NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced the appointment of an inaugural Chair to lead the newly formed Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Council (MFAC).
Ms Hodgkinson said she is recommending the appointment of Richard Stevens to lead the MFAC, which will replace the Seafood Industry Advisory Council which ceased operating in mid-2010.
“The establishment of such a council was recommended by the independent review the NSW Government commissioned into commercial fisheries management in NSW,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“The MFAC will provide me with high-level policy advice on issues which impact across fisheries sectors, including recreational and indigenous fisheries and aquaculture, as well as commercial fisheries.
“It will also advise on other issues including resource sharing, co-management, cost recovery and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
“Mr Stevens is a worthy chair of this newly formed advisory body, having extensive experience in this area, including co-chairing the independent review into NSW commercial fisheries as well as chairing the fisheries co-management councils in South Australia.
“He has an outstanding reputation, standing and experience in fisheries management across Australia and will bring great expertise to this role.”
Mr Stevens has vast experience in the fisheries management sector, including as deputy Chair and Commissioner for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, executive director of fisheries for the
Northern Territory Government and Chair of various State fisheries management advisory committees.
The appointment will be for a three-year term, expiring on 31 July 2016.
Ms Hodgkinson said Mr Stevens will assist with the recommendation of the other five members of the MFAC.
“The expert council will be broadly representative of all key fishing stakeholders; including the commercial, recreational, indigenous, conservation and aquaculture sectors.”
An information package is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/consultation and expressions of interest close at 5pm Friday, 4 October, 2013.
