image

Digital Transformation

WAFIC is working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in a national program to increase vessel and electronic monitoring of commercial fishing vessels that transit or operate in Australian (Commonwealth) Marine Parks.

Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Assistance Program (VMS)

The program has seen:

  • DPIRD secure a $1.1 million grant through the Australian Government’s Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Systems (EVMS) Assistance Program to roll out the initiative in WA from 2023.
  • The federal grant-funded project focus on improving compliance in Australian Commonwealth Marine Parks to ensure the sustainability of aquatic resources for future generations, as well as longevity for commercial operations.
  • The funds directed in line with government’s strategic and operational objectives for vessel monitoring systems, which can be implemented within the WA legislative framework, considering current risks and priorities.
  • The roll-out of funding to boost the uptake of new and upgraded electronic monitoring systems on commercial fishing vessels to support the management of Commonwealth Marine Parks and commercial fishing management.
  • The number of commercial fishing vessels in WA with a vessel monitoring unit to increase by 57 per cent, as well as upgrading 73 per cent of existing units in commercial fisheries that are already being monitored.

You can find more information about the grants program on the Parks Australia Website here:

You can find the latest VMS news here.

WAFIC’s involvement

While WAFIC supports DPIRD accessing grant funding from the Commonwealth for the upgrade and installation of VMS units, it is important to note that WAFIC had no input into the amount of funding sought, nor how it was allocated. The grant process and agreement are exclusively between State and Commonwealth Governments.

WAFIC’s clear position is that the fishing industry should be formally consulted and agreement should be secured over any potential compliance arrangements to enforce marine park zones.

Participation of the WA commercial fishing industry in any existing VMS compliance scheme to monitor marine parks (State or Commonwealth) should not infer agreement to accept the same, or similar, compliance arrangements in other fisheries in other WA waters.

It is WAFIC’s view that in instances where VMS technology is mandated under Commonwealth or State marine park requirements, the arrangements should be equitable and commercial fishing industry participants should not bear any financial burden or unreasonable operational restrictions and conditions.

Key Points

1. Upgrade existing VMS technology

Funding will enable the upgrade of outdated Automatic Location Communicator (ALC) devices on existing VMS managed commercial vessels. The available funding is for a rebate on the purchase of a new ALC and associated installation costs.

The grant project funding availability is backdated to 20 June 2022. Approved and compliant hardware upgrades made since this date will be eligible.

Please note – all eligible operators have been sent a letter from DPIRD about the rebate process.

2. Introduce vessel monitoring into four previously assessed new fisheries

Funding is also available for new units and installations for operators in commercial fisheries already forecast to have VMS requirements under WA legislation. This includes:

  • Sea Cucumber Managed Fishery
  • South Coast Line and Fish Trap Managed Fishery
  • South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery
  • West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery.

It is anticipated that VMS installation will occur in 2023/2024 with funding made available prior to VMS requirements being introduced.

3. Trial gear monitoring equipment

The grant will enable electronic gear monitoring trials on commercial vessels in the Temperate Demersal Gillnet & Demersal Longline Fishery and Pilbara Trawl Fishery. These fisheries have national Wildlife Trade Operation requirements relating to electronic monitoring. The Parks funds should cover the installation of compatible electronic monitoring equipment to complement the existing WA legislative framework and VMS monitoring.

Grant rebate process

The available rebate is for up to $2200 for the purchase of the new ALC and $2000 towards installation costs.

Funding is available for Fishing Boat Licence holders of vessels that can provide:

  1. evidence that the vessel is licenced for, and has operated in, one of the below Applicable Fisheries since 20 June 2022; and
  2. receipts for the purchase and installation of a new CLS Triton Advanced unit on that vessel after 20 June 2022.

To date over twenty fisheries have been reimbursed over a two stage process. If you’d like to submit a rebate application please review all the terms and conditions. If you have any queries, please email: