Summary meeting minutes of the Marine Estate Management Authority.

Meeting date: 29 September 2022

Attendance

Authority members or their nominees in attendance:

• Chair, Marine Estate Management Authority (Dr Russell Reichelt AO FTSE)
• Deputy Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment – Environment and Heritage Group
• Deputy Director General, Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries
• Director Policy, standing in for Executive Director, State Policy and Strategic Advice, Department of Planning and Environment – Planning
• Director, Maritime and Transport Safety Strategy, standing in for Chief, Centres for Road Safety and Maritime Safety, Transport for NSW

The Authority considered a range of matters at the meeting including those summarised below.

Marine Estate Management Strategy investment

In June 2022 the NSW Government announced more than $180 million in new funding over the final six years of the Strategy’s implementation, through to 2028.

This record investment in the NSW marine estate will build on the progress of the first four years of the Strategy, while providing certainty for the projects and people working to deliver these outcomes.

The Authority noted the Strategy’s agility in addressing emerging international priorities in ocean sustainability over the next six years including blue carbon and blue economy opportunities, actions contributing to Closing the Gap for Aboriginal people and a greater investment in planning for climate change. The Authority commended staff and the many partners who are implementing the 100+ projects that are reducing the major threats facing the NSW marine estate.

The Authority noted the progress to date on project delivery across the Strategy, as reported in the triannual Snapshot report (1 March to 30 June 2022), now on the marine estate website.

For more information about the range of projects and key achievements within the Marine Estate Management Strategy, visit http://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/strategy-implementation.

Marine Integrated Monitoring Program

The Authority noted the work continuing under the Marine Integrated Monitoring Program (MIMP) with our partners. The MIMP monitors the condition and trend of environmental assets and community benefits, guides data collection to assess management effectiveness and contributes to filling key knowledge gaps.

Key work includes:

• the development of report cards
• filling social, cultural, economic and environmental key knowledge gaps
• developing a communications and engagement plan
• scoping the five-year review of the statewide threat and risk assessment
• MIMP database development and testing, including a linked threat and risk assessment portal to access up-to-date information.

Marine Estate Management Strategy communications and stakeholder engagement review

A presentation was provided on the Marine Estate Management Strategy communications and stakeholder engagement review findings. The review was conducted by an independent consultant, The LKB Agency, to evaluate all aspect of communications and engagement over the first four years of the Strategy. The review was conducted from March-June 2022 and incorporated feedback from Authority agency staff, Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel members, industry partners and stakeholders.

The review identified several key recommendations:

• develop an overarching communication and engagement framework
• develop stakeholder engagement plans (based on their interests and needs)
• develop communications and campaigns plans
• expand the current team overseeing the communications, education and stakeholder engagement activities
• update communication channels, messaging, and content
• monitor progress of activities and measure success.

The Authority noted the work plan development to address recommendations from the review.

Seabirds to Seascapes – protecting coastal biodiversity

The Seabirds to Seascapes project was launched on 21 August 2022, focusing on restoration of marine habitat in Sydney Harbour, and protection ofkey marine species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, including seabirds, penguins and fur seals.

The project is led by the Department of Planning and Environment – Environment and Heritage Group, with key delivery partners including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

The three-year project is being funded by a $6.6 million grant from the NSW Environmental Trust, with an additional $2.5 million provided by DPE and project partners.

The project builds on the management of threatened and protected marine species in NSW, guided by the cross-agency Strategy and the Saving our Species program led by the Department of Planning and Environment – Environment and Heritage Group.

The Authority noted the Seabirds to Seascapes project will complement the existing projects delivered under the Strategy.

For more information on the Seabirds to Seascapes project please visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/coasts/seabirds-to-seascapes

Launch of the new Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program

The Aboriginal Fisheries Business Development Program was launched in late September 2022. The DPI Fisheries led program has been developed in collaboration with program partners: the Department of Regional NSW – Office of Regional Development, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

The new two-year program aims to support the development and establishment of up to three new Aboriginal community owned fisheries businesses that will result in benefits flowing back to Aboriginal communities. These businesses can include aquaculture operations, commercial fishing, charter fishing, post-harvest processing, shark mitigation, aquatic-related tourism and hatcheries for freshwater fisheries.

The Authority noted a statewide Expression of Interest (EOI) process is now open with applications accepted up until 5pm Friday 10 February 2023. The application form and Guidelines for Applicants are available on the DPI website.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Authority is scheduled for December 2022.