Economics Members sought for Resource Assessment Group and Management Advisory Committee

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is seeking applications for the following vacant positions:

• Economics Member on the Great Australian Bight Resource Assessment Group (GABRAG); and
• Research (Economics) Member on the Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC).

The appointments will be from the date of appointment until 30 June 2022 in line with the remainder of the GABRAG and GABMAC members’ terms of appointment.

GABRAG is the key research and scientific advisory committee for management of the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector (GABTS) of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF). The group provides advice to GABMAC on the status of fish stocks, sub stocks, species (target and non-target), the impact of fishing on the marine environment and the type of information needed for stock assessments. They also evaluate the impact over time of different harvest strategies, stock depletion and recovery rates, confidence levels for stock assessments and risks to the success of sector objectives. Compliance and economic factors affecting the sector are also evaluated and reported on by the group.

GABMAC is the principal forum where fisheries management issues relating to the GABTS are discussed. The group provides an avenue for consultation between industry, managers, researchers, environment/conservation and state government officers and is AFMA’s main source of advice on the management of the sector.

Information about RAG and MAC members’ roles and how to apply is provided below.

Resource Assessment Groups are appointed by the AFMA CEO. RAGs provide AFMA with scientific and economic advice on the biological, economic and wider ecological factors affecting fisheries. RAG advice is used to inform AFMA’s management decisions and records from past meetings can be found on AFMA’s website.

AFMA’s policy, Fisheries Administration Paper 12 – Resource Assessment Groups (FAP12), provides information about the roles of RAGs and their members. This document is available on the AFMA website.

Management Advisory Committees are statutory bodies appointed by the Commission that provide AFMA with management advice. They report to the AFMA Commission on policy and operational matters, where relevant, relating to the management of Commonwealth fisheries, including scientific, research and other information about the status of fish stocks and the impact of fishing on the marine environment. MAC advice is used to inform AFMA’s management decisions and records from past meetings can be found on AFMA’s website.

AFMA’s policy, Fisheries Management Paper 1 – Management Advisory Committees (FMP1), provides information about the roles of MACs and their members. This document is available on the AFMA website.

How do I apply for RAG and MAC membership?

To be considered for the vacant positions, please submit:

• Economics Member on GABRAG - your curriculum vitae and a brief cover note (no more than 500 words) addressing the selection criteria under section 4.2.3 of FAP12 and summarising your relevant experience, qualifications and reason for your application;
• Research (Economics) Member on GABMAC - your curriculum vitae and a brief cover note (no more than 500 words) addressing the selection criteria under section 3.5.3 of FMP1 and summarising your relevant experience, qualifications and reason for your application.

Please note, both positions are seeking economics expertise.

Selection process

Applications will be assessed by a selection panel against the selection criteria described in FAP12 and FMP1.

How do I submit my application?

Applications need to be submitted to AFMA by close of business 26 July 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 Natalie Couchman on (02) 6225 5382 or email Natalie.Couchman@afma.gov.au if you require further information about the roles of RAG and MAC members and the selection process.