Interactions with protected species
An interaction is any physical contact a person, boat or gear has with a protected species including catching and colliding with any of these species.
The fishing industry may interact with protected species. All AFMA-managed fisheries have accreditation for interactions with protected species. Without this accreditation, fishing operators may be liable for prosecution for the capture of protected species.
As long as operators are fishing in accordance with the accredited fishery management arrangements it is not an offence to interact with a protected species. However, it is an offence for fishing operators not to report these interactions in their AFMA logbook.
To streamline the reporting process and reduce administrative burden on fishers, AFMA reports quarterly, interactions with protected species on behalf of Commonwealth fishing operators to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Download the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (763kb) between AFMA and the Department of Environment and Heritage allowing AFMA to report interactions with protected species on behalf of Commonwealth fishers.
AFMA-managed fisheries have accreditation for interactions with protected species under Part 13 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.