Graph showing the success of the Show Cause Program — click for larger view of graph
The AFMA National Compliance team had a productive year in 2012-13.with the program focussing on issues such as quota evasion and balancing, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements, compliance with fisheries closures and interactions with protected species.
During the year AFMA officers attended some 24 different ports on 64 occasions. Our officers conducted 232 boat and 45 fish receiver inspections. We also undertook four at sea patrols during the year and took part in some 22 surveillance flights.
Our work to stop the number of fishers straying into closed areas has proven extremely successful with suspected unlawful entries reduced to an average of less than one a month (a three year low). The combination of data analysis obtained from AFMA’s electronic Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) coupled with show cause letters (where fishers have to explain why they were doing what they were doing inside closed areas, see graph above) and awareness/education programs has effectively changed behaviours and stopped fishers from doing the wrong thing.
Constant monitoring by AFMA and Zero Tolerance crackdown programs conducted in 2012-13 saw compliance rates with the requirement for vessels to have an operational VMS averaged around 97% for the year.
AFMA officers detected suspected offences through the year and issued 15 fines, 40 warnings or cautions and five operators had their rights to fish suspended.
AFMA fisheries officers also took part in court proceedings across Australia relating to more serious offences. These included allegations of failing to abide by catch limits, breaching navigational regulations, tampering with by catch reduction devices, fishing within closure areas and fishing on the high seas in foreign exclusive economic zones.
There were four matters concluded in 2012-13 with a number of convictions recorded along with fines totalling $13,000 and forfeiture of catch valued at almost $38,000.
Compliance with the rules is important in maintaining the integrity of the management arrangements, sustainability of the fisheries resources and the value of the fishing rights held by operators.
For more information, please contact Tod Spencer Senior Manager National Compliance Strategy on 02 6225 5312 or tod.spencer@afma.gov.au.
Suspect illegal fishing?
Call 1800 CRIMFISH (1800 274 634) or report online at our website.