Policy and planning

In managing Commonwealth fisheries, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has an obligation to develop plans and implement policy in the performance of its functions and the pursuit of its objectives. Overall guidance and direction is provided by the Fisheries Management Act and Fisheries Administration Act of 1991.

The majority of fisheries related policy development and planning functions which are undertaken by AFMA’s Fisheries Branch result in the delivery of Output 1. This output covers management of both domestic fisheries and the management of Australia’s international fishery treaty obligations. Key activities include

• development and implementation of fishery management plans and arrangements and arrangements covering target and non-target species, bycatch and broader marine ecosystem impacts
• international consultation and liaison including regional fishery management organisations (RFMOs) and management of high seas stocks
• analysis, forecasting and research on individual fishery performance
• stakeholder liaison and consultation, particularly through management advisory committees (MACs)
• development of ecological sustainability tools and management approaches to minimise the impacts of fishing on the marine environment.

Management plans and arrangements
Management plans are required for all fisheries unless AFMA has determined that a management plan for a particular fishery is not warranted. Each management plan sets out the objectives of the plan, measures by which the objectives are to be attained and performance criteria against which the measures taken may be assessed. Each plan is prepared in consultation with participants in the fishery, with a draft plan to be made available for public comment. Management plans are legislative documents.

The Commission
Commissioners are appointed on the basis of their high level of expertise in one or more of the fields of fisheries management, fishing industry operations, science, natural resource management, economics, business or financial management, law, public sector administration or governance. Commissioners cannot hold any executive position in a fishing industry association, nor can they have a controlling interest or executive role in any entity holding a Commonwealth fishing concession.

Legislation and policy
Fisheries acts and regulations as well as information on environment legislation.

Fisheries Management Papers
AFMA develops and implements a range of policies to support its application of the legislative and regulatory framework that exists for Commonwealth fisheries. These policies are contained within our Fisheries Management Papers and Fisheries Administration Papers.

Page last updated 31 July, 2008