AFMA looks after all marine life caught when commercial fishing, including species that are caught for sale, caught accidentally, and protected species, such as seabirds, sharks, sea lions or dolphins. AFMA does this through:
- research and science; that provides the information to manage fisheries
- management and regulation; that develops and makes the rules for fisheries
- monitoring and enforcement; that enables us to respond if rules are broken.
Fisheries management rules often include; how much fish you can catch, what fishing gear you can use and where you can catch the fish. The rules aim to keep fish species, and the marine ecosystem as a whole, in good health into the future.
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Key activities in fisheries management
| Science & research | Management & regulation | Monitoring & enforcement |
|---|---|---|
| Making research plans | Updating fishery management plans | Using satellite monitoring systems |
| Working with scientists | Setting total allowable catch limits | Checking catch disposal records from receivers of fish |
| Running an observer program | Implementing harvest strategies | Building and maintaining international cooperation and partnerships |
| Using electronic systems – cameras & gear sensors | Implementing bycatch reduction measures | Using information from the observer program |
| Data collection on boats and on shore | Developing vessel management plans | Using electronic monitoring data |
| Undertaking assessments of fish stocks | Working with fishery stakeholders | Undertaking compliance risk assessments |
| Conducting ecological risk assessments | Implementing ecological risk management strategies | Undertaking investigations and prosecutions |
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To achieve our goal, we work together with other Australian and state/territory government agencies, our international counterparts, industry, scientists, recreational and environmental fishery stakeholders.
More information on the management of specific fisheries can be found at Fisheries.