Chairs sought for various Resource Assessment Groups

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is seeking applications for upcoming vacant Chair positions on a number of its Resource Assessment Groups (RAGs), specifically: 

• Great Australian Bight Resource Assessment Group (GABRAG); 
• Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Resource Assessment Group (ScallopRAG); 
• Shark Resource Assessment Group (SharkRAG); 
• Small Pelagic Fishery Resource Assessment Group (SPFRAG); 
• South East Resource Assessment Group (SERAG); 
• Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery Resource Assessment Group (SESSFRAG); 
• Southern Squid Jig Fishery Resource Assessment Group (SquidRAG); 
• Sub-Antarctic Resource Assessment Group (SARAG); and, 
• Tropical Tuna Resource Assessment Group (TTRAG). 

The appointments will be from 1 July 2022 until: 

• 30 June 2025 for SERAG, GABRAG, SharkRAG, and SESSFRAG; 
• 31 March 2027 for ScallopRAG; and 
• 30 June 2027 for SARAG, SPFRAG, TTRAG and SquidRAG. 

Please also note that for a number of Chair positions, the RAG Chair is also appointed as the scientific or research member of the respective RAG or management advisory committee (MAC) – details follow. Successful applicants will be asked to also commit to these positions, so please take this into account when applying for a RAG Chair position: 

• SERAG Chair – also the scientific member on SESSFRAG and research member on the South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC); 
• SharkRAG Chair – also the scientific member on SESSFRAG; 
• GABRAG Chair – also the scientific member on SESSFRAG and research member on the Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC); 
• ScallopRAG Chair – also the research member on the Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Management Advisory Committee (ScallopMAC). 

More information about RAGs and applying for the Chair positions is provided below. 

What do RAGs do? 

AFMA’s RAGs are the key research and scientific committees for supporting the management of Commonwealth fisheries. The main function of RAGs is to peer review scientific data and information and provide advice to AFMA on the status of fish stocks, sub-stocks, species (target and non-target species), the economic status of fisheries and the impact of fishing on the marine environment. This advice assists AFMA in its role to regulate commercial fishing of Commonwealth fisheries. 

A key output of RAGs is the provision of recommended biological catches (RBCs) and biological fishing effort levels. When requested, RAGs evaluate alternative harvest options proposed by MACs. Evaluation could include advising on the impact over time of different harvest strategies (for example, the time required for a particular fish stock to reach a reference point), stock depletion or recovery rates, the confidence levels of the fishery assessments and risks to the pursuit of fishery objectives. RAGs are also required, where relevant, to evaluate and report on economic and compliance factors affecting the performance of fisheries. 

Additionally, RAGs provide an avenue for consultation between industry members, fishery managers, fishery economists, fishery scientists and other interest groups. 

RAGs are appointed by the AFMA CEO under the policy Fisheries Administration Paper 12 – Resource Assessment Groups (FAP 12). Additional information for individual RAGs, including records from past meetings, can be found on AFMA’s website. 

AFMA’s policy, FAP 12, provides information about the roles of RAGs, the Chair and members. FAP 12 is available on the AFMA website.

To be considered for a RAG Chair position please submit your curriculum vitae and a brief cover note (no more than 500 words) specifying the RAG(s) you are applying for and addressing the criteria under section 4.2.1.2 of FAP 12 and summarising your relevant experience, qualifications and reason for your application. 
 

What is the selection process? 

Applications will be assessed by a selection panel against the selection criteria described in FAP 12. 
 

How do I submit my application? 

Applications need to be submitted to AFMA by close of business Thursday 2 December 2021 by post or email to: 
 

Post:         Julie Cotsell 

                  Policy, Environment, Economics and Research 

                  Fisheries Management Branch 

                  Australian Fisheries Management Authority 

                  PO Box 7051 

                  CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 

Email:       Research.Secretary@afma.gov.au

Please contact Steve Hall on (02) 6225 5341 or email Steve.Hall@afma.gov.au if you require further information about the role of RAG Chairs and the selection process.