NX fishery symbol

• If the camera is not functioning properly, you cannot start a fishing trip.
• You must try to fix your system by following the steps in the relevant operational guide.
• If you need help, email datavalidation@daf.qld.gov.au or phone 13 25 23 during business hours (8am–5pm, Monday to Friday).
• If you can fix the camera and it's functioning properly, you can start the fishing trip.
• If you can't fix the camera, you must request a temporary exception to fish without an onboard camera system and wait for approval to start the fishing trip.
  • A temporary exception will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
  • Any exception must be granted by an authorised Fisheries Queensland officer, and you may have an independent observer on board during your next planned fishing trip.

• If the camera is not functioning properly during a fishing trip, you must try to fix your system by following the steps in the relevant operational guide.
• If you need help, email datavalidation@daf.qld.gov.au or phone 13 25 23 during business hours (8am–5pm, Monday to Friday).
• If you can fix the camera and it's functioning properly, you can continue with the planned fishing trip.
  • You must advise Fisheries Queensland of the issue, date and time within 24 hours of the malfunction by emailing datavalidation@daf.qld.gov.au.
• If you can't fix the camera during your fishing trip:
  • you must notify Fisheries Queensland immediately by phoning 13 25 23 during business hours (8am–5pm, Monday to Friday) or emailing datavalidation@daf.qld.gov.au
  • you can then complete the planned fishing trip.
• If the camera is still not functioning before your next trip, you must request a temporary exception to fish without an onboard camera system and wait for approval to start the fishing trip.

It is a requirement of the NX licence conditions, issued under section 61 of the Fisheries Act 1994, that onboard camera systems are installed on board each authorised vessel and operated to record each monitored fishing event.

The purpose of the onboard cameras is to independently validate information reported in logbooks, including interactions with protected species. The use of onboard cameras aims to:

• encourage positive behaviour (appropriate handling, animal welfare)
• ensure compliance with NX licence conditions and relevant fisheries legislation
• increase community confidence in commercial fishing
• strengthen the reputation of Queensland's fisheries.

The onboard cameras will be aimed at the areas where:

• fishing gear is deployed and retrieved
• retained catch, bycatch and protected species are handled and discarded.

While the cameras are primarily focused on the locations where fish are processed and fishing gear is used, it is inevitable that video footage in which crew members will be identifiable will be captured as a byproduct of the monitoring program.

A designated area on each vessel, which is outside of the field of view of the camera, has been allocated in consultation with the owner/skipper of the vessel to provide privacy to personnel on board each vessel. This is an area that can be used for activities that do not involve the use of fishing gear or processing of fish.

Video footage is stored as encrypted data on the camera, and then encrypted files are uploaded electronically to a secure website that stores information in country within the Australian Azure Central Region in Canberra. The licence holder of the vessel is responsible for uploading the encrypted footage. Video footage will only be available to the licence holder and those staff of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries who need access to perform the objectives of the NX program.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will only use and disclose personal information to perform the purpose of the NX independent onboard monitoring program, or to respond to enquiries or complaints you lodge, unless we are authorised by law to otherwise use or disclose.

The right to information (RTI) process ensures transparency, facilitating access to government information while protecting individual privacy. Under the Right to Information Act 2009, we may be legally required to share information from the NX independent onboard monitoring program, including camera footage and associated data.

All RTI requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and personal information is typically not released. If footage is shared, it often consists of smaller portions or still images with identifying features redacted. We carefully consider privacy concerns of individuals involved and will consult with the people impacted, providing them with the opportunity to appeal the release of information.