How has the Australian commercial fishing industry progressed in the past few years and how would you say it fits in with other world fishing nations?
Over the past five years value of fisheries production in Australia has increased by 40% from $A1.77 billion to $A2.48 billion. The value of 'wild caught' fisheries still dominates the Australian fishing industry, accounting for $A1.73 billion, or 70% of total fisheries production. Aquaculture too has enjoyed similar growth over the last three years, increasing by 23% in value to a total of $A 746 million. Much of this growth has been derived from improved management and operating efficiencies, marketing, and the development of both new and established fisheries.
The Australian industry in the past was largely based on coastal trawl fisheries and one of the major changes in recent years has been the move into long line fishing for tuna and billfish species, and the development of value added and fresh chilled product for Asian markets. The Australian industry is also extending its fishing efforts on to the high seas resulting in the development of distant water fisheries that benefit this country. This pioneering spirit has also been evident domestically as well over recent years, as illustrated by the Southern Blue fin Tuna (SBT) farming operations based out of Port Lincoln in South Australia. SBT farming is a mixture of wild catch fishing and aquaculture; these techniques that were developed in Australia have provided a brilliant model that has been adopted in many countries. It provides a basis for maximising profits, and if the wild catch portion of the process is managed properly, conserving stocks.
The Australian industry has gone through periods of significant adjustment, reducing the capacity of our fleets to improve the sustainability of our fisheries resources, and improve the profitability of the remaining operators. Obviously this has not been a painless exercise, however it demonstrates the commitment of both the Australian industry and managers to ensuring that the nation's resource is still as viable in 40 years as it is today.
Australia is aware that it is not blessed with fisheries resources comparable to other areas on the planet, and takes the conservation of its stocks very seriously. This said, it is important that precautionary fisheries management does not limit the legitimate expansion of Australia's fleet into new areas and fisheries.
How would you like to see it develop in the next few years?
I would like to see the industry develop in several key ways, these include continued improvements in operational efficiencies and competitiveness, participation in the ecological sustainable development of Australia's resources, streamlined management, strengthened access rights, increased high seas capacity, increased participation in aquaculture, particularly by our indigenous population, a clear and equitable framework for resource sharing between sectors, and of course increased value adding and innovation applied to the industry's raw products.
If we as a country can promote the seafood industry to develop along these lines it will maintain its tradition of developing and implementing world's best practice processes and protocols. This is especially true with regard to ecologically sustainable development. With increasing pressure on global fish stocks Australia is committed to ensuring that our nation's resources are still available for future generations of Australians to harvest and farm, whilst ensuring that the Government and fisheries management agencies do not unduly impede the legitimate development of this great industry.
It is extremely important that the seafood industry continues to strive for productivity gains through improved operational procedures and efficiencies. The key driver behind this requirement is Australia's policy not to subsidise its primary industries, this in some cases does make it more difficult for Australia's producers to compete with heavily subsidised commodities. However, as we move towards an environment of free trade this nation's primary producers will be extremely well placed to compete on the global stage as they are doing at present.
Streamlined management and strengthened access rights are two aspects that are in the process of being applied to the seafood industry, this application has been happening for several years now. I see this as an important evolution in the Australian seafood industry that achieves two major outcomes. They are long-term access security to a community owned resource, further promoting its sustainable harvest and development, and just as importantly providing the required certainty to attract appropriate levels of investment in the industry.
For Australia it is important that we further build both our wild catch and aquaculture capacity. The world's southern hemisphere oceans to date have not suffered the extreme pressures that many Northern hemisphere oceans have had placed on them. It is the duty of countries like Australia to lead the way in responsibly harvesting the resources available in these oceans. This development will play a significant global role, as the demand for seafood increases and the wild catch portion of supply stabilises, it leaves aquaculture perfectly positioned to fill the growing void between supply and demand. The growth that has been exhibited in the aquaculture industry also provides a platform for greater engagement of our indigenous communities.
Over the last decade there has been substantial growth in the recreational and charter sectors of the fishing industry. This comes as no surprise as Australia boasts some of the best game fishing on the planet around its entire coastline. This growth, coupled with that of the commercial sector has inevitably led to some tension between the competing stakeholders. In accordance with Australia's commitment to ecologically sustainable development this has necessitated the need for a framework to be developed that transparently and equitably facilitates the distribution of access rights to the resource for the benefit of all stakeholders. This endeavour, though complex, is progressing in a fertile environment, as Australian fishers of all persuasions are aware that they are the custodians of the nations resource, not its owners.
The final aspect that I would like to touch on is increased application of value adding and innovation in the seafood industry. A perfect example of how these two elements of the Australian character have been applied to the seafood industry is the huge success of the Southern Blue fin Tuna (SBT) farming industry based in Port Lincoln, South Australia. Less than a decade ago the industry was on its knees, however the industry struck upon the idea of catching wild fish and growing them out in a controlled environment. Not only has this innovation allowed Australia to market 3000 tonnes more SBT than it caught (by allowing the fish to grow to the desired weight), it has also enabled controlled harvesting to match market demand. What this equates to is the fish now being sold for $A40/kg compared to $A1/kg when it was predominantly canned.
Would you like to encourage more partnerships between Australian companies and the rest of the world?
This is already occurring naturally, complementary operations are seeking each other out and creating great synergies that are to the benefit of all involved. Many of these alliances have been with southern hemisphere fishing nations, however I am informed that interest and investment from the northern hemisphere is steadily increasing. The other aspect of alliances with international parties that benefits the industry globally is technology, knowledge and skills transfer. The Atlantic Salmon industry in Australia would not have developed as quickly as it has without the know how of Northern Hemisphere operations, and Australia as a leader in innovation is keen to export its knowledge to the world to increase the prosperity of the seafood industry. These aspects are in line with the Australian Government's policy that aims to encourage foreign investment in this country that is consistent with the community's interest, and I would like to see it continue and grow in all sectors of Australian seafood.
How would you describe Australia's relationship with the rest of the world in terms of fishing?
Australia's relationship with the rest of the world is robust, with Australians from the government, industry, and non-government organisations having a well-earned reputation for "punching above their weight" in world fishing forums. Australia will continue to call member countries of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) to account for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) and flag of convenience fishing activities that undermine the sustainable management of our regional fish stocks. Australia is committed to protecting its sovereign rights and resources, and we will continue to pursue with the full strength of the instruments available to us offenders found to be plundering our resources.
While we run a tough agenda in regional for a that is designed to ensure long-term sustainability of fisheries, we are regarded as being constructive, responsible and innovative in the manner in which we approach our regional and international obligations.
Australia is a member of a number of RFMOs, and a signatory to a number of international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement.Australia is also actively involved in the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the South Pacific Forum (SPF), the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on fisheries issues.
Australia has taken a lead in the campaign against IUU fishing in various regional and international meetings, as displayed by the provision of funding and staff to the FAO for the development of an international plan of action to combat IUU fishing. Australia has also been a strong advocate of sustainable fishing illustrated by the country's commitment to the national and international plans of action for sharks, and we are developing and refining initiatives to reduce the by-catch of seabirds in long line fishing without unduly hampering the Australian industry.
What is the country doing to encourage foreign vessels into the Australian EEZ?
In general, Australia's domestic fisheries are fully utilised by our own industry and we do not allow foreign flagged vessels to fish our domestic fisheries. However, there is scope for foreign companies to invest in the Australian industry by purchasing licences and quota and we have seen this in the SBT industry with Stolt Neilsen buying Australian Blue Fin, one of the country's pioneer SBT farming and fishing companies.
Foreign fishing vessels are welcome to use Australian ports at any time, providing they apply to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) for a permit and abide by the conditions of that permit.
How many licenses has Australia given out in the last year to foreign countries?
Based on the above statement, Australia has not provided any commercial fishing permits to any foreign country in the last year. This however does not rule out the ability for foreign companies to purchase Australian fishing concessions if the follow the correct procedures.
What would you say Australia has to offer the rest of the world fishing market right now?
Australia has a reputation for providing high quality seafood harvested from some of the world's cleanest waters to the world's fish markets. We are interested in diversifying our current markets for the entire range of these high quality products. We are watching the European Union and United States with interest due to their large populations and multi-cultural societies. This combination provides a rich trade environment for a diverse range of aquatic products. As Australian seafood marketing continues to expand further than our traditional Asian markets I am confident that will not be too long before a wider cross section of the planet realise that Australia produces premium quality seafood in a sustainable manner.
This marketing expansion is equally valid for both the wild catch and aquaculture sectors of the industry, and will be a key platform to the continued strong economic performance of the Australian industry.
Probably the most important aspect of achieving this goal is the fact that the industry is aware of the importance of market development. To this end it has set itself high and realistic goals in terms of the value of production and levels of efficiency that it aims to achieve over the next decade.
Fish stocks are depleted in many parts of Europe, is there any solution to the problems?
Australia supports sustainable fisheries management and international efforts to reduce subsidies and fishing capacity. Fisheries worldwide face considerable challenges to ensure that the level of fish caught is consistent with the ecologically sustainable use of the resource.
Globally the greatest reason is excess capacity, we have witnessed virtually an exponential increase in fishing power as fish have become more difficult to catch. I believe that the EU's proposed new direction in fisheries policy is heading in exactly the right direction by advocating a reduction in fleet size, and also moving to abolish both ship building and scrapping subsidies. Obviously this creates some concern for southern hemisphere countries, as the immediate question for us is 'Where is the excess European fleet going to fish?' Unfortunately everything points south, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation in fisheries management on the high seas, and protection of individual country's resources.
What are your views on aquaculture and fish farming?
Aquaculture and fish farming are great endeavours; they have provided the greatest impetus for the last decade of growth in the Australian seafood industry. During this time aquaculture and fish farming in this country have sustained real growth of 146%, which is a truly remarkable figure. The aim of this sector is to triple its value by 2010.
There are both internal and external drivers of this growth. Internally Australia is blessed with a population that is keen to tackle new challenges and adopt new ideas.
