The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is committed to assisting industry in improving handling practices of bycatch caught within Commonwealth fisheries. Late last year AFMA introduced a fishing concession condition enabling enforcement action to be taken against any operator not acting in accordance with bycatch handling requirements.
To help ensure fishers use best practice when handling bycatch, AFMA has recently published the Bycatch Handling and Treatment Guide 2016-17.
The purpose of the guide is to:
- assist fishers to operate within the provisions of their fishing concession, by outlining the correct handling and treatment of bycatch
- provide fishers with a guide on what is, and what is not acceptable when it comes to the treatment and handling of bycatch
- assist in the understanding of and response to show cause letters outlining alleged breaches of the fishing concession condition regarding bycatch handling and treatment.
The Bycatch Handling and Treatment Guide 2016-17 is available on afma.gov.au.
The majority of Commonwealth fishers already do the right thing. Adhering to best practice treatment of bycatch outlined in the Bycatch Handling and Treatment Guide will assist in assuring Australian seafood lovers that buying seafood from a Commonwealth managed fishery means they are making a sustainable choice.
If you have any questions regarding either the fishing concession condition or the guide please do not please contact tod.spencer@afma.gov.au.