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Guiding principles calculating positive flotationJuly 16, 2010 on 8:03 am | In Hot Topics | Comments OffThe Drift Newsletter April 2010April 21, 2010 on 6:50 am | In The Drift Newsletter | No CommentsThe Drift Official Newsletter The Association has sent all FTO’S our membership application, there is a stamped addressed envelope enclosed to return the Form and details on payment options The NTGFIA Steering committee is now in its fourth month in preparing all issues raised in the 2009 White paper. For this to happen you should take time to provide details on the membership form, if you are not a current member we urge you to fill out the Membership application ASAP. Please ensure that your details are current and include phone numbers and email addresses, some issues will need canvassing, some issues raised for implementing will impact on your future business, therefore it is extremely important that you can be contacted. Additional information about the government White Paper and membership forms can be downloaded from this web site The committee has two new members Shaun Uden and Steve Compain they Join President Rob Marchant, Vice President Greg Trouchet and secretary Darren Nickels. Cheers Graeme Williams Advice note Feb 2010February 18, 2010 on 2:34 pm | In Hot Topics | No CommentsCURRENT ADVICE NOTE There have been a numerous enquiries in recent months as to the interpretation of the measured length of vessels used by Fishing Tour Operators. Recent discussions the Association has had with N T Police Marine Branch raised this issue and they have provided the following documents below (1) Guidance notes in regards to survey exempt vessels below 6.2 metres which they would like to see all vessels carry or comply with. (2) Measured Length USL code 2009.this details compliance dates requirements etc and we urge all those affected to read carefully. Some issues that a number of guides are currently ignoring relate to Survey To date it appears that some of these issues have not been actively enforced; this could also impact on your Insurances if there is a claim in one form or another. The Marine and Fisheries Enforcement Unit wish to convey to all FTO”S that there primary concern is Safety for everyone and urge anyone who wishes to contact them, on any matter to call 08 89220810 Presidents report February 2010February 18, 2010 on 2:32 pm | In Hot Topics | No CommentsDear Members There have been a number of changes in the association’s makeup for 2010. Lloyd Brown has stepped aside from his position as Executive Officer, Lloyd has been in the Executive role since the NTGFIA’s inception, he has played a pivotal role in determining its position in relation to the many and varied issues Guides are experiencing on a day by basis, Lloyd with his history in fisheries was responsible for the drafting of our Management goals for the future, some of these aims have been achieved, others are in the process of being implemented. Lloyd has decided to pursue his Phd at Charles Darwin University, we wish him the very best in his endeavours, and sincerely thank him for his support. There are a number of positions in the makeup of the committee that has changed, additionally we have new members that broaden the committee’s decision making across all aspects of FTO activities. The executive officer’s role has been taken by Graeme Williams in the interim, the committee has unanimously supported this, as Graeme’s experience as President for three years, his respect within the industry and his involvement with highly sensitive issues such as the Blue mud Bay working group and the Steering committee implementing the Governments white paper for FTO’S. Is seen as invaluable Graeme has stepped down from the Presidents position and will continue in the executive officer’s role till the end of June 2010,the association will advertise and fill this position before the end of the financial year 2010. In 2009 the association received a once only grant of $20,000 to continue negotiations with the Blue Mud Bay, this grant is primarily to fund additional costs i.e airfares etc in the process of negotiations, the government has announced an extension of the Status Quo to November 2010 in all NLC areas and to April 2010 for the Tiwi Islands. The Association sees 2010 as a year of change, the steering committee overseeing the implementation of the Governments working paper on the future of FTO activities, the introduction of online returns, and the broadening of accessible areas are those that will change, issue’s such as Sector Management of fishing grounds, professional closures, license limitations, business license changes etc are all on the horizon. The committee is acting on the advice of all respondents to the government’s survey, within the steering committee parameters FTO’S should note that the general apathy within our industry to returning this questionnaire which has been the most significant document to our future operations was very dissapointing, only 19 completed documents were returned and the association has to work now with a less then broad number of responses to a wide raft of issues A number of Guides have indicated that they never received this questionare, we have been diligent in advising all recipients by advertisement and email that this was pending, Fisheries have also guaranteed that every licensed operator as of August 2009 was forwarded the relevant document FTO’s should at least know that the committee and its executive have a broad enough basis to agree or not agree to these issues, please note that position can be viewed on the web site under Hot topics The Executive Officer’s Contact details are Mobile 0412481592.. 08 89456658 Finally the Committee wish everyone a great 2010. Rob Marchant FTO Discussion PaperAugust 17, 2009 on 12:06 pm | In Hot Topics | No CommentsDear FTO, You should by now have received from the Executive Director of Fisheries a copy of an Issues Paper which discusses future management and development options for the NT Guided Fishing Industry. If you have not, you will find a copy of the document posted on the NTGFIA website: www.ntgfia.com.au. Most of the issues listed in the paper were raised by the NTGFIA during the course of ongoing discussions with Government over the past three years. The object of those discussions was the creation of an administrative and regulatory environment for the FTO Fishery, which would maximize business opportunities and profitably while ensuring the long term sustainability of the resource. The Association is committed to the view that the best way to achieve these objectives and to promote resource stewardship and best practice skills is the implementation of a mutually acceptable Management Plan. Your opinion on the various issues raised in the paper is an important part of this process. Accordingly I urge you complete the questionnaire and return it to the Fisheries Division either by mail or email by the due date. Note that there is also an online completion option. To assist you in answering each question the Association has developed a position paper which is attached hereto. In most cases a simple yes or no answer is all that is required. However if you wish to elaborate on an issue or express a different opinion to that adopted by the Association you are entirely at liberty to do so. Once again I urge you to complete the questionnaire and forward it to Fisheries by the due date. The level of industry support for a new and improved management regime will be judged by the number of FTO responses received. Graeme Williams 14 August 2009 |
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