Expert panel appointed to advise on fisheries management reform

Queensland’s Chief Scientist Professor Suzanne Miller will chair a new expert panel to advise on fisheries management and the implementation of the Palaszczuk Government’s extensive reform strategy.

Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne today announced the appointees to the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel and congratulated members on their selection.

“A key priority of the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy released in June was to establish this independent advisory group to improve evidence-based decision making,” Minister Byrne said.

“I look forward to working with the expert panel to create a world-class fisheries management system in Queensland.

“The panel’s advice will underpin the most significant reform of fisheries management in Queensland for generations and will ensure that future decisions are grounded in scientific interpretation of data.”

The Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel comprises:

• (Chairperson) Professor Suzanne Miller, Queensland Chief Scientist
• Dr Cathy Dichmont – expertise in stock assessments and modelling
• Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts – expertise in fish biology
• Professor Ian Cartwright – expertise in fishery management
• Associate Professor Daryl McPhee – expertise in fishery management
• Dr Michelle Heupel – expertise in threatened species
• Dr Nadine Marshall – expertise in social science
• Dr Sean Pascoe – expertise in fishery economics.

Minister Byrne said Prof. Miller’s academic standing made her an ideal chairperson.

“All members of the panel were appointed based on their skills and expertise to provide advice on best practice fisheries management,” the Minister said.

“All members, with the exception of Prof. Miller are independent of the Palaszczuk Government, which is important to ensure the independence of their advice.

Prof. Miller said she was pleased to chair the expert panel.

“As Chief Scientist, it is great to see a science-based approach to fisheries management being introduced,” she said.

Minister Byrne said the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027 prioritises reform and development of harvest strategies for the trawl, crab and east coast inshore fisheries.

“The expert panel will review the work of three new Fishery Working Groups on these priority actions,” he said.

The first meeting of the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel is scheduled for late August 2017.

For information about the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

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