations
The increase in the total from 2016 is a result of the average GVP increasing – which is related to the low year of GVP (2011/12) falling away/not included in 2017 fee calculation.