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Why should industry get involved?
Industry should get involved for several reasons.
When it comes down to it, much of the legislation has the long-term
sustainability of the fishery at heart — there should be benefits
for industry. However, without appropriate information, management
measures may not achieve their aims. We argue that with industry
knowledge carefully collected and presented in the right ways, decisions
affecting the fishery will be better informed, and benefit industry.
Practically speaking, the project provides industry with a tool
to respond to the upcoming environmental legislation, including
giving it the means to evaluate any spatial management plans and
contest poorly informed decisions.
This is a chance for industry to use its own information to consider
whether proposed zoning — or other measures — has the
potential to produce more fish (or more money) out of its fishery
in the longer term.
Importantly, the project will provide industry with opportunities
to be fully involved in the research process, and consider the ways
it can contribute to ‘ecologically sustainable’ management.
In some instances, industry will have the best information on whether
proposed measures would contribute to ecologically sustainable management.
Through our project, the project team and Steering
Committee have the opportunity to help develop industry’s
approach.
Maps, research findings and photographs from the project will also
provide the means for industry to increase public awareness of its
role in ‘ecologically sustainable’ planning.
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