The potential impact of proposed marine restrictions on commercial fishermen is to be scrutinised.
Proposed Offshore Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, will also be reviewed to balance ecological protections against the practicalities of fishing.
Government will integrate these objectives and others into their Blue Prosperity Plan, following an independent review that also called for more data to back up the plan, and demonstrable enforcement against current fisheries violations.
Meaningful engagement with commercial fishermen is critical to moving forward with plans, the panel said, and Government has committed to ongoing dialogue focused on enforcement and MPAs.
The Fishermen’s Association had previously withdrawn from the BOPP consultation process, in part saying there is insufficient data to justify proposed marine restrictions that could impact their livelihoods.
The FAB welcomed the independent panel review, and said they have been asking for years for better data on fish stocks and improved enforcement. Both have been recommended by the panel.
