TSQAP………What's Happening?

The short answer is a hell of a lot.More than ever before.We face greater risks to public health and market access from HAB’s, Water Quality and Changing International Standards than we have in the past…….

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB’S)What I’ll refer to from here as:

“The Safefish Review”.Its official name is:Paralytic shellfish toxin event in Tasmania

associated with the dinoflagellate alga Alexandrium Tamarnese. June 2013. FRDC project no 2012/060

The review is on the FRDC website. READ IT!!!!!!Initiated from TSQAP management committeeSupport from: DPIPWE, DHHS, Multiple industry

sectors groups, individual companies, FRDC, and Safefish/CRC

The cost of last years HABFrom the executive summary of the Safefish

Review: On a direct economic basis the cost of the HAB (harmful

algal bloom) was estimated at $8,620,000 representing expenditure and revenue impacts across all stakeholders.

On a revenue perspective, marine farming and wild catch fisheries sector losses, based on reductions in production totaled $6,308,700

With economic value chain multipliers applied, the effect on marine farmed and wild sector fishers was estimated to be $23,270,000

Contributing factors to the “non compliance event” (product reaching the market above the allowable 0.8 mg/kg of pst)A Breakdown of the Biotoxin Management Plan for

bivalve shellfish in TasmaniaDelay in changeover to fortnightly phytoplankton

samplingDelay in timely water sample analysis at the Tas

algal labUnder staffing and inadequate resourcing at TSQAP

Recommendations of the Safefish Review.The Review recommendations are targeted at

Government, Regulators, the Seafood Industry and recreational and Indigenous Fishers.

What that means for US is the Tasmanian Government is compelled to act on the recommendations of this report

It also means that biotoxin management and regulation in Tasmania (all species) will be developed closely in line with the recommendations of the Safefish Review

Recommendation One.Reform the national framework for biotoxin management in Australia (ASQAP), in line with international acceptable standardsObvious flow down effect to the state

programs.Clinton Wilkinson is the new chair of

ASQAAC……  Scheduled meeting for the 23rd October

0-6 Month Recommendations for TSQAPEnsure TSQAP is adequately resourced to:Design and implement an interim biotoxin

management planDeliver services to the bivalve shellfish

sectors covered by TSQAP to a level that adequately protects public health at all times

Recommendations for an Interim Biotoxin Management PlanReplace phytoplankton testing as the primary

management tool with shellfish flesh testing.Increase the frequency of testing in line with

international standardsMake the labs accountable……. Contracts

and KPI’sReview communication pathways (web based,

text etc… results of lab tests to growers, real time)

LongerTerm Recommendations of the Safefish Review

Develop a State wide, cross sector/species biotoxin management system.

Prepare a risk based plan that details how to manage algal blooms and biotoxins not before seen in Tasmania.

Develop a succession plan for TSQAP.

Governments position before, and its response to the Safefish Review Governments contribution to TSQAP was capped at 100k………..before

biotoxins and should be considered in light of the new Primary Production Food Safety Legislation…….. but that’s a story for another day!

With a 100k cap it doesn’t take a smart person to see the direction Government were pushing TSQAP ………..and what’s likely coming again.

Remember we have an agreement for a 70/30 funding split that the Government was backing away from.

Alison as TSQAP manager, in light of HAB’s, under staffing at TSQAP and

ICMSS (Sydney) prepared a budget of $1,200,000 for TSQAP ,FY 13/14.

That budget included projected sampling costs of $582,000 Being made up of: Biotoxin Testing (Sydney Lab) of $358,000. Algal sampling (AST) $200,000.

Government would not be shifted from 100k

contribution to TSQAP until the Safefish Review was completed (September).

Industry could not responsibly sign off on a 1.1million industry contribution for 13/14……… but we had to have a program

We agreed on an Interim Budget of $711,000That was to allow for the advertisement and filling of

two scientific officers positions plus a manager.Industry contribution was $611,288. (86% Industry)That budget expired 31st August.(TSQAP currently sits

with no approved budget).

A GOOD NEWS SLIDE!!!!!!!Under the interim budget the positions of two

scientific officers were advertised and filled.Megan Burgoyne 1st Scientific Officer has

started, has hit the ground running and is doing great work.  

Second SO Jason Whitehead is to start Monday.

The Managers PositionWith Ali’s departure the TSQAP manager’s

position was advertisedCandidates were short listed and interviews

conducted.Kim Evans (Secretary DPIPWE) called a halt

to the process at the 11th hour. We were advised that there would be an

internal DPIPWE appointment for 12 months. Dr. Howell Williams will be the new TSQAP

manager, Howell starts on the 14th October.

Getting TSQAP on TrackWe need an immediate works plan that addresses but isn’t

limited to:Upcoming Daff auditSystems document and other non-compliances stemming from

previous Daff auditsSanitary surveys and updatesData review (Ray for a couple of weeks)Lab service and performance contracts.Sampling catch-up, Annual reports for last year and this year Interaction with ASQAAC and how to Roll out of recommendations of

Safefish Review both Nationally ad within TSQAPSewerage and Virus issues, interactions with Tas Water.Sampling Plan for St Helens around water quality.The update of area management plans to reflect changes in risks,

both Microbial and Biotoxin

TSQAP Funding RequestsUnder a TSEC initiative, we met with:Bryan Green, Primary Industry and Water + Tas Water +

Roscoe Taylor, Health + Kerry Vincent, Sorell Mayor + Alex Shapp director, EPA. over water quality issues and TSQAP……..Twice

David Obyrne. Infrastructure and Economic Development.Brian Wightman. Minister for Environment, Parks and HeritageScott Bacon. Tourism and FinanceMichelle Obyrne. HealthThe focus of our discussions was around the damage to the

reputation of Brand Tasmania that recent water quality problems and HAB’s has done and the need for Government to commit to TSQAP at a reasonable level.

Commitment from the Tasmanian Government for 2013/14$594,000 from government. Thank you, much appreciated ,a most welcome contribution. For 12 months only. No commitment to funding thereafter. $594,000 is for the implementation of the

recommendations of the Safefish Review. $594,000 is across all sectors ……… its not shellfish or

TSQAP specificThe expectation from Government at this stage is that

industry provide:$826,000 from marine farm bivalve shellfish growers and

wild harvest clam fishers$560, 000 from wild catch sectors (Abalone, Scallops and

Rock Lobster combined)

The Process at the moment. Kim Evans (secretary DPIPWE) has established a steering committee to over sea the

implementation of the Safefish Review recommendations for the Seafood Industry in Tasmania

Comprising: Lloyd Clump BPID, Chair Wes Ford, Marine Resources Roscoe Taylor, Health Neil Stump, TSIC Stuart Heggie, DHHS, permanent observer The Steering Committee has met. One of its first tasks was to establish a second

committee known as the Industry Biotoxin Reference Group. That group currently comprises: Phil Lamb, Mussels Rodney Trelogan, Rock Lobster Bob Lister, Scallops Dean Lisson, Abalone Brian Denny, Wild sector/dive Neil Stump (Chair) TSEC representatives (Me) / Justin

Industry Biotoxin Reference GroupThe Reference Group is tasked with:Ensuring industry sector specific requirements are

related to the Steering Committee.Acting as a sounding board to the new TSQAP

manager. (Howell Williams)The important bit….. and in line with the

Safefish Review recommendations Manage an industry lead project to assess future

management options for TSQAP beyond 2014 (including biotoxin management).

This means……… SET THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF TSQAP.

Your People on TSQAPFor the coming year your Industry

Representatives on the TSQAP Management Committee will be.

Jon Poke. Replacing Ben Cameron.Neil Stump, representing the wild sectorPhil Lamb. MusselsHayden DykeINDUSTRY BIOTOXIN REFERENCE

GROUPMe / Justin Goc, acting as an alternate.Me again at ASQAAC

The Positives at TSQAPWe’re almost there!Interim Biotoxin Management Plan is all but doneOthers in the World manage similar issues to us as

part of their every day businessTSQAP has very good, capable, competent peopleWe remain ahead of the other sectors and there’s a

willingness from them to contribute to our program.We now have the ear of Tas Water.And in closing … I can tell you oysters fatten bloody

well on Tamarense!