THE NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has announced the start of the tender process for a peak body representing the commercial fishing industry.
Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to improving the viability of the commercial fishing industry and this body will be the collective voice of the industry, providing industry leadership throughout the continuation of the reforms.
“This initiative is the next step of the NSW Government’s response to the Independent Review of NSW Commercial Fisheries Policy, Management and Administration,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“One of the supported recommendations was the need for a body to ‘provide fishing industry views to government on an industry-wide, regional and to a lesser extent an individual fisher basis’.
“An independent expert was commissioned to assist in the design of the peak industry body and to guide the process to meet the needs of both industry and Government. This included thorough consultation with the Professional Fisherman’s Association and the industry.
“The successful body will be required to have adequate knowledge across the commercial fishing industry sectors Statewide, for example lobster, abalone, trawl, trap, line and estuary.
“The peak body will deliver feedback and advice to the Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council, the Department of Primary Industries, and the Minister.
Tenders close 18 December 2013. More information at tenders.nsw.gov.au
