Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

I too am pleased to speak to the motion moved by Senator Whish-Wilson that is before the chamber around this reference to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. I am pleased with the acknowledgement that's been given to the fisheries sector tonight around how we do things here, perhaps better than most other parts of the world. But we also do acknowledge and accept the point that Senator Whish-Wilson made in his remarks, that there's always room for improvement, and I think anyone who doesn't agree with that is kidding themselves.

I do agree with the point that Australia does assume a position as a bit of a world leader when it comes to fisheries management, and that is something both successive governments and the industry have to be very proud of, given the work that's been done to bring the industry to its current standard. This is the seventh consecutive year that Commonwealth fisheries in this nation have been found to be not overfished, which is a big tick for those who operate in our fisheries and for those who manage them. Seven years in a row we have seen positive results from the management of fish stocks in solely Commonwealth managed fisheries. Outcomes like this have been supported by our quota management of fisheries and by the pursuit of ecologically sustainable development, principles which have underpinned Australia's management for almost three decades, since 1991, as Senator Whish-Wilson pointed out.

The principles of ecologically sustainable development are enshrined in Australian Fisheries Management Authority legislation, which incorporates three pillars—ecological, economic and social benefits. AFMA, the Australian Fishery Management Authority, takes a strong and practical approach to the management of fisheries, such as having robust frameworks, including total allowable catches, individual transferable quotas, harvest strategies and ecological risk assessments. I do want to take this opportunity to commend the team at AFMA. They do a fantastic job, especially in recent times. I acknowledge former fisheries minister Senator Ruston as well. They have done a fantastic job, particularly throughout the duration of the COVID pandemic and in trying to adhere to the international obligations that are put upon Australia that AFMA discharges, by being supportive and incredibly responsive to industry.

It's important to point out that quota management ensures that we have a very secure supply of seafood now and into the future. Management of fish stocks is incredibly important. This is not a matter of just setting and forgetting. It was a point that Senator Whish-Wilson made—industry is very adaptive, very responsive, to the conditions it operates in. The industry knows the waters better than anyone else and knows what's going on. We have heard of two examples in Tasmania where changes have been made by industry around industry conduct. And it is important to acknowledge that those in the industry are, as custodians of the resource and the environment it exists in, good managers, good custodians; hence the world-leader status.

AFMA continually improves these processes and our country's ability to maintain a healthy marine ecosystem, with the sustainable quota system forming a key component of its approach. This not only ensures access to our seafood, which for good reason is recognised globally for its quality, safety and, indeed, its tastiness but also supports a range of community benefits with economic gains, not only jobs but also recreational and Indigenous cultural fishing and tourism as well.

As I've already mentioned, we as a government are very proud, as I'm sure many in this chamber are—whatever political background they come from—of our fishing industry and, indeed, the management practices it employs. I do look forward to all of that being well on display and demonstrated through the inquiry at the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee.

Question agreed to.