Partnerships

Northern Australian Fisheries Management

A common forum for agencies to identify future priorities, discuss progress, and ensure complementary activities are undertaken across jurisdictions for fisheries in Northern Australia.

NAFM Workshop 2006

Partnerships

The marine resources managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) are important community assets which support significant commercial fishing activity, growing levels of recreational fishing and some subsistence and traditional fishing.

In acknowledging the diversity of stakeholders, AFMA maintains a firm commitment to managing Commonwealth fisheries resources for the benefit of the community as a whole. Accordingly, co-operation with the community, industry, government agencies and others with an interest in the sustainable management of the Commonwealth's fisheries resources is a vital part of AFMA's approach.

This philosophy is embodied in the partnership approach that AFMA has adopted which actively involves a range of interested parties, including fisheries managers, scientists, industry and other stakeholders, in the process of developing and implementing fisheries management arrangements. This approach is based on close consultation, raising awareness of fisheries resource management issues and providing opportunities for direct input into the fisheries management decision making process. In adopting this approach AFMA is endeavouring to achieve greater awareness, acceptance and ownership of fisheries management arrangements through interaction, education and consultation.

Management Advisory Committees
Central to our partnership approach is the establishment and operation of Management Advisory Committees (MACs) for each major fishery

Resource Assessment Groups
In striving to achieve a balance between resource use and conservation, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the MACs draw upon advice provided by Resource Assessment Groups which have been established for each major fishery group or individual species.

Partnerships with other agencies
Another important component of the partnership approach is the close working relationship that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority has established with a number of other agencies.