Environment and sustainability

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is strongly committed to the conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity by promoting the sustainable use of our fisheries resources.

AFMA aims not only for healthy fish stocks, but to manage fishing in a way that takes into account effects on the broader marine environment. Through a number of policies and fishery specific management arrangements we ensure that licensed fishers take appropriate steps to minimise their impact on the ecosystem.

We have established a framework to ensure that obligations in relation to the marine environment are met. In the process we consult with experts for strategic advice on environmental issues. These experts include conservation members on fishery Management Advisory Committees and a specialised AFMA Environment Committee.

While most AFMA staff members have a part to play in the aspects of management which relate to marine conservation, we also have an Environment and Research Section that deals specifically with environmental issues. Below are some of the main areas that the Environment and Research Section are involved in.

Ecologically sustainable development
AFMA has a strong commitment to contributing to the protection of the ocean's ecosystems and biodiversity by promoting sustainable use of fisheries resources.

Ecosystem based fishery management
Ecosystem based fisheries management (EBFM) considers the impact that fisheries have on all components of the broader marine environment not just the target species. AFMA is undertaking a number of initiatives to implement EBFM across all Commonwealth fisheries with a key component being ecological risk management.

Managing bycatch
Information on the development of the Commonwealth and National bycatch policies including access to draft and final Bycatch Action Plans, and bycatch work plans.

Strategic assessments
Commonwealth fisheries are strategically assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to ensure that fisheries are managed in an ecologically sustainable way. This process is also used to assess fisheries for accreditation for the purposes of interaction with protected species and for approval to allow the export of native species.

Sharing the oceans with other users
Information regarding activities which may interact with fishing or have potential effects upon the fishing industry.

Marine protected areas
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are established to conserve particular elements of the marine environment.

Marine Bioregional Planning
Integrated spatial management in marine areas is important to all users of the marine environment. Regional Marine Plans provide information, management goals and tools for Commonwealth marine areas.

Environmental news
The AFMA Environment Policy Section produced Environment Updates from December 1997 to December 2007 reporting on AFMA’s involvement in issues of an environmental nature.

Page last updated 19 May, 2009