98th AFMA Commission meeting – Chair's Summary

The Commission convened for its 98th meeting in Canberra, ACT, and online on 12 May 2025.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Commission met with representatives of the Great Australian Bight Industry Association (GABIA) and discussed a range of management and administrative issues including orange roughy research quota, stock assessments and decision making, advisory committee setup, and seeking additional effectiveness through broadened co-management arrangements. The Commission thanked GABIA for its strong support of the recently concluded Electronic Monitoring trial. 

The Commission also considered written updates from GABIA, Northern Prawn Fishing Industry, the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association and the Scallop Fisherman’s Association of Tasmania. 

Concerns about industry viability, climate change and competition for the marine estate continue to be key concerns raised by stakeholders. 

The Commission received a detailed update from Seafood Industry Australia and the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre on the Futures of Seafood Project. Commissioners appreciated the level of information provided and affirmed their support for the project. In particular, the Commission looked forward to receiving further information on the modelling that underpins the scenarios and roadmaps to achieve/avoid them. 

Electronic Monitoring (EM) 

The Commission noted a detailed report on the successful trial of EM in the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector (GABTS). The Commission noted that all active vessels participated in the trial, and have EM already fitted, as well as GABMAC’s support for EM implementation. While noting that some work remains to refine the specifics of the EM program for the GABTS, the Commission agreed to implement EM as of 1 July 2025. 

Initially, the EM program will focus on verifying and improving logbook reporting of Endangered, Threatened and Protected species, but is expected to expand to improve estimates of discarded catch and contribute to collection of additional data. The Commission also noted that the EM trial in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector demonstrated the ability for orange roughy targeting to avoid the catch of dogfish, which could be a regulatory improvement for the GABTS.

Commissioners provided advice on areas for enhancement in the supporting documentation for when EM implementation in larger fisheries is considered. 

Coral Sea Fishery Sea Cucumber Sector Harvest Strategy 

The Commission adopted a new harvest strategy for the sea cucumber sector, covering updated species-specific and area-based catch triggers, changes to the rotational zone system and new minimum size limits. The Commission agreed that the new harvest strategy is fit-for-purpose given the low risk posed by the very low participation in the fishery, and the limited information to inform a more sophisticated strategy. 

Corporate Plan 

The Commission reviewed the draft AFMA Corporate Plan 2025-28 and Annual Operating Plan 2025–26. Commissioners noted that there will be a priority to establish a new Statement of Expectations under the regulatory performance framework as soon as possible once a new Minister is appointed. 

The Commission agreed to convene a facilitated workshop coinciding with its July 2025 meeting to review and update AFMA’s Risk Appetite Statement. 

Next meeting 

The Commission agreed that its next meeting would be held in Canberra on 15 and 16 July 2025. 

Helen Kroger
Chair