There was a strong view that MACs should, as much as possible, represent fisheries that operate across the same ecosystem. However, it was recognised that commonality of species, species interactions, species migration and the nature of management arrangements are also significant factors in identifying feasible combinations of fisheries within MACs.

The majority view of the workshop was that MACs could be re-structured as follows:

South East MAC (the current SETMAC, GHATMAC, SquidMAC, SPFMAC and ScallopMAC)

South MAC (the current GABMAC and Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery)

NorthMAC (NPF and NW Slope Fishery)

Tuna MAC (ETBF and WTBF)

SBTMAC (SBT and Skipjack)

Sub-AntarcticMAC (Heard Island, Mcdonald Island and Macquarie Island)

To help facilitate a new structure, the workshop also suggested a staged approach to the rationalisation of MACs, particularly in respect of the proposed South East MAC.

Attendees also agreed that, in general, MACs should be concerned with issues (referred to as ‘above the line issues’) that have a significant public interest component - issues that establish the biological, ecological and economic parameters in which the fishery operates (including cross fishery issues).

It was suggested that issues be divided into ‘above the line’ and ’below the line’ in the following manner:

Above the line issues (MAC issues)

Mainstream Management: development of management plans and management policy settings; Harvest Strategy (HS) Review; Outside HS; Decision rules for HS; Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs), bycatch and discard plans; research strategy & priorities; advice on research proposals; international fisheries issues; DEWHA strategic and export approval assessments; threat abatement and conservation plans.

Operational: Fisheries Monitoring - nature & standard of data to be collected; domestic compliance standards; MAC budget; research budget.

Other: Regional Marine Planning (development); broader legislative and regulatory proposals; Commonwealth and AFMA policy proposals.

Below the line issues (AFMA / Industry issues)

Mainstream Management: refinement of management plans; input to agreement of Harvest Strategy; development and implementation of ERA responses; development of threat abatement/conservation plans.

Operational: mechanisms for meeting compliance standards; budgets – management, compliance, licensing. Data collection; codes of practice; licensing matters.

Other: economic reporting and implementation of resource sharing.

A second MAC review workshop has been scheduled for 16-17 December. For more information, please contact Graham Rudd, graham.rudd@afma.gov.au.