Have your say on Commonwealth fsheries policies

The Australian Government has opened public consultation on the effectiveness of two key policies behind the management of Commonwealth fsheries.

The Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and the Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy set the standards for sustainable harvesting of our fsheries resources to maximise benefts to the Australian community.

Assistant Secretary for Fisheries George Day encouraged stakeholders to provide their views on whether the policies remain ft-for-purpose.

“It’s important that these policies maintain target and bycatch stocks at sustainable levels, maximise economic returns to the Australian community, and minimise impacts on the marine

ecosystem, all in the context of increasingly needing to adapt to a changing climate” Mr Day said.

“I invite members of the fshing industry, marine conservation NGOs, recreational fshers, fsheries and marine scientists and researchers, First Nations fshers and sea country Traditional Owners and the general public to have their say on how Australia’s fshing resources and marine environment are managed.

“Feedback received will help us to understand where changes may be required.”

To have your say and to view the consultation paper, visit the QR Code bellow.

After 2 record years, broadacre farm incomes are forecast to fall signifcantly in 2023–24 due to drier conditions and lower prices for agricultural commodities, especially livestock.

ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said that, at a national level, average farm cash income for broadacre farms is expected to decrease 41% to $197,000 per farm in 2023–24, representing a fall in incomes back to levels seen 3 years ago.

“Livestock farms will be affected by large decreases in prices for beef cattle and sheep, with sheep farm incomes forecast to be well below average,” Dr Greenville said.

“We are expecting incomes well below the long-term average in parts of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland and the northern parts of the Western Australian cropping zone, mainly due to drier conditions resulting in lower crop yields.

“Incomes are also forecast to be well below average in parts of southern Victoria and South Australia, as well as parts of Tasmania and Western Australia, due to a combination of dry conditions and declining sheep, lamb, and wool prices.

“It’s important to note these numbers are based on price and weather forecasts from early September. Prices for cattle and sheep have fallen further in recent weeks so there is likely more downside risk to these forecasts than upside at present.”

ABARES is now providing quarterly updates to farm performance forecasts with the next update due in December.

“By linking ABARES farm and CSIRO production models with Bureau of Meteorology seasonal weather forecasts, we can now provide more timely updates on how seasonal and market conditions are affecting the farm sector,” Dr Greenville said.

“This is a signifcant step forward from the forecast we have traditionally provided once a year.”