The state minister for primary industries and small business for the Australian state of New South Wales, Katrina Hodgkinson, recently announced the start of the tender process for a peak body representing the state's commercial fishing industry.
"This initiative is the next step of the NSW Government's response to the independent review of NSW commercial fisheries policy, management and administration," Ms Hodgkinson said.
"One of the supported recommendations was the need for a body to 'provide fishing industry views to government on an industry-wide, regional and to a lesser extent an individual fisher basis'.
"An independent expert was commissioned to assist in the design of the peak industry body and to guide the process to meet the needs of both industry and government. This included thorough consultation with the Professional Fisherman's Association and the industry.
"The successful body will be required to have adequate knowledge across the commercial fishing industry sectors state-wide, for example lobster, abalone, trawl, trap, line and estuary.
"The peak body will deliver feedback and advice to the Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council, the Department of Primary Industries, and the minister.
"Interested parties will be invited to demonstrate a set of robust and cost effective governance arrangements. The long-term goal is for industry to form and endorse a single peak body that provides a united industry voice," Ms Hodgkinson concluded.
The body will be contracted for a period of three years. Tenders close December 18, 2013.
