AFMA Fisheries Officer inspecting a vessel at port
AFMA has launched the 2013-14 National Compliance Program, which will focus on quota evasion and vessel monitoring system (VMS) compliance.
Quota evasion comes in many forms: fish receiver fraud, declaration/reporting and substitution/concealment, all of which simply amount to stealing. During 2013/14, AFMA will conduct a range of targeted programs as well as being on hand during field inspections to ensure operators have their documents correctly completed.
VMS is compulsory for all Commonwealth fishing boats and as a part of the new program, we will be conducting daily real time monitoring of the entire fleet. Operators will still need to make sure that their VMS unit is functioning correctly at all times, unless they have a Temporary Switch Off approval. Remember – ‘Fail to report – end up in port”.
Our general deterrence program will still continue, with officers inspecting boats and fish receivers on a regular basis.
Click here to find out more information on our compliance program and access our National Compliance and Enforcement Program 2013-14 document.
For more information, please contact Tod Spencer Senior Manager National Compliance Strategy on 02 6225 5312 or tod.spencer@afma.gov.au.