Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Government organisation

Australian Fisheries Management Authority

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25.01.2022 AFMA’S INTERNATIONAL COMPLIANCE AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM AFMA has launched the International Compliance and Engagement Program (the ICEP) for 2020-22. The ICEP outlines AFMA’s approach to effectively prevent and deter Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone, adjacent waters and waters where Australia has an interest. IUU fishing is a threat to the sustainability and economic viability of fisheries nationally, regionally and globally. In ...2016, it was estimated that more than 306,000 tonnes of fish were harvested or transhipped involving IUU activity in Pacific tuna fisheries, costing an estimated US$616 million. AFMA has a long and successful history in dealing with illegal foreign fishing within Australian waters and driving international and regional initiatives in response to IUU fishing. The launch of the ICEP outlines AFMA’s ongoing commitment to combating IUU fishing. Download AFMA’s International Compliance and Engagement Program at: https://www.afma.gov.au/international-compliance Image of AFMA officer delivering Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA MCS Officer Foundation Course See more

25.01.2022 REGIONAL BILATERAL TABLETOP EXERCISE As Covid-19 continues to disrupt business as usual, AFMA is finding new ways to cooperate with our Pacific partners to strengthen regional fisheries management and compliance. AFMA and the Tongan Ministry of Fisheries’ Compliance Division, working in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA, recently participated in a bilateral tabletop exercise (TTX). The TTX ran through hypothetical cooperative activity scenarios ...exchanged through the Niue Treaty Information System (NTIS) and tested specific provisions of the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement (NTSA). The NTSA is an agreement to enhance cooperation between 13 countries on the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activity in the Pacific Ocean. It allows for data and information exchanges and cooperation in prosecuting and penalising operators of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing vessels. Australia is strongly committed to supporting the NTSA and promoting engagement with it throughout the Pacific. Activities such as this TTX enable Australia to support and engage with our Pacific partners, despite the current Covid-19 pandemic. See more

24.01.2022 NICE WORK PROTECTING OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT A big thanks to the crew of the MMA Inscription operated by Santos Drilling for hauling a fish aggregating device (FAD) from the Beagle Gulf, approximately 114 nautical miles west of Darwin. Their expertise in marine logistics enabled them to haul the large FAD and land it at the Port of Darwin last month. The FAD had drifted into Australian waters from foreign waters to our north and was constructed of gas cylinders, concrete, tarps, rope and floats designed to attract and aggregate pelagic fish, making them easier to find and catch. FADs can present a navigation hazard to vessels and can impact wildlife directly through entanglement of marine mammals and turtles. Once landed the FAD was disposed of.

22.01.2022 MANAGING FISHERIES TO PROTECT THREATENED SPECIES Today is Threatened Species Day, which commemorates the death of the last Tasmanian tiger in the Hobart Zoo in 1936. It is intended to raise awareness of animals and plants that are threatened with extinction and encourage efforts to protect them. As part of its role in sustainably managing Commonwealth fisheries, AFMA aims to limit interactions with protected and threatened species. It does so by implementing management strat...egies such as the Seabird Bycatch Operational Guidelines and the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy, and by producing resources such as the Protected Species ID Guide. To find out more, read about AFMA’s work to ensure sustainable fishing and threatened species can coexist, check out the AFMA website: https://www.afma.gov.au/sustai/protected-species-management Image credit Nature Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo. See more

22.01.2022 KNOW YOUR VMS REQUIREMENTS AFMA would like to remind operators of their VMS obligations. All boats nominated to Commonwealth fishing concessions are required to have an approved VMS fitted and fully functioning at all times. The VMS must remain switched on at all times even when the boat is in port, or fishing under a State or Territory concession unless you have been granted approval to turn it off temporarily. Breaching your VMS obligations may result in compliance action being taken. Find more information here: https://www.afma.gov.au/news-m//know-your-vms-requirements

21.01.2022 TORRES STRAIT BECHE-DE-MER ID GUIDE The Torres Strait beche-de-mer (BDM) species identification guide is available on the PZJA website. The guide was produced by CSIRO as part of an AFMA-funded project to develop a harvest strategy for the Torres Strait Beche-de-mer Fishery. The guide includes information on BDM breeding season, species distributions and the ecological role of sea cucumbers. Accurate species identification is important to understand total catch per species in... the fishery, and this guide serves as a useful tool to support fishers, scientists and fishery managers in species identification. The guide is available here: https://www.pzja.gov.au/bdm-species-guide and printed copies are available from the AFMA Torres Strait office. Image of prickly redfish via CSIRO See more

21.01.2022 ADD SCALLOPS TO YOUR MENU The 2020 Bass Strait and Central Zone Scallop Fishery season is in full swing, so keep an eye out for plump, scrumptious and sustainably caught Australian scallops. The season finishes on 31 December, so now is the time to get your scallop on. Raw, steamed in their shells, or baked into those famous Tasmanian pies, the Australian Gourmet Traveller has the recipes you need. https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au//recipe-collections/sc

21.01.2022 SQUID JIGGING Fishing for squid is highly targeted and generally has very little bycatch or interactions with protected species. Squid jig vessels operate at night, fishing in waters between 60 and 120 metres deep. The vessels have overhead lights illuminating the water to attract the squid. Squid are then caught when they attack lures that are jigged up and down in the water by machines. Find more info on squid jigging here: https://www.afma.gov.au/fisherie/methods-and-gear/squid-jig

20.01.2022 2021 MOON PHASE CALENDAR AVAILABLE Any day is a good day to go fishing, but planning ahead might help you know when the fish will be biting this year. Get a copy of the calendar here: https://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries-services/moon-calendar

18.01.2022 TEEMING WITH LIFE: EASTERN TUNA AND BILLFISH FISHERY CERTIFIED AS SUSTAINABLE The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, which spans the east coast of Australia, holds a Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability. It's an independent stamp of approval recognizing that our food producers are stewards of the ocean. Marine Stewardship Council in Australia & NZ

18.01.2022 ‘WORLD-CLASS MANAGEMENT’: EASTERN TUNA AND BILLFISH FISHERY RECEIVES MSC CERTIFICATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY The Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF), one of Australia’s largest fisheries, has achieved the global gold standard for sustainability with the awarding of Marine Stewardship Council certification. The MSC certification for the ETBF has been achieved thanks to support from the Australian Government’s Our Marine Parks Grants Program, announced Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley today. The certification achieved by Tuna Australia for the ETBF highlights Australia’s world-class fisheries management and the interdependency of fisheries on a healthy and resilient marine ecosystem, said Minister Ley. Read more below.

18.01.2022 "Easy As" and delicious too.

17.01.2022 Thinking seafood for Christmas? "Consider buying Australian species that you haven't heard of before because they're just as good and half the price," Alex Stollznow from the Sydney Fish Market said.

17.01.2022 STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a key regional issue and AFMA is committed to promoting and developing regional strategies to address it. By engaging with International Fisheries Management Organisations (IFMO) and other international bodies, AFMA can ensure that Australia’s fisheries management is consistent with international standards and promote best practice in international fisheries management, part...icularly in relation to highly migratory, shared and straddling stocks in areas adjacent to the Australian Fishing Zone. Find out more about AFMA’s International Compliance and Engagement Program at: https://www.afma.gov.au/international-compliance Map compiled by Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics & Sciences (ABARES) from information supplied by the regional fisheries management organisations included in the map. EEZs were supplied by the Flanders Marine Institute, Belgium. See more

16.01.2022 DO YOU MIX CHEESE AND SEAFOOD? No one is really sure where the ‘don't mix seafood and cheese’ rule originated, but most agree that it was somewhere in Italy, way back when. Interesting read from SBS Food Food Safari Water https://www.sbs.com.au//2/09/27/can-cheese-and-seafood-mix

16.01.2022 ROAST BLUE GRENADIER WITH BROCCOLINI, LEMON AND BURNT BUTTER With its delicate, sweet flavour and flaky flesh, Blue Grenadier is perfect for baking. Here’s a recipe from Australian Gourmet Traveller that we are going to try. https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au//roast-fish-with-brocc

15.01.2022 UNLICENSED FISH RECEIVER FINED IN THE TORRES STRAIT An unlicensed fish receiver operating in the Torres Strait, was convicted in the Thursday Island Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 13 October 2020, for offences identified in late 2019. The man was found in illegal possession of 41.3 kilograms of processed sea cucumbers (also known as beche de mer) and operating an unlicensed fish receiving operation in the Torres Strait Protected Zone. The man was convicted and fined $1,500.00 plus costs for breaching the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984, with the proceeds of the sale of the seized product ($5,194.20) ordered to be forfeited to the Commonwealth. Read more: https://www.pzja.gov.au//unlicensed-fish-receiver-fined-to

14.01.2022 TORRES STRAIT ROCK LOBSTER FISHERY CLOSES 30 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery will close for the season on 30 September 2020. All commercial catch must be landed and weighed by a Torres Strait Fish Receiver by 11:59pm on 30 September 2020. Commercial fishers should retain a copy of the catch disposal report issued by the fish receiver when landed. The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster (TRL) Fishery will be closed from 1 October 1 December 202...0. This closure does not affect traditional fishing activities. If you have questions call the AFMA office on 1300 723 621. See more

13.01.2022 SHARING AUSTRALIA’S COMMONWEALTH FISHERIES RESOURCES A framework for sharing Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries resources is being developed. The framework will set out the principles and approach we will use to share fisheries resources between fishing sectors. It will be applied to Commonwealth-managed fisheries. It will not impact state-managed and territory-managed fisheries. You can now provide feedback on the draft framework. Your feedback will help design a resource sh...aring framework that meets your needs. Share your feedback here: https://haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/sharing-fisheries-resources See more

11.01.2022 Are you keen to hear more about SIA's mental health pilot program? Listen to Interim CEO Veronica Papacosta discuss the program with Eddie Summerfield on the National Rural News.

10.01.2022 ARE AUSTRALIAN MARINE PARKS DISPLAYED ON YOUR NAVIGATIONAL PLOTTER? Around the Australia coastline, there are 58 Australian Marine Parks, managed by Parks Australia. The easiest way to stay compliant on the water is to make sure marine park boundaries and zones are showing on your plotter! To make it easy, Parks Australia have put together a couple of tips to help you: Check to see what chart updates your plotter manufacturer is offering they’ve worked with a number of c...ompanies to make sure Australian Marine Parks information is included. Download FREE maps from the Parks Australia website they offer a variety of file formats to suit different plotters. Find more information here: https://www.afma.gov.au//are-australian-marine-parks-displ For regular Australian Marine Parks updates, follow Australian Marine Parks on your favourite social media platform or visit the Australia Marine Parks website.

10.01.2022 NATIVE TITLE LIST TORRES STRAIT AFMA, on behalf of the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA), consults with registered native title body corporates, registered native title claimants and any representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies. AFMA, on behalf of the PZJA, also undertakes native title notification for formal Future Act Notification. A list of future act notifications undertaken by AFMA are now available on the PZJA website. https://pzja.govcms.gov.au/native-title-list #TorresStraitRegionalAuthority

10.01.2022 NATIONAL COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM 2020-21 One of AFMA’s key goals is to effectively deter illegal fishing in Commonwealth fisheries and the Australian Fishing Zone. In order to achieve this aim, AFMA uses a National Compliance and Enforcement Program (NCEP) to carry out cost effective and efficient fisheries compliance operations. AFMA’s 2020-21 NCEP adopts a risk-based approach to the issue of illegal fishing and will focus on: compliance within Torres Strait Fis...heries failure of Commonwealth Operators to report retention/interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species quota evasion or Commonwealth fishers not accurately reporting their catch bycatch mishandling It is important that commercial operators familiarise themselves with the updated Program for 2020-21. Find more information: https://www.afma.gov.au//national-compliance-and-enforceme See more

10.01.2022 CARING FOR MORE THAN JUST THE CATCH If the ocean is your office, your livelihood, you want to protect and preserve it. Earlier this year Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries and FRDC launched the www.australianprawnfisheries.com.au website where you find heaps of information about the wild caught fisheries around Australia. You can meet the people who bring you prawns, take a tour of a prawn trawler, see what species are caught in each fisher and learn about the measures in place to keep the fisheries sustainable.

08.01.2022 GLOBAL EXPERTS DEVELOPING ROADMAP TO ADD VALUE TO WILD-CAUGHT AUSTRALIAN TUNA Story via Tuna Australia Tuna Australia has engaged seafood consulting firm SmartAqua to develop a roadmap for value-added products to support new domestic and export markets for the tuna longline industry. The work is being led by managing director Alastair Smart and head of South-East Asia operations Alistair Douglas, bringing many years of experience spanning local and global seafood markets. The... roadmap is being developed as part of the Queensland Government’s Market Diversification and Resilience Grant Program. It will look at the feasibility of different value-added options for our wild-caught tuna, Douglas told Tuna Australia. The roadmap will explore innovative product forms, markets and distribution channels to maximise market returns. Read more: https://tunaaustralia.org.au//global-experts-developing-r/ See more

07.01.2022 UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS SUCH AS MOTIVATION, PERSONALITY AND ADAPTATION TO CHANGE HELPS GREATLY IN THIS JOB As a Senior Fisheries Management Officer working in the Torres Strait, Andrew uses his unique academic background in Marine Studies and Psychology to understand the key players in fisheries management: the fish, and the people who catch them. As part of National Science Week, we asked Andrew to tell us more about how a childhood love for the sea led to him working for AFMA. Read more about Andrew’s journey in fisheries here: https://www.afma.gov.au//using-psychology-and-marine-studi #scienceweek

06.01.2022 Congratulations! Ministry of Marine Resources Cook Islands, Niue Ministry of Natural Resources - Niue MNR and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA. AFMA looks forward to using the NTIS to build on our existing partnership with FFA members in undertaking a range of cooperative activities in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

06.01.2022 CHOOSING SUSTAINABILITY: WHY THIS CHEF LOOKS FOR THE BLUE FISH TICK ON TUNA Chef Josh Harris, of Spice Bar restaurant in Mooloolaba, explains why he chooses to source MSC-labelled tuna and broadbill swordfish from the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery.

04.01.2022 PUBLIC CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS FOR POTENTIAL AFMA FUNDING IN 2021-22 AFMA has published its research priorities for 2021-22. Researchers applying for funding should use the fishery-specific project scopes available on the AFMA website as a guide. Applicants are invited to discuss their applications with the relevant Fisheries Manager and / or the AFMA Research Section prior to submitting a proposal. Find all the information on AFMA’s research priorities for 2021-22 here:... https://www.afma.gov.au//public-call-research-proposals-po The AFMA Research Section can be contacted on 02 6225 5432 or by emailing [email protected]. See more

03.01.2022 VIDEO TAPES OF DAVID ATTENBOROUGH AND LES HIDDINS LED TO AN EVOLVING CAREER IN FISHERIES Science and innovative technology can solve great challenges in fisheries and ocean conservation. Science based decisions set the fundamental standards in fisheries management and technology is integral for maximising the data and information we collect, to base those decisions on. Emily is a Senior Fisheries Officer with AFMA and has discovered that a background in science can lead to ...a rich and challenging career path. To celebrate National Science Week, we had a yarn with Emily about how she first became interested in a career on the sea and how science and technology help AFMA to manage Australia’s fisheries sustainably. Read more about Emily’s career path here:https://www.afma.gov.au//video-tapes-david-attenborough-an #scienceweek See more

03.01.2022 EASY AS A FISH FINGER SANGA Simple and delicious, you could try rice crumbs for a gluten free option. Insert hashtags https://www.facebook.com/GreatAustralianSeafood/posts/165257541929082

02.01.2022 TORRES STRAIT CSIRO 2020 PRE-SEASON LOBSTER SURVEY CSIRO will be out and about conducting a pre-season tropical rock lobster Population Survey until 14 November 2020. They will be counting and measuring lobsters at 76 dive sites (as seen on the map). The amount of seabed biota (plants and some selected animals) and substrate type will also be recorded at each survey site. If they anchor up in the afternoon, near your community, please feel free to approach them to discuss details of the survey. However, due to Covid-19 precautions, vessels should remain at least 5m away from survey vessels.

02.01.2022 TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF CAPE ARKONA Austral Fisheries has recently celebrated the launch of FV Cape Arkona, a new multipurpose boat that will be fishing for toothfish and ice mackerel in the AFMA-managed Antarctic fisheries. Check out the impressive new boat here: https://www.australfisheries.com.au/assets/vr/index.html

02.01.2022 Today is World Fisheries Day! Support Aussie fishers and enjoy some locally sourced, sustainable Australian seafood. Check out the Great Australian Seafood for great recipe ideas.

01.01.2022 WORKING TOGETHER TO REMOVE MARINE THREATS AFMA has worked together with Maritime Border Command a joint agency task force enabled by both the Australian Border Force and the Australian Defence Force in recent months to remove serious environmental hazards from the waters of northern Australia. These hazards pose a threat to a range of marine animals and their removal has helped to protect the unique biodiversity of Australia’s ocean environments. Read more:https://www.afma.gov.au//working-together-remove-marine-th

01.01.2022 Nice video. Testing a prototype of a device that aims to close the trawl and stop seals getting into the net when it is hauled back to the boat. This project falls under the co-management arrangement between AFMA and South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association with the aim to reduce interactions with seals in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark fishery.

01.01.2022 BYCATCH MANAGEMENT EXPLAINED AFMA works with industry and scientists to develop innovative ways to minimise bycatch, educate commercial fishers on how to correctly handle bycatch, and how to report on interactions. Find out more about how AFMA manages bycatch in this video.