Congratulations and welcome to the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt. Minister Watt, who is also Minister for Emergency Management, had an initial meeting with Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture stakeholders at a roundtable meeting in late June.

FRDC Managing Director, Dr Patrick Hone, represented FRDC at the meeting, the purpose of which was to provide a forum for the Minister to share his priorities, listen to sector leaders on their needs, and discuss how to work together. The Minster is keen to visit fishing and aquaculture stakeholders and hear first-hand their needs and opportunities. 

The Minister observed that his immediate priorities for fishing and aquaculture were to deliver on the election commitments, including Country of Origin Labelling, increase value-adding on seafood, address climate change and biosecurity, and ensure sustainability of the sectors and the environment.  

Roundtable attendees also had an opportunity to outline their issues such as, security of market access, climate action, bycatch, capability and capacity building, labour shortage and measures to address rising input costs.  

While time did not allow a detailed discussion on all topics of interest, it was encouraging to hear representatives acknowledge the value FRDC provides and their broad endorsement of the commitment to implement the National Fisheries Plan.