How we work

In managing Commonwealth fisheries resources on behalf of the Australian community and key stakeholders, we:

  • make and implement decisions that are consistent with our functions, legislative objectives and Government policies and directions
  • are committed to a partnership approach which actively involves a range of interested parties, including fisheries managers, industry, scientists, environment/conservation agencies and other stakeholders, in the process of developing and implementing fisheries management arrangements through the establishment and continued operation of Management Advisory Committees (MACs) for each major Commonwealth fishery
  • process licensing and entitlement transactions for all Commonwealth fisheries (excluding Torres Strait) to give effect to fisheries management arrangements
  • collect license fees and management levies from foreign and domestic fishers to allow for cost recovery of licensing and management services
  • ensure that the biological and economic state of each Commonwealth managed fishery is assessed on a continuing basis and that important gaps in knowledge are identified and overcome through research projects funded by the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) research funds
  • draw upon scientific and economic advice provided by Resource Assessment Groups (RAGs) which co-ordinate, evaluate and undertake stock assessment activity in each fishery and report their recommendations to the individual fishery Management Advisory Committees and AFMA
  • manage a substantial data collection program through our Logbook Program; we collect catch, effort and other information from operators in all Commonwealth managed and Torres Strait Protected Zone fisheries to provide an understanding of the characteristics of each fishery
  • we provide professional observer services to domestic and foreign fishing vessels operating within the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ), including sub-Antarctic territories and waters controlled under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic and Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
  • in conjunction with other relevant Commonwealth agencies, enforce the provisions of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 through the detection and investigation of illegal fishing activity by both domestic and foreign fishing boats in the AFZ and Commonwealth fisheries
  • participate in an advisory capacity to Australian delegations, in international fora such as the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, the Forum Fisheries Commission, CCAMLR and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
  • report on our progress and performance against our legislative and corporate objectives in an Annual Report to the Parliament and make Corporate and Annual Operational Plans approved by the Federal Minister Fisheries.