The overlap and interaction between commercial fishing and the offshore oil/gas industry can at times mean both operations are negatively affected. This project aimed to work collaboratively between both industries and establish processes for effective communication and education to ensure relevant concerns are raised and systems established to minimise tow-way impacts. This project recommended four overarching processes by which these issues can be addressed:
- Having accessible, easy to use central website-based information on the two industry’s associated communication processes;
- Undertaking roundtable discussion and feedback into overarching policy and process;
- Holding annual regional stakeholder meetings to discuss future planning and issues; and
- Undertaking one-on-one industry/individual discussions.
The Fishing and Oil and Gas Roundtable Group formed and Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association endorsed the approach proposed in this report. NOPSEMA has been provided with the projects findings as part of the review of their operations.