Amendments to the Fisheries Management (International Agreements) Regulations 2009 (the Regulations) have taken effect as of 29 February 2016, through the Fisheries Management (International Agreements) Amendment (Other 2014 Measures) Regulation 2016.
To ensure the sustainable management of shared resources within our region, Australia works with other countries to manage stocks through active participation in regional fisheries management organisations.
These organisations meet annually and adopt measures that manage the shared fisheries resources and conserve ecosystems and non-target species impacted by fishing activities under their jurisdiction.
As a member, Australia must ensure that our commercial vessels and Australian nationals operating on foreign flagged vessels comply with the adopted measures. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) gives effect to these measures via the Regulations, made under the Fisheries Management Act 1991, and through conditions on Australian fishing concessions that apply in areas of waters subject to the rules of the regional organisation.
AFMA updates the Regulations and conditions regularly to ensure that they are consistent with decisions made by the regional organisations.
By putting in practice the decisions made by regional fisheries organisations, AFMA enhances its capacity to work with other countries to combat illegal fishing and demonstrates our commitment to deter and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
A copy of the regulations can be found on the ComLaw website at www.comlaw.gov.au.
For more information, contact Jim Neely, Manager, Foreign Compliance Policy on 6225 5463 or Jim.neely@afma.gov.au