AGY-3639 | Division of Fisheries [Department of Agriculture (1983-1988) Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (1988-1991)]

Full description

On 16 March 1983, the Department known as NSW State Fisheries was abolished and all branches were transferred to become the Division of Fisheries within the Department of Agriculture. (1) The Division of Fisheries was responsible for the management of fisheries resources in New South Wales.

The Division of Fisheries provided advisory services, regulatory control and research relating to the fisheries of New South Wales. The Division issued State and Commonwealth fishing licences to commercial fishermen; issued, transferred, surrendered, cancelled and amalgamated oyster leases; issued trout farm, scientific, aquarium, and fish breeding permits; and organised courses and workshops for the commercial fishing industry and for recreational fishing. (2)

The Administrative Branch provided administrative support, formulated policy, and managed oyster leases and commercial fishing licences. The Scientific Branch undertook research to enable the fisheries resources of New South Wales inland, estuarine, and ocean waters to be effectively developed and managed. (3)

The Division of Fisheries also administered the following laboratories and research stations: Brackish Water Fish Culture Research Station at Port Stephens, Inland Fisheries Research Station at Narrandera, and trout hatcheries at Ebor and Jindabyne. (4)

The Law Enforcement Branch was responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the Fisheries and Oyster Farms Act 1935 (Act No.58, 1935) (as amended) and for providing advice to the fishing industry on matters relevant to the administration of the commercial fishing industry and oyster leases. Fishing Inspectors were located throughout the State to monitor compliance with the Act.

The Division of Fisheries maintained Regional Offices in the following regions: North Coast; New England Hunter; Metropolitan; Orana and Far West; Central West, South East and Illawarra; Murray and Riverina. (5)

The growing importance of fisheries led to a change of name for the Department of Agriculture on 6 May 1988 to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. (6) With the advent of the Greiner Ministry in 1989 the Division of Fisheries within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries was placed under the control of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The Department of Fisheries and Agriculture developed its first corporate strategic plan in 1989-1990 seeking to improve the efficiency, productivity, and accountability of the department. One of the cornerstones of this strategy was the transfer of the departmental headquarters to Orange. The decentralisation of all staff was under way when responsibility for Fisheries was transferred to the Minister for Natural Resources on 5 June 1991. (7)

The Fisheries Division was removed from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and established as a separate administrative office titled Office of Fisheries from 1 July 1991. (8) The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries then reverted to the title of the Department of Agriculture.

Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette No.52, 25 March 1983, p.1377.
2. NSW Government Directory 1987, p.41.
3. NSW Government Directory 1985, p.41.
4. ibid., p.42.
5. ibid., pp.43-46.
6. NSW Government Gazette No.82, 6 May 1988, p.2486.
7. NSW Government Gazette No.89, 6 June 1991, p.4544.
8. NSW Government Gazette No.101, 28 June 1991, p.5335.