This is a joint media release between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

This is a joint media release between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF).

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has announced the Management and Research Levy rates for 2024–25 and due dates for payment.Commonwealth fisheries concession owners pay the annual levy to cover the costs associated with managing and ensuring the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries in which they own fishing concessions. Levy rates have gone down this financial year in 3 fisheries and one sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF). The rates have increased in the other 11 fisheries and 2 sectors of the SESSF.

Sixteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing within Australian waters in two separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 26 November 2024. The vessels were targeting sea cucumber, a highly prized delicacy commonly sold in Asian markets.

This is a media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). 

Two commercial fishers pleaded guilty at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 5 December 2024 to an illegal catch of more than 20 times the allowable limit for snapper. 

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) would like to remind Commonwealth operators to ensure that their Vessel Monitoring System remains operational over the holiday season. Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) help us to monitor a vessel’s position, course and speed to ensure compliance with fisheries management arrangements. All Commonwealth fishing operators are required to have a vessel monitoring unit fitted and always operational. Vessels with VMS which are not reporting may be ordered to stop fishing and return to port. 

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) will be closed during our end-of-year office shutdown period from close of business on Tuesday, 24 December 2024. Our services return on Thursday, 2 January 2025. During this time, any urgent enquiries should be directed to the AFMA Duty Officer on 02 6275 5818. If your matter is not urgent, please contact us from Thursday, 2 January 2025.