• You can pay all your invoices online via  the payments page

The 2011/2012 management charge for the five general share management fisheries (estuary general; estuary prawn trawl; ocean trap and line; ocean hauling; ocean trawl) is $839 for each fishery in a fishing business. Invoices for fishing businesses holding this group of share management fisheries also include the $500 industry adjustment charge and $100 Community Contribution.

Commercial fishing customers are offered payment terms by 3 instalments as follows:

Points to note:

• Previously the management charges were $839 for the first fishery and $104 for each additional fishery.
• The change to $839 per fishery was forecast and communicated to industry in the second half of last year and again earlier this year.
• In other jurisdictions, management charges are significantly greater than those in NSW and sometimes run into the 10’s of thousands of dollars.
• Management charges contribute towards the cost of things such as:
  • Research,
  • Consultation and communication;
  • Development and maintenance of policy including more efficient legislation;
  • Licensing and other administration;
  • Maintenance of current environmental and export accreditations.
• The (former) SIAC recommended the management charge changes, which is consistent with the agreed Pyrmont Pact principles.
• The (former) SIAC supported a reduction in the historical government subsidy for reasons including:
  • Previous arrangements were considered unfair for single-fishery fishing business who were carrying the bulk of the overall industry charges;
  • To help fund unforeseen research, compliance and management issues that arise from time to time, including programs aimed at promoting industry viability (e.g. a consultancy seeking to encompass commercial fishers within State and Commonwealth  Exceptional Circumstances Assistance provisions);
  • Recognition of the need to contribute more fully towards the cost of monitoring and managing commercial fisheries;
  • To stimulate adjustment through price incentives. In other words, to encourage trading of shares by providing a disincentive for fishing business owners to hold on to latent fishing entitlements;
  • In the case of the additional $500 charge per fishing business, to contribute to future commercial fishery adjustment programs and assist in gaining Government support and funding for structural adjustment.