69th AFMA Commission meeting - Chairman's summary
The Commission met for its 69th meeting in Canberra on 21 November 2019.
2020 southern bluefin tuna joint patrol
Fisheries officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Primary Industries & Regions South Australia (PIRSA) have conducted a joint ‘at sea’ operation to inspect Commonwealth fishing operators involved in the harvest and farming of southern bluefin tuna (SBT).
Meet the Observers – Sam
With a keen interest in fisheries and the outdoors, Sam Langholz was stoked to become an observer with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). Hear from Sam on life as an AFMA Observer and his experience seeing the Aurora Australis first-hand.
AFMA annual public meeting 2020
AFMA’s annual public meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 March 2020 in Canberra. This meeting gives stakeholders the opportunity to meet with AFMA Commissioners and discuss AFMA’s progress in pursuing effective management of Commonwealth fisheries.
Joint operation with QLD Water Police in the Torres Strait for the start of the Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery season
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Fisheries Officers based on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait have conducted a joint operation with Water Police Thursday Island (WPTI) focusing on marine safety and fisheries compliance within the Torres Strait through proactive engagement.
FAD Friday
Since 2016, 31 fish aggregating devices (FADs) were retrieved off the Australian coast, in a collaborative effort by the Maritime Border Command (MBC), Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Mr Wez Norris
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed from 8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029.
More about Wez Norris
Wez is a career fisheries professional, with 25 years’ experience working in numerous fisheries from small scale hand collectibles to prawn trawl and industrial tuna fisheries.
He was recently appointed for his second term as the Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, a role that he has filled since 2019.
Prior to taking up the CEO role, Wez worked in Queensland and in the Pacific, where he spent 5 years as the Deputy Director-General at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, in the Solomon Islands.
Wez’s focus is on organisational leadership of AFMA to ensure that Commonwealth fisheries management is fit-for-purpose in the changing marine and geopolitical environment to ensure the correct balance between sustainability and economic returns to the Australian community.
Wez has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Systems and Wildlife Management from the University of Queensland.
Ms Catherine Cooper
Deputy Chairperson
Reappointed for a 12 month term from 1 July 2022 to 30 November 2023.
More about Catherine Cooper
Catherine currently chairs the South Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee and Aquaculture Advisory Council.
Catherine is an industry leader and she was a finalist in both the 1997 and 1998 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She has extensive committee and board experience including as former Chair of the Fisheries Council of South Australia.