The long-term vision of the Fisheries Digital Transition Project (FDTP) is to transition commercial fisheries into the digital age.
The FDTP 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 fishery regulations.
About the FDTP
The FDTP commenced in 2018 under the Tasmanian Government 'Taking Seafood to the Next Level' policy.
Legislative changes through the Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital Processes) Act 2021 commenced on 31 March 2023. These changes amended the LMRMA to enable digital processes relating to fisheries licensing and catch reporting.
The project is funded until June 2024.
Project scope
Progress of FDTP actions to date:
Proclaim the Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital
Processes) Act 2021 to support
digital solutions for Tasmania's commercial wild fisheries.
| Complete – the
Living Marine Miscellaneous Amendments (Digital Processes) Act 2021 was proclaimed on 31 March 2023.
|
| Develop and release a mobile application to enable digital reporting for the rock lobster, giant crab and abalone fisheries. | Underway – the Tas eFish mobile application to provide a digital alternative to telephone reporting has been developed for rock lobster and giant crab fishers and will be released imminently. |
| Develop and release a Marine Police/Fisheries Officer application to assist with compliance. | Underway – development is scheduled for a new application to provide fisheries officers with the ability to view reports made through Tas eFish. |
Develop tools to support certain licence-related applications online.
| Complete - FishPort went live in 2020, allowing limited licensing applications and administrative tasks to be submitted and paid for online.
|
With a focus on transitioning existing regulatory processes for commercial fisheries to modern digital platforms, development of digital platforms for recreational fisheries is not within the project scope.
Tas eFish goes live!
We have begun the pre-launch of Tas eFish - the new mobile reporting app for commercial rock lobster and giant crab fishers which provides an alternative to the traditional telephone reporting service. A handful of volunteer fishers are currently using the pre-launch app to make their live reports, and early reports suggest they are enjoying significant efficiencies from the user-friendly design, with digital reports being completed in less than half the time of the telephone method.
Once launched, the app wil be available for all commercial rock lobster and giant crab fishers.
Key stakeholders
Internal, NRE Tas
Project Sponsor - Deputy Secretary, Primary Industries and Water.
Business Owner - 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