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The objectives of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 (the Act) make it clear that the sustainable management of our fisheries resources is paramount and that it is only within a sustainable management framework that these resources can be developed for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Protection from over-exploitation is set out as the primary principle of the legislation. The Act also sets out a number of other principles that need to be weighed up when making decisions under the legislation, including the requirement to explicitly allocate access to aquatic resources between users of the resource and provide for optimal utilisation and equitable distribution of aquatic resources between user groups. Development of new resources and value adding of existing resources is encouraged.
The principles that guide decision-making under the Act also require that commercial, recreational and Aboriginal traditional fishing activities be fostered and that aquatic ecosystems on which fisheries rely for their productivity are not endangered or irreversibly damaged.
The success of wild fisheries management in South Australia to date can be attributed to the science-based and precautionary approach taken to management decisions. This has occurred through close, transparent and formal consultation with industry groups and the broader community through Fishery Management Committees and other processes.
The co-management approach continues under this Act with the establishment of a Fisheries Council to provide advice to the Minister on the management of fisheries, whether for commercial use, recreational use, or for Aboriginal traditional fishing purposes.
The Fisheries Council is expertise-based and has nine members appointed by the Governor, plus the Director of Fisheries as an ex-officio member. The Council has a broad advisory role and key responsibility for the preparation and maintenance of fishery management plans.
