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  4. National Fishing Advisory Council

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National Fishing Advisory Council

The National Fishing Advisory Council (NFAC) provides information and advice to the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on fisheries and aquaculture issues and associated national level legislation and policies.

NFAC provides valuable information and advice on contemporary issues from a cross-section of Australia’s seafood and fishing sector.

Purpose

The purpose of the National Fishing Advisory Council (NFAC) is to provide the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with information and advice on fisheries and aquaculture issues and associated national level legislation and policies.

NFAC’s key role is to provide information and advice from a cross-section of sectorial participants on contemporary issues affecting Australia’s seafood community – Indigenous, wild-catch, aquaculture, recreational and post-harvest sectors – particularly with regard to Commonwealth fisheries.

NFAC does not represent the sole mechanism for engagement and consultation with government on fisheries and aquaculture matters.

Scope

NFAC will provide advice, specific to the responsibilities of the minister, on:

  • emerging issues facing Australia’s Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing sectors
  • initiatives to foster investment, growth and sustainability
  • strategic priorities.

Role of the Fisheries Minister

The minister will attend meetings where possible and may appoint a proxy. Liaison with the minister will be through the NFAC Secretariat, unless otherwise advised. The Chair of NFAC will provide a summary report to the Minister following each meeting.

The minister has discretion to review and amend these Terms of Reference at any time.

Role of the chair

The chair will be independent of any one particular sector or interests and will be determined by the minister. The chair will be responsible for:

  • presiding at all meetings and, with the support of the secretariat, ensuring the business of the meeting proceeds effectively
  • reporting on NFAC’s deliverables to the Australian Government, as required, and
  • coordinating a position on key issues.

Membership

In addition to the chair, there will be up to 12 members of NFAC. Members will be appointed by the minister for their expertise, understanding of fisheries and aquaculture issues, geographic representation and ability to consider the long-term interests of the industry.

Members, including the Chair, can be appointed for a term of up to three years. Members, including the Chair, may be reappointed.

Membership is on a voluntary basis and does not create a relationship of employment or agency between participants and the Commonwealth.

Secretariat support

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will provide secretariat support including:

  • liaising with the minister, chair and participants to identify meeting dates
  • preparing and distributing meeting notices and agendas within agreed timeframes
  • ensuring each meeting has an effective agenda
  • recording and distributing a summary of each meeting as soon as practical after each meeting, and
  • making travel arrangements for members where required.

Member and meeting protocols

Confidentiality – NFAC business is to remain confidential. This does not preclude members from discussing key matters with their constituents, however the confidentiality of deliberations during meetings should be maintained.

Conduct – Members will conduct themselves with respect and integrity, and respect the diversity of views of all participants. To ensure development of relationships and continuity of discussions and knowledge, Members who miss more than two consecutive meetings should reconsider their ability to effectively participate and their membership.

Meeting frequency – NFAC will meet up as required, to discuss targeted issues (and where appropriate in conjunction with industry conferences and forums).

Expected lifespan and review

NFAC will continue to operate until 30 October 2026 when the department will review the performance of the forum and provide advice to the Minister.

Other matters

NFAC members will be required to abide by all agreed conditions of appointment.

Endorsed ToR
Version 1.001/11/2018
Version 2.030/11/2020
Version 3.027/11/2023

NFAC Members

NameSector
Professor Colin Buxton (Chair)Research/academia
Ms Veronica PapacostaSeafood Industry Australia
Mr Mark RyanAquaculture industry
Ms Annie JarrettCommonwealth Fisheries Association
Mr Andrew RowlandAustralian Recreational Fishing Foundation
Mr Geoffrey MuldoonEnvironmental management
Ms Jo-Anne McCreaSustainability and certification
Mr Stan LuiFirst Nations
Dr Emma LeeFirst Nations
Mr Jonas WoolfordState/Territory seafood groups
Ms Leonie NobleWild capture
Ms Katherine WinchesterWild capture

Record of meetings

There have been five meetings of NFAC.

  • Meeting 1: 30 November 2018, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport
  • Meeting 2: 6 March 2019, National Convention Centre, Canberra
  • Meeting 3: 5 April 2019, Rydges Capital Hill, Canberra
  • Meeting 4: 24 September 2019, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport
  • Meeting 5: 19 May 2020, via teleconference
  • Meeting 6: 22 July 2021, via videoconference
  • Meeting 7: 14 June 2024, via videoconference

Contact

For any enquiries about NFAC please contact the NFAC secretariat.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

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Page last updated: 05 November 2024

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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