QSIA raises concerns regarding vessel monitoring systems
It seems the commercial seafood industry in Queensland must once again undergo a change process in order to justify its existence. The ongoing fisheries reform process and introduction of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) will have financial and information security impacts on the commercial fishing industry.
From a privacy perspective VMS has raised the following concerns: (1) the privacy inshore and offshore commercial fishers can expect regarding their data (their accumulated intellectual property), (2) agency/department access to VMS data, (3) concerns relating to invasion of privacy and (4) further industry restructuring. The number of VMS units and monthly costs also present a challenge for micro and small business operators in this great industry.
The State government argues – ‘The use of modern technologies like vessel tracking will help ensure the sustainability of Queensland’s fisheries. It will lead to more informed and responsive management, which will benefit the marine resources upon which many operators and regional communities are dependent (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries – vessel tracking). Taking this statement one step further why not insist on VMS for recreational fishers?
According to the State government there are 700,000 recreational fishers in Queensland which makes for a significant fleet of vessels that go un-tracked yet in some fisheries compete for the public’s access to fish and crustaceans. We know little about the cumulative impact of recreational fishing along the Queensland coast and in particular the Great Barrier Reef yet the full attention of our State fisheries department is focussed on introducing VMS for the commercial fishing sector.
Author: Keith Harris, President – Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA)
Image Credit: QSIA
The content of this post is provided for information purposes only and unless otherwise stated is not formal QSIA policy. The information on these posts are provided on the basis that all persons accessing the information undertake their own responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of it.