Media Statement
Tsunami Fishing Equipment Appeal

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FISHING INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND RECFISHWEST

Western Australian organisations in conjunction with AusAid are in the process of launching an Australia wide fishing and aquaculture equipment appeal aimed at providing the communities of Indonesia and Sri Lanka with replacement equipment for that lost as a result of the Tsunami that recently devastated the coastal fishing communities of these countries.

The Department of Fisheries is the coordinating agency within Western Australia for this appeal and will work in conjunction with these Commonwealth agencies, other State Government Departments, Recfishwest, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, other fishing and aquaculture stakeholders and community groups to collect equipment destined for these devastated communities.

To facilitate donors wishing to claim equipment donated as a tax deduction the appeal will be run in conjunction with the registered charity, Father Brian Crisis Care Centre.

It is essential that appropriate fishing and aquaculture equipment is donated to these communities to meet their individual needs and AusAid and other aid agencies are presently investigating these specific equipment requirements. The detailed aid requirements will be communicated back to the relative State coordinating bodies through Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF) within the next three to four weeks.

Whilst specific commercial type fishing and aquaculture equipment needs are to be carefully selected, there is a wide range of general fishing equipment that would immediately be beneficial for commercial and subsistence fishing by these communities.

Whilst the details of specific fishing and aquaculture requirements are not known it is intended that the donation processes for equipment of a general nature commence immediately. Simultaneously the contact details of community and industry members' wishing to donate equipment of a more substantive commercial nature may be logged for recording for availability without delivery at this time. The Department will follow up these records once these commercial equipment needs are identified through the relative aid programs. This will allow for the matching of needs to requirements

Members of the community are encouraged to donate the following types of fishing equipment to the Tsunami Fishing Equipment Appeal:

• outboard motors;
• dinghies (less than four meters in length);
• fishing lines, hooks and sinkers;
• tackle boxes;
• throw nets;
• rope;
• marine safety equipment (lifejackets, oars and anchors);
• rolls of galvanised chicken or bird wire mesh (to make fish traps);
• sail cloth;
• diving equipment (goggles, flippers, snorkels and wetsuits); and
• drop nets, scoop nets and hand trawl prawn nets.

The main collection point for donated equipment will be the Department's Fleet Maintenance Centre located at Capo D'Orlando Drive Fremantle and the Department of Fisheries five regional offices located in Albany, Busselton, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Broome.

The website for recording of other substantive equipment available for donation is www.fish.wa.gov.au.

The Department will contact you on delivery needs and timing for this more substantive equipment once the needs are identified which match the equipment.

Members of the public within the metropolitan area wishing to make donations of fishing equipment of a general nature should contact the Department of Fisheries 92392400 to arrange delivery acceptance.

Donations of goods of a small size can also be delivered to the offices of Recfishwest at WA Sports House Suite 8 Challenge Stadium Mt Claremont, Ph 938 77864.

Members of the public, within the regional Western Australia wishing to make donations should contact the nearest Department of Fisheries regional office to arrange delivery acceptance.

Tax Deductibility
Under the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidelines, gifts (donations) of equipment are tax deductible if they are donated to a registered charitable institute. This aid appeal will be run in conjunction with the Father Brian Crisis Care Centre, which is a registered charity.

All relevant details in respect to donated fishing equipment will be provided to Father Brian's organisation of ATO registration.

Under the ATO guidelines, donated equipment is eligible tax deductibility if:

• value of equipment is greater that $2.00;
• equipment purchased for donation is accompanied by proof of the purchase value (receipt);
• second-hand equipment MUST be purchased within the last 12 months;
• property donated of a value greater than $5,000, as valued by the ATO;

It is recommended that anyone seeking further clarification on the tax deductibility of donated fishing equipment contact the Australian Taxation Office on 1300 130 248.

All second hand equipment donated where the donor wishes to have claimed the gift as a tax deduction will be required to complete a Statutory Declaration stating the value of the donated gift.

The Department will provide all donors wishing to claim a tax deduction with a receipt confirming the donation.




This page last updated February 2005.