A healthy marine environment is fundamental to sustainable fisheries, this means managing the impact of fishing is a pivotal part of fisheries management. In line with this, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is committed to improving handling practices for bycatch species caught during fishing operations.
To further ensure that fishers use best practice when handling bycatch, AFMA has recently introduced an additional condition to re-inforce the need for fishers to correctly handle bycatch. The condition will allow for enforcement action to be taken against any operator not acting in accordance with bycatch handling requirements.
To assist fishers AFMA, working with industry, has begun rolling out a comprehensive education program that will continue over the coming months. The program aims to educate fishers on appropriate ways to handle bycatch, in line with best practice guidelines and AFMA’s six bycatch handling principles.
AFMA will be monitoring compliance with the handling condition on their fishing concessions. Failure to comply with the condition may result in compliance action including; fines and/or suspension of fishing concessions.
The majority of Commonwealth fishers already do the right thing and Australian seafood lovers can be assured that buying seafood from a Commonwealth managed fishery means they are making a sustainable choice.
Better bycatch handling is just one part of AFMA’s approach to ensure we have sustainable fisheries supplying health and delicious seafood. For more information on how AFMA works to minimise bycatch visit afma.gov.au.