Australia.- The Australian Government has today welcomed the Productivity Commission’s recommendations to identify opportunities to increase efficiency and cut unnecessary and costly regulation in Australia’s $2.6 billion marine fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, said the report – an initiative of the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper – provided recommendations on resource access; commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishing; jurisdictional arrangements; managing the environment; aquaculture and other issues.
“Our fisheries and aquaculture industries support many rural and regional communities throughout Australia,” Minister Ruston said.
“Overall, this report finds that Australia’s marine fisheries are performing well in terms of the rest of the world, with the majority of Australian fisheries found to be sustainably managed.
“The Australian Government broadly supports the report’s findings and recommendations which endorse the Commonwealth’s fisheries management approach.
“The government recognises that several recommendations require a cooperative approach with state and Northern Territory governments and will continue to work with state and territory counterparts on a collaborative, cross-jurisdictional approach to improve fisheries management in Australia.
“Australia’s aquaculture industry, along with commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishers will benefit from the findings of this reports through improved economic efficiency and increases to productivity and market competitiveness.
“The report makes recommendations to improve and harmonise fisheries management, environmental and compliance arrangements, while cutting unnecessary red tape and reducing regulatory burden.”
In preparing the report, the Productivity Commission released several draft papers as well as undertaking extensive public consultation to identify opportunities to increase productivity and cut unnecessary and costly regulation in Australia’s marine fisheries and aquaculture industries.
The report considered some 116 submissions from governments, industry, environmental NGOs and the general public. To read the report, visit http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries.
