DPI&F have introduced a new reporting system for hatcheries.

The AAQ has had strong feelings that this system is not in the interests of members and in fact, is designed to make the job of monitoring culture stock collecting easier for DPI&F. The AAQ executive feel that this is an unfair burden placed on hatcheries which are already struggling to meet all the existing requirements placed on them by government departments.

Hatchery operators have been reporting their culture stock collection activities yearly up to now. The new system requires hatcheries to report monthly. The nature of the hatchery sector can require hatcheries to make last minute decisions to collect brood fish. This means hatcheries will not be able to say in advance what collecting activities they will be doing.

The Productivity Commission identified so called "red tape" as a serious restraint to the development of industry. The Productivity Commission recommended that red tape be reduced. Since this recommendation there has been no indication that red tape is being reduced. In fact there has been an increase in red tape. The AAQ executive is not aware of any reduction, or removal of red tape since the Productivity Commission recommendation !!!

This section of the workshop will be conducted by a representative from the Fisheries section of DPI&F. We will have the "new system" explained to us and shown how to use correctly in a way that minimises burden on our hatcheries. Discussions with fisheries representatives by the the AAQ president, Bruce Sambell, have revolved around improving the system. Fisheries representatives have indicated that they will endeavour to review the system.