News and media

In a first for Commonwealth fisheries, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has delegated legislative functions to industry as part of the co-management of the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF). In a step that represents additional trust in the existing co-management arrangements, the NPF Industry Pty Ltd (NPFI) can now approve the distribution of fishery data and respond to data requests relating to the fishery.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is reviewing the Upper-Slope Dogfish Management Strategy (the Strategy) and seeking your comments to inform this review.

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World Fisheries Day is celebrated on 21^st of November each year, highlighting the importance of maintaining the world's fisheries.

Media release from the Australian Border Force

An unlicensed fish receiver operating in the Torres Strait, was convicted in the Thursday Island Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 13 October 2020, for offences identified in late 2019. The man was found in illegal possession of 41.3 kilograms of processed sea cucumbers (also known as beche de mer) and operating an unlicensed fish receiving operation in the Torres Strait Protected Zone (TSPZ).

Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) help the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to monitor vessel position, course and speed of all 300+ Commonwealth fishing vessels. This helps to ensure that operators are complying with the rules and regulations for fishing in Australian waters.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has extended the application deadline for the upcoming vacant Chair position on the Scallop Management Advisory Committees (ScallopMAC) until Friday 6 November 2020.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has amended the list of approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) unit types for use on Commonwealth nominated fishing vessels.