Managing our research

Our research function is overseen by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Research Committee (ARC), a six-member committee drawn from our Commission and executive management. The Committee is responsible for:

• advising the AFMA Commission and other Commonwealth agencies on research priorities; and
• advising the AFMA Commission on research policy and issues.

Our research program encompasses four programs which are directed to meeting our legislative objectives.

Program 1 - Fisheries stocks and biology

Stock monitoring

To collect appropriate information to support stock assessments.

Understanding stocks

To underpin stock assessments with a knowledge of the stock biology and the total stock accessed by all sectors.

Program 2 - Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

Impact monitoring

To consider management decisions in the context of fishery effects on ecosystems and how this would be measured.

Impact reduction

To minimize impacts on fisheries ecosystems

Program 3 – Evaluation

Management indicators

To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing management strategies.

Management strategies

To develop management and harvest strategies to ensure best-practice management and the greatest return to industry and the community.

Program 4 – Development

Management development

To develop policies, systems and technology to support the management of Commonwealth fisheries.

Industry development

To develop skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in the fishing industry.

Further details can be found in our Strategic Research Plan 2005-2010 (which is currently being published and will be available shortly).

Page last updated 31 July, 2008