The Otway Marine Industries Co-Existence Cooperative (OMICC) would like to provide you with the latest update on the Otway Adjustment Protocol, which offers a fair, evidence-based compensation process for commercial marine operators who may be affected by petroleum activities undertaken by the OMICC founders, CGG and ConocoPhillips Australia, in the Otway region.

What we heard

In February we held the OMICC roadshow, where we visited the south-west region to present the protocol in person. We thank those who participated and attended the sessions. During these sessions we received useful feedback that we have been able to include in our on-water and protocol plans.

Fishers asked if we would visit again in person if help was needed in lodging the claims.

We can accommodate this and will also be available to support via other communication channels, as requested by fishers.

We were told that since 3G shut down in the area that mobile coverage was now an issue, using Starlink, internet is now the preferred mode of communication, along with VHF.

On-water comms for the projects will use multiple methods, including VHF and email.

Fishers were concerned that displacement would have a knock-on effect on other fishers.

We listened to this concern and have updated the protocol.

Please note feedback specific to the activities are assessed and reported by the relevant project.

Updates to the protocol.

The definition of displacement is now: the relocation of commercial fishing activity or other commercial marine operations from within the Adjustment Area to a Displacement Area as a result of a petroleum activity.

• The displacement area has been defined as: an alternative fishing ground that is within 50 kilometres of the Adjustment Area.

• We have updated the protocol to define the claim period: The period during and after a petroleum activity for which a claim for loss adjustment can be made, which is from the notified start date of an activity and no more than 30 days after the notified end date of an activity.

• The lodgement period has been defined as: The period during and after a petroleum activity within which a claim can be lodged, which is from the notified start date of an activity and no longer than 183 days after the notified end date of an activity.

• Under Section 3, a case-by-case claim example of an indirectly affected fisher has been included: For example, if a commercial fisher, whose regular fishing grounds are within the Displacement Area, believes they are indirectly affected by another commercial fisher who has been displaced and has moved into the first fishers regular fishing grounds they may qualify as a claimant under the CPUE adjustment process detailed above.

Representatives from OMICC visited local ports in Victoria to present the OMICC adjustment protocol in person.

30 April 2024

TGS, CGG, and ConocoPhillips Australia introduced the Otway Marine Industries Co-Existence Cooperative (OMICC) and our first initiative, the Otway Adjustment Protocol. The Otway Adjustment Protocol will be how commercial marine operators can make a claim in the event that there is unavoidable interference with a petroleum activity carried out by one of the OMICC members.

The key features of the Protocol are:

• Evidence-Based Compensation: For displacement, loss of catch, and fishing gear loss or damage.
• Single Point of Entry: A streamlined process for submitting and managing compensation claims.
• Commitment to Transparency: Ensuring clear, open communication and processes.
• Community Engagement: Inviting feedback and input from commercial marine operators and industry associations to refine and improve our approach.

The Otway Adjustment Protocol was available for commercial fishers and commercial marine operators to comment on for 60 days between 2 May 2024 and 2 July 2024.

Comments were made publicly on the OMICC website, or via submissions made to feedback@omicc.com.au.