Compliance

Proposed changes to the domestic compliance program
AFMA is presently considering whether to introduce change to its domestic compliance program following a recent review of domestic compliance arrangements and seeks consultation with stakeholders on a proposed program and compliance delivery model through the discussion paper:

AFMA's role in managing compliance

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has a responsibility to enforce the provisions of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 through the detection and investigation of illegal activities by both domestic and foreign fishing boats in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) and Commonwealth managed fisheries.

Our Compliance section seeks to provide a cost effective service which ensures all fishing undertaken in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ), under Commonwealth jurisdiction is conducted in a manner which maintains the integrity of Commonwealth fisheries management arrangements. We seek to achieve a level of compliance such that industry and the community at large can be confident that fishers are operating within the rules of each fishery management regime.

AFMA administers compliance programs directed towards both domestic and foreign fishing vessels, covering licensed and illegal fishing activity. The Commonwealth also has flag State responsibilities for fishing undertaken by Australian boats on the high seas under international treaties and agreements. Main functions include:

•  ensuring compliance with AFMA’s domestic fisheries management measures;

• ensuring licensed foreign boats comply with conditions for fishing within the AFZ;

• surveillance and apprehension of unlicensed foreign vessels fishing in the AFZ, including conducting deterrence and apprehension activities in tropical, temperate and cold water regions

Effective compliance is achieved through a combination of measures, including continued education and stakeholder participation in the development of management rules, effective law enforcement deterrents involving targeted operations and inspections, intelligence gathering, risk assessments and mitigation measures. Specific measures include monitoring activities and a comprehensive catch/landing reporting system for quota. In the majority of fisheries managed by AFMA, vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are used to provide real-time position reporting of boats and movements in and out of port.

Page last updated 14 October, 2008