The long-term vision of the Fisheries Digital Transition Project (FDTP) is to transition commercial fisheries into the digital age.
This strategic project aims to deliver modern digital platforms for commercial fishers and fish processors to enable faster and simpler interactions with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas), in accordance with the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 (LMRMA) and associated fishery regulations.
This website is aimed at informing the Tasmanian commercial fishing industry about the project.
Trial of mobile application for Digital Reporting
Work on the Fisheries Digital Transition Project
continues, and the team are trialling a new Digital Reporting Service (DRS)
mobile application for Rock Lobster and Giant Crab.
The app has been developed
to provide an alternative to the current telephone reporting service. Fishers
participating in the trial will still need to complete all their usual
telephone reports alongside reporting for the mobile app, so it will not
replace usual reporting obligations. The app that’s being trialled is
anticipated to save significant time, with digital reports able to be completed
in less than 50 per cent of the time of the same telephone reporting service.
Any Rock Lobster or Giant Crab fishers interested in being part of the trial or
would like more information about the app being trialled, please use the contact below.
Project Timeframes
The Project commenced in 2018 and the current stage is scheduled to be completed in June 2023.
The FDTP commenced in 2018 as a response to a Tasmanian Government electoral promise (“Taking Seafood to the Next Level"). $5M was allocated over 4 years from 2018 to 2022. However, legislative changes needed to take place to provide for digital transactions. The changes resulted in the passing of the Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital Processes) Bill 2021. Upon enactment, the Bill will amend the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995.
The legislative process took close to three years to push through. Many industries and projects were impacted by COVID-19 and NRE Tas is no exception. The unprecedented disruption saw the Department allocate resources to critical support for the fishing industry. Therefore, the project was granted a 1-year extension to June 2023. The FDTP is now resourced, re-focused, and planning on delivering some digital solutions within this timeframe.
Project scope
At a high level, in 2022/23 the FDTP will:
- Develop catch and effort reporting tools for the commercial fishing industry with a focus on the abalone fishery;
- Develop a digital reporting tool for the rock lobster fishery;
- Proclaim the Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital Processes) Bill 2021 to support digital solutions for Tasmania's commercial wild fisheries, and
- Develop tools to support certain licence-related applications online.
Key stakeholders
Internal, NRE Tas
The Project Sponsor is the Deputy Secretary, Primary Industries and Water.
The Business Owner is the General Manager, Marine Resources.
Marine Resources
Compliance & Licensing Branch
Wild Fisheries Management Branch
Partnerships & Project Branch
Aquaculture Branch
External
Tasmania Police, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council (TSIC) and other relevant fishing industry bodies
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Department of Justice
Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC), Department of Premier and Cabinet