AFMA received a request for video footage of sea lion interactions from the Adelaide Advertiser under Freedom of Information Laws. AFMA is respectful of the privacy of fishers when camera systems are used and in order to protect the privacy of fishers involved has agreed to release edited still footage to ensure individuals and boats involved in the interactions cannot be identified.

Q: When were the images released?

The images were sent to the Adelaide Advertiser by post on 18 April 2013.

Q: What do the images portray?

The 64 still images represent 10 sea lion interactions reported between July 2011 and March 2012. All sea lion interactions have been previously publically reported under requirements of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. There have been no further sea lion interactions reported in the fishery since March 2012.

Q: What has AFMA been doing to stop sea lions interacting with gillnets?

In 2010 AFMA implemented gillnet fishing closures around sea lion colonies off South Australia closing an area of 6,300 square kilometres.  These closures were increased in size covering 18,500 square kilometres in 2011 providing increased protection for Australian sea lions.  In 2012 further sea lion interactions triggered larger gillnet fishing closures and AFMA closures now total an area of approximately 102,000 square kilometres (an area much bigger than the size of Tasmania) to fishing. There have been no sea lion deaths since March 2012 and this is confirmed by monitoring every trip, either with video cameras or an AFMA observer on board. AFMA’s quick intervention, and the cooperation of the fishing industry, has provided urgent and comprehensive protection for sea lions.

Q: What is the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy and how do the closures work?

In July 2010, AFMA implemented the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy for South Australian waters under Commonwealth jurisdiction. This included introducing closures around sea lion colonies as well as establishing larger areas that would be closed if a certain number (trigger) of sea lions deaths occurred. The total trigger limit across all management zones is 15 sea lion deaths within the 12 month fishing season. This trigger limit is broken down into several zones, as outlined in the map of the fishery (current from 15 May). If the trigger limit for an individual zone in exceeded then the zone is closed to gillnet fishing. If the total limit across all zones is exceeded then all waters off South Australian under Commonwealth jurisdiction will be closed to gillnet fishing. Smaller zone closures have proven so successful that AFMA hasn’t needed to close all zones. The Sea Lion Management Strategy is reviewed regularly by AFMA’s Marine Mammal Working Group, which comprises marine mammal experts, industry and conservation representatives and government officials.

Q: Will the closures be permanent?

AFMA will continue to consult with stakeholders, industry members and advisory groups on the development of longer term solutions.

AFMA also works very hard to balance competing priorities; to limit the impact of fishing operations on the environment but still enable fishing business to be viable and to meet the needs of Australian seafood consumers.

Q: How does AFMA know if sea lions are being caught by fishers?

The Gillnet, Hook and Trap (GHAT) sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery is subject to 10% on-board observer coverage. When fishers are in South Australian waters under Commonwealth jurisdiction, they must have electronic monitoring systems or on-board observers at all times. This includes the Australian Sea Lion management zone. All interactions with sea lions must be reported to AFMA.

Q: Is electronic monitoring a useful fisheries management tool?

Electronic monitoring of fishing operations with camera systems has been highly successful at increasing our knowledge of the impacts of fishing on protected and endangered species. This helps AFMA manage Commonwealth fisheries more effectively.

Q: Why wasn’t all information released under freedom of information?

AFMA collects a variety of data including personal and business information in undertaking its functions.  AFMA may only disclose the information it collects if authorised by law.  The Privacy Act 1992 governs how AFMA may use and disclose the personal information it collects. In addition to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act 1982 states that material does not need to be disclosed if it would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal or commercially information. Under this act, commercially valuable information held by AFMA is considered exempt from disclosure.

Read about AFMA’s good work on limiting sea lion deaths

Read the letter AFMA has written to the Adelaide Advertiser to clarify some of the points raised in the article of 13 May 2013.

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This is confirmed by monitoring on every gillnet trip, either with video cameras or an Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) observer on board and is an excellent result for sea lion populations and the fishing industry.

AFMA acted quickly to close an area of 6,300 square kilometers in 2010 after a scientific study indicated there were  unreported sea lion deaths  occurring each year due to gillnet fishing.

AFMA implemented more extensive closures following sea lion interactions in the shark fishery in early 2012, taking the total area closed to fishing to approximately 102,000 square kilometers, an area much bigger than the size of Tasmania. There have been no reported deaths since that time.

AFMA’s quick intervention and the cooperation of the fishing industry, has provided urgent and comprehensive protection for sea lions, with marine mammal expert Associate Professor Simon Goldsworthy saying that this sets a benchmark for other fisheries.

“Globally, this is now seen as an important case study,” Associate Professor Goldsworthy said.

AFMA acting CEO, Mr Peter Venslovas, said that this confirmed that consumers could be confident in buying Australian seafood knowing that effective management arrangements are in place to protect sea lions.

“AFMA works very hard to limit the impact of fishing operations on the environment but still enable fishing business to be viable and to meet the needs of Australian seafood consumers” he said.

AFMA has implemented ongoing gillnet fishing closures around all sea lion breeding colonies and has added two additional closures around newly identified breeding colonies from 1 May 2013. These closures form part of the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy developed by marine mammal experts, industry and conservation representatives and government officials.

Shark fishers have also been participating in a trial using hooks instead of gillnets as these pose much less risk to sea lions.  The trial will be completed later in 2013.

The fishing industry is working with AFMA on future management arrangements for the fishery to further reduce the impact of fishing on marine mammals.

Electronic monitoring is sometimes used in place of observers to record catch data, including interaction with protected species. AFMA is bound by certain obligations to protect the identity of fishers and commercially sensitive information and must observe these requirements when determining what information can be released.

Contact: Rebecca Atkins, AFMA Communications 02 6225 5541 or 0447 942 840 or rebecca.atkins@afma.gov.au.

The post AFMA’s strong measures result in zero sea lion deaths appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Great Australian Bight Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC)

This MAC deals with matters relating to the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery.

South East Management Advisory Committee (SEMAC)

This MAC deals with matters in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (excluding the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector), the Small Pelagic Fishery and Southern Squid Jig Fishery.

The role of Management Advisory Committees

The MAC is AFMA’s main point of contact with key stakeholder groups. MACs discuss strategic management issues of the relevant fisheries, identify problems and develop possible solutions. Based on these discussions, MACs provide the AFMA Commission with recommendations for its decision.

Who should apply?

AFMA is seeking nominations for positions on the two MACs from the fishing industry, conservation/environment, state government, and recreational/charter (where they are relevant to the fishery) sectors. Preferably, applicants will have detailed knowledge about the characteristics of the fishery and expertise in the aspects of fishing in the relevant sectors. Fisheries Management Paper 1 provides that Research positions on MACs are typically filled by the relevant Resource Assessment Group Chair.

How do I apply?

AFMA’s policy is to provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in MACs by making an open call for nominations to fill the MAC positions. To be considered for a SEMAC or GABMAC industry position please complete the application form below:

Link to MAC application form for industry (Word, 41kb)

Link to MAC application form for industry (pdf,200kb)

For all other positions please submit a curriculum vitae and brief cover note summarising your experience, qualifications and reason for your application AFMA before close of business 15 May 2013.

Submit you expression of interest by:

Post:

Sally Weekes
Acting Manager, Projects
AFMA
Box 7051
CANBERRA  BC ACT 2601

Email:

sally.weekes@afma.gov.au

Further information

Information on the role of MACs, MAC members and the selection and appointment process is outlined in Fisheries Management Paper 1.

For more information about the role or selection process please contact:

Sally Weekes
(02) 6225 5341
sally.weekes@afma.gov.au

or

Beth Gibson
(02) 6225 5305
beth.gibson@afma.gov.au

The post Expressions of interest sought for Management Advisory Committee membership appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Tropical Tuna RAG (TT RAG)

• Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery
• Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery
• Skipjack Tuna Fisheries

Scallop RAG (ScallopRAG)

• Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery

Small Pelagic Fishery RAG (SPF RAG)

• Small Pelagic Fishery

Squid RAG (SquidRAG)

• Southern Squid Jig Fishery

Sub-Antarctic RAG (SARAG)

• Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery and Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery

Shelf RAG

• Southern and Eastern and Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF)

Slope RAG

• Southern and Eastern and Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF)

Shark RAG

• Southern and Eastern and Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF)

Great Australian Bight RAG (GABRAG)

• Southern and Eastern and Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF)

The role of resource assessment groups

Resource assessment groups provide scientific and economic advice to AFMA and AFMA’s management advisory committees on the biological, economic and wider ecological factors affecting the relevant fishery. This includes advice on the status of fish stocks and non-target species, and the impact of fishing on the marine environment. Advice provided by the resource assessment groups is used to inform AFMA’s management decisions.

Read more on information about fisheries and the relevant resource assessment group, including minutes of past meetings.

Who should apply?

Appointments are expertise based and members are being sought for the following positions:

• Scientific
• Economic
• Industry
• Conservation/environmental
• Recreational/Charter (where relevant to the fishery)

How do I apply?

To be considered for industry positions please submit a written expression of interest (no more than one page) outlining your relevant experience and/ or qualifications.

For all other positions please submit a curriculum vitae and brief cover note summarising your experience, qualifications and reason for your application to AFMA before close of business 15 May 2013.

Submit your expression of interest by;

Post:

Sally Weekes
Acting Manager, Projects
AFMA
Box 7051
CANBERRA BC  ACT  2610

Email:

sally.weekes@afma.gov.au

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

For more information about the role or selection process please contact:

Sally Weekes
(02) 6225 5341
sally.weekes@afma.gov.au

or

Beth Gibson
(02) 6225 5305
beth.gibson@afma.gov.au

The post Expressions of interest sought for resource assessment group membership appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Photograph of the FV Wuhan (formally FV Thunder and FV Kuko taken by an Australian Customs and Border Protection aircraft on 15 April 2013.

Attempts by an illegal foreign fishing vessel, the ‘Thunder’, to offload millions of dollars’ worth of illegal catch in south-east Asia, have been thwarted by a strike force team made up of Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian authorities.

This boat has been using the alphabet technique – changing its name and flag – to deceive authorities and avoid detection.

However, Australia has remained one step ahead and has been able to track the vessel to south-east Asia – warning authorities and requesting that the boat be denied access to port.

After being refused access to the Malaysian port of Penang, the boat then tried to dock in Indonesia where it was boarded by Indonesian authorities assisted by officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). The boat was refused access and other ports in the region are on alert.

AFMA’s General Manager of Operations, Peter Venslovas, said that this is an excellent result in combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“Illegal fishing is becoming less viable. By cutting off the market end of illegal fishing operations, those responsible are finding it increasingly difficult to offload their catch, which will hurt them where it hurts most – in their hip pocket.”

Since 2007, AFMA has been working hard to increase regional engagement and co-operation and has promoted and engaged with a network of ten countries including Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia to share information and deny port access to vessels suspected of being involved in IUU activity.

Mr Venslovas said that this strong regional co-operation has made a big difference in creating an international deterrence for illegal foreign fishing operations.

“Taking collaborative action against IUU fishers demonstrates to the world that the region is working together to ensure sustainable fisheries into the future.”

Since 2004, no IUU boats have been detected in Australian southern waters but a threat remains from vessels undertaking IUU fishing outside of Australian waters. These vessels fish in the Southern Ocean and use south-east Asian ports to unload their illegal catch and re-supply. The operations are highly organised, mobile and elusive.

In 2012, four IUU vessels were denied entry into ports in Singapore and Malaysia. Three other IUU vessels in the region are currently being monitored in case they seek to access ports.

Contact Rebecca Atkins, AFMA Communications 02 6225 5541 or 0447 942 840 or rebecca.atkins@afma.gov.au.

The post Thunder Struck appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

To support fishery management decisions AFMA needs reliable and representative information on the scale and impact of fishing.

AFMA collects this information through several methods that collectively form the monitoring program in a fishery. Current monitoring includes self-reported fishery logbooks, catch disposal records, onboard observers, integrated vessel monitoring systems and electronic monitoring. Electronic monitoring systems can be a cost effective alternative to observers for providing independent information and verfying logbook data.

What is electronic monitoring?

Electronic monitoring (EM) uses sensors and cameras to monitor and record information on fishing activity in a very targeted way. Sensor data and video footage is analysed retrospectively to provide information and verify logbooks according to the needs indentified for that fishery.

What data is collected?

The type of data collected depends on the monitoring objectives and information needs in the fishery. This varies between fisheries and may include information on where and when fishing is occurring, how much gear is being used, and what species are being caught. Sensors detect when fishing activity is occurring and the EM system is triggered to record footage during fishing activity.

Who owns the data?

Data is provided to AFMA to be used for AFMA purposes in the same way that logbook and other data is. AFMA retains ownership of the data including the footage.

What happens to the data?

Sensor data and video footage is analysed by AFMA or an AFMA-contracted service provider. Analysed data is managed and held in databases by AFMA in the same way as existing logbook and observer data. This data is used to inform management decisions and allows AFMA to verify logbook records.

What happens to video footage?

Once the video footage has been analysed and the data recorded, AFMA no longer requires this footage and it will be deleted as soon as possible. Under current agreement between AFMA and the National Archives of Australia, footage must be retained for six months. AFMA will only hold footage longer if it has not yet been analysed or if it is required for compliance purposes.

When can data be disclosed?

As with all information it collects, AFMA must be able to use and disclose EM data (including video footage) where this is necessary to carry out its functions under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and Fisheries Administration Act 1991.
This includes disclosure to other government agencies of data that relates to:

• possible breaches of the law
• the administration and management of fisheries and marine environments
• research or monitoring about marine fisheries or environments.

AFMA could also be required by other laws to disclose data, such as the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), or by court order.

AFMA cannot lawfully disclose information unless authorised or required by law.

Various safeguards can apply to the disclosure of personal or commercial information; for example, AFMA may prevent or limit this information being passed to others, and where personal information is not relevant to the purpose of the disclosure, the personal information can be obscured.

How do Freedom of Information requests apply to electronic monitoring data?

The FOI Act applies equally to data in written form or in visual form, such as video footage.

If a request is made under the FOI Act for access to EM footage, the footage may be exempt from disclosure on a number of grounds. These grounds include that the information has commercial value that could reasonably be expected to be destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed, or where the footage contains personal information.

In that circumstance, AFMA would first consult with the person(s) who may be affected by the release. The affected person(s) would have review rights in the event that AFMA decided that the information should be released. More information on FOI requests and your rights can be found in AFMA’s guide to Freedom of Information arrangements.

How will commercially valuable information be protected?

AFMA takes measures to ensure that commercially valuable information is protected and only discloses this information where it is required under law. Where commercially valuable information is not relevant to the purpose of the disclosure, this information can be obscured.

Can individuals be identified in electronic monitoring data?

The identity of crew members may be discernible on footage taken for AFMA purposes. This could constitute ‘personal information’ under the Privacy Act 1988.

It is therefore important that Masters inform their crews before they are engaged for a fishing trip that EM equipment will be operating on the boat and certain fishing activities will be recorded by the cameras. Masters will also need to make crew members aware they may be identified on the footage and the video footage may be disclosed by AFMA to third parties for authorised purposes, subject to the exemptions outlined earlier.

AFMA can assist by providing signage to concession holders and a briefing pamphlet for Masters and crew.

How many FOI requests does AFMA receive?

In the past 2 years, AFMA has received four requests for EM footage. Three of these requests were either withdrawn or refused. In the remaining case, AFMA released still images extracted from video footage with commercial and sensitive personal information removed.

For more information please contact Jeremy Richter, Senior Manager Service One on 02 6225 5402 or Jeremy.richter@afma.gov.au

The post About Electronic Monitoring and Information Disclosure appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

A water sprayer in action in the South East Trawl fishery (Courtesy of the vessel Lady Miriam)

In an Australian first, fishermen have designed and built a new seabird mitigation device using a water sprayer to scare birds away from warp wires. Those involved include the owner of the South East Trawl boat Lady Miriam, based in Lakes Entrance, Tony Guarnaccia, the skipper, Trevor “Bluey” Hunt and his crew, along with Sot Sotirakis, an engineer and South East Trawl Operator.

Seabirds are natural scavengers and are attracted to the opportunities that fishing boats offer. In their aggressiveness to get the food they are often not aware of the warp wires that can entangle them until it is too late. The water sprayer works by delivering a spray of water from a boom angled over the area where birds are at greatest risk—i.e. where the warp wires enter the water. The birds avoid the jets of water and are less likely to be entangled in the warp wire.

The team has been working hard on developing the water sprayer and is continuing to collect information on its effectiveness to get the device assessed and available to other fishers who may wish to use it. The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) has uploaded footage of the water sprayer in action.

Australian Fisheries Management Authority CEO Dr James Findlay said that industry plays an important role in developing by-catch mitigation devices with a real understanding of how such devices can work in practical applications.

“It’s great when fishers like Tony and Bluey develop new and innovative ideas which help protect seabirds”, Dr Findlay said.

SETFIA CEO, Simon Boag said that the water sprayer is just one example where fishers have worked to improve outcomes for protected species. “Fishers in the South East Trawl Sector are committed to protecting threatened, endangered and protected species, we will continue to work with AFMA to develop by-catch mitigation devices”, he said.

Activities to improve outcomes for by-catch are also being undertaken in several fisheries managed by AFMA under ‘Caring for our Country’.

For more information regarding by-catch issues please contact Mike Gerner, AFMA Bycatch Program Manager on 02 6225 5379, or mike.gerner@afma.gov.au.

The post Industry innovation is saving birds in the South East Trawl appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Marine Nation 2025 highlights the enormous potential of Australia’s marine resources to contribute to the Australian economy, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved in their management.

“Australia’s oceans are a critical part of our economy and will play a vital role in our future prosperity,” Mr Bowen said.

“With an estimated economic value of around $42 billion in 2009-10, it is critical that we manage our oceans in a sustainable and sensible way. Marine Nation 2025 provides a framework to start a national discussion on how we can better benefit from our oceans while preserving their health for future generations.”

The report outlines six major challenges for the management of Australia’s marine resources: sovereignty, national security and natural hazards, energy security, food security, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, climate change, and resource allocation.

The report was prepared by the Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group and can be found at www.aims.gov.au/opsag .
For more information please contact Beth Gibson, Senior Manager Policy, Environment, Economics and Research on 02 6225 5305 or email beth.gibson@afma.gov.au.

The post Australia’s marine resources key to our economic future appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The Total Allowable Catch for Patagonian Toothfish caught in the Macquarie Island fishery has been set at 415t for the 2013/14 fishing year. A bycatch limit has been set at 50 tonnes for any other species caught in the fishery.

The Macquarie Island fishing season starts on 1 May. Following the recent amendments to the fishing season date changes, the new dates now coincides with the start of the longline fishing season, which runs from 1 May to 31 August.

The longline season only occurs over winter months to ensure no seabirds are caught around Macquarie Island. Weighted lines also mean that the lines enter the water at water level which reduces the chance of birds trying to take bait off the hooks. These world’s best practice bird mitigation measures mean that no seabirds have been caught since the longlining method was introduced in 2007.

All boats fishing around Macquarie Island are also required to carry two AFMA observers to ensure fishing operations are monitored.

For more information please contact Trent Timmiss, Senior Manager Tuna and International Fisheries on 02 6225 5313 or trent.timmiss@afma.gov.au.

The post Patagonian Toothfish Total Allowable Catches set for 2013/14 appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

E-monitoring can include cameras, global positioning systems and sensors and can generate a range of visual and nonvisual information for monitoring fishing and related activities.

E-monitoring will enhance AFMA’s ability to manage Commonwealth fisheries as it provides AFMA with accurate, comprehensive and timely data on the state of fish stocks and on the impacts of fishing on both fish stocks and the marine environment. It is also a cost effective alternative to using observers for industry and will complement the information AFMA receives from observers, vessel-monitoring systems and logbook reporting.

A number of provisions have also been introduced to deter fishers from hindering the operation of e-monitoring equipment, or to modify, damage, or destroy e-monitoring data.

The changes to the legislation will increase the effectiveness of AFMA’s enforcement powers by providing a higher level of at-sea monitoring. This will provide greater certainty for fishers and the community that Australia’s fisheries are well managed and will continue to be sustainable in the future.

For more information, please contact Jeremy Richter, Senior Manager, Service One on 02 6225 5402 or jeremy.richter@afma.gov.au.

The post E-monitoring now available for all Commonwealth fisheries appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Following feedback from industry AFMA has now expanded access to AFMAs online Licensing system GoFish, to Apple MAC users.

MAC users are now able to join their PC counterparts in viewing and trading their fishing concession online 24hr a day 7 days a week.

As well as providing around the clock access to your fishing concessions, trading on GoFish is cheaper than submitting paper based applications.

If you would like to know more click on the GoFish logo on the AFMA website at www.afma.gov.au or contact AFMA Licensing on 1300 723 621.

Please note: AFMA is aware that some users are currently experiencing problems when using GoFish with Internet Explorer 10. AFMA is working on resolving this problem as soon as possible.

The post GoFish now available to Apple MAC users appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The meeting will give you an opportunity to engage with the AFMA Commissioners and gain an understanding of recent fisheries management initiatives and the key challenges for the organisation in the coming period.

For more information please contact Ryan Murphy, Executive Secretary, on 02 6225 5576 or ryan.murphy@afma.gov.au.

The post AFMA Commission’s Annual Public Meeting appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Skippers and crew in training in Cairns

Over 60 Northern Prawn fishers have improved their understanding of Turtle Excluder Devices and Bycatch Reduction Devices at workshops run in Cairns, Darwin and Karumba in March.

The workshop examined a range of issues facing the fishery and worked on developing strategies and actions that the fishermen can adopt to further improve the sustainability of the industry.
Presenters covered a wide range of topics including protected species mitigation, regulatory and reporting requirements and fish stock assessments.

The program is a joint initiative between AFMA and industry with funding being granted through the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for Our Country’ program.

It follows a similar initiative for trawl fishing that won Seamec Maritime Education and the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) a joint award at the 2011 Victorian Seafood Industries training awards.

For more information please contact Mike Gerner, Manager Bycatch Program on (02) 6225 5379 or mike.gerner@afma.gov.au.

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These changes are necessary so that the two Management Plans are consistent with the recently approved Quota Administration Policy and all other fishery Management Plans. The Policy requires that all quota species taken need to be accounted for against individual quota holdings.

AFMA invites interested persons to provide written submissions on the draft amendments to the BSCZSF and SESSF plans by 5pm on 13 May 2013.

Copies of the draft amendments to the BSCZSF Plan and the SESSF Plan are available on
AFMA’s website (www.afma.gov.au) or may be obtained by contacting AFMA on (02) 6225 5555.

Written submissions should be forwarded to:

• The Manager, Policy, Australian Fisheries Management Authority
  Box 7051, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610; or
• fax: (02) 6225 5500; or
•  e-mail to: vyt.vilkaitis@afma.gov.au

For more information please contact Vyt Vilkaitis, Manager Policy, Environment and Economics on (02) 6225 5425 or vyt.vilkaitis@afma.gov.au.

The post Invitation for submissions on proposed Management Plan amendments in the Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery and South-East Scalefish and Shark fishery appeared first on Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

AFMA officers Bonney Webb and Paul O’Donnell (right), with Timor Leste fisheries inspection department and Navy personnel at the Timor Leste Navy Base at Hera, 17 km outside of Dili. High levels of IUU activity in this area impacts the significant economic potential that fisheries development can offer the Timorese people.

Two fisheries officers from AFMA’s International Compliance Operations team recently visited Timor Leste to raise awareness on issues associated with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity in Timor Leste waters.  During the visit the officers provide training and education to the Timor Leste fisheries compliance agencies, including the Marine Police and Navy.

AFMA has been working closely with its counterpart agency in Timor Leste, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) for a number of years, to develop fisheries in one of the world’s newest and least developed countries. Timor Leste’s unique and pristine coastline coupled with an abundance of highly commercially valuable fish species is increasingly popular with tourists for its recreational diving and natural beauty. Illegal fishing threatens to compromise these economic oppurtunities for Timorese development.

AFMA officers demonstrated that Australia’s cooperative compliance model is an effective way to combat IUU fishing in both Australia’s Northern and Southern waters. The officers also attended the 13th National Police Day for Timor Leste which was attended by more than 250 guests including President, Taur Matan Ruak and the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão.

This AFMA officer exchange was part of an AusAID funded fisheries development and officer exchange program. The next phase of the program will see the two Timorese MAF officers work alongside AFMA officers in Australia for a month in the second half of 2013.

For more information, contact Cindy Bravos, Manager International Compliance Operations (08) 8943 0355 or cindy.bravos@afma.gov.au

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