Program background

Independent Onboard Monitoring (IOM) uses approved video monitoring equipment to record fishing activities and provide independent information about interactions with threatened, endangered and protected (TEP) species.

IOM is being introduced to provide robust data to support sustainable fisheries management and maintain Australian Government export approvals.

The program collects accurate and independent information about interactions with TEP species to help:

• maintain access to export markets
• support ongoing access to fishing grounds within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• provide information about interactions with protected species
• support sustainable fisheries management decisions.

The approved IOM program requires installation and use of approved video monitoring equipment on:

• all active commercial fin fish trawl fishery (CFFTF) vessels
• east coast otter trawl fishery (ECOTF) vessels that collectively account for approximately 90% of fishing effort.

As part of the new IOM program, electronic reporting will be rolled out across Queensland’s trawl fisheries. Electronic reporting supports the program by providing timely information on interactions with TEP species that can be validated against video monitoring data.

The program was informed by a regulatory impact analysis process, including stakeholder feedback, and an IOM field trial that tested different video monitoring systems and implementation approaches.

The Queensland Government has committed to funding implementation of the program.

The program is being implemented through a staged six-year rollout. Implementation will commence with higher-effort vessels during the first two years of the program. Future implementation arrangements will be reviewed as the program progresses, including a planned review after the first two years of implementation.

The Decision Impact Analysis Statement, Consultation Impact Analysis Statement, summary fact sheets and frequently asked questions are available in the ‘Document Library.’

Electronic reporting

Mandatory electronic reporting is being introduced across the CFFTF and ECOTF alongside the implementation of IOM.

Fishers will be required to submit logbook reports through the Qld eFisher app when electronic reporting requirements commence in their management region.

Paper logbooks will no longer be accepted once electronic reporting requirements commence in each management region. Fishers operating across multiple regions must comply with electronic reporting requirements from the earliest applicable commencement date.

Information about commencement dates, training opportunities and support is available on the Business Queensland website: Alerts for commercial fishers in Queensland | Business Queensland

IOM program

New regulations requiring IOM in Queensland’s trawl fisheries are now in effect.

The regulations introduce:

• mandatory use of approved video monitoring equipment on relevant vessels
• a six-year implementation period to install video monitoring equipment across relevant vessels
• Vessel Monitoring Plan (VMP) requirements
• new operating and reporting requirements, including mandatory electronic reporting using the Qld eFisher app
• requirements for reporting and managing equipment malfunctions.

The IOM program will be implemented over six years.

Authority holders have been notified directly about whether IOM requirements apply during the first two years of implementation.

Before requirements commence, Fisheries Queensland and Archipelago Asia Pacific will work directly with relevant authority holders to:

• undertake a pre-installation inspection
• prepare a Vessel Monitoring Plan (VMP)
• coordinate installation arrangements
• provide training and support
• explain what is required and what assistance is available.

Installations will be planned around vessel availability, maintenance periods and seasonal closures wherever possible.

Approved video monitoring equipment

The Queensland Government has partnered with Archipelago Asia Pacific to supply, install, maintain and repair approved video monitoring equipment.

The approved video monitoring equipment includes:

• camera system (FishVue Vantage 1.5)

Cameras start recording when fishing equipment, such as trawl winches, is being used. Recording periods are designed to capture fishing, catch handling and sorting activities and are not intended to run continuously throughout a fishing trip.

Existing CCTV systems cannot be used to meet IOM requirements.

Archipelago Asia Pacific can be contacted for technical support, maintenance and repairs:

• Email: Service@archipelago-ap.com.au
• Phone: 0429 468 271 (Chris Stanley)

Authorised installers and repairers of approved video monitoring equipment include:

*All installation and maintenance services are to be coordinated by Archipelago Asia Pacific.