Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Government continues to take action to cut red tape and streamline processes in our fishing industry with the tabling today of the Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital Processes) Bill 2021.
This follows a period of public consultation on a draft bill late last year, and will help make work simpler and more efficient for our fishers.
The Bill delivers less paperwork and more fishing. It cuts the red tape and modernises the process, making it easier for fishers to report their catches electronically. This is a major reform benefitting especially our commercial fishers.
The Tasmanian Government committed $5 million over four years in the 2018-19 Budget to develop digital licensing and reporting platforms, and this legislation will mark another important step in delivering this commitment.
It follows the first stage of a digital licensing platform, FishPort, launched in March 2020, allowing fishers to make applications electronically, reducing the need for paper-based processes.
The proposed amendments will support expansion of FishPort functionality and facilitate the development of an Electronic Record System for catch and effort reporting.
Paper-based processes will continue alongside the proposed digital options to ensure Tasmanians have freedom of choice.
This Bill has strong stakeholder support, including the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, noting CEO Julian Harrington stated "These changes are integral in moving towards a contemporary, digital reporting system for fishers. The ability to report using a phone, tablet, or computer, instead of the old paper trail, will make life simpler for not only fishers, but also DPIPWE and research, meaning we can better manage our marine resources".
