$220m to secure Australia's fishing future

On 14 December, the Federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, issued a formal direction to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to take decisive action to ensure the sustainability of our fish stocks and to secure the Australian fishing industry’s future. The direction was issued as part of the Australian Government’s $220M Securing our Fishing Future Initiative, announced in November 2005.

The direction states that:
The Australian Government considers that decisive action is needed immediately to halt overfishing and to create the conditions that will give overfished stocks a chance to recover to an acceptable level in the near future.

This document outlines the actions AFMA will take to give effect to the Australian Government’s direction and provides Commonwealth fishing holders with a clear understanding of the future operating environment in Commonwealth fisheries strategies.

Help with downloading and viewing files

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority welcomes the announcement of a structural adjustment package for Commonwealth Fisheries by the Australian Government.

The Government's package and AFMA's actions to address overfishing represent a turning point for for the future sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries and the industry's competitiveness.

Further information on the structural adjustment and management arrangements can be found below. Please note this page will be updated as further information becomes available.