Media release
Whilst most Commonwealth fishers do the right thing there are some that don’t and rob the Australian community of valuable resources threatening the sustainability of our fisheries. To help raise awareness of the consequences of illegal fishing, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has released a video featuring ‘Fisherman Jack’. The video can be found at afma.gov.au
Fisherman Jack is breaking the law and stealing our resources. AFMA has a strict compliance regime to help ensure that the ‘Jacks’ of the world are caught and prosecuted.
This includes monitoring the location of all Commonwealth fishing vessels by satellite 24/7, 365 days a year; Commonwealth fisheries being subject to an on-going independent observer program (or electronic monitoring with cameras); and log books to ensure that catches, including any bycatch or discards are accurately recorded and monitored.
“Illegal fishing jeopardises the very rules and regulations we have in place to ensure that current and future generations have a healthy supply of Australian seafood,” AFMA’s General Manager of Fisheries Operations, Mr Peter Venslovas said.
“It is important that if you suspect illegal fishing or black market fish supply that you report it.
“Help AFMA close the net on illegal fishing and stop the fishers like Jack from stealing our resources.”
Suspected illegal and suspicious activity can be reported in three ways: online, calling the 24 hour CRIMFISH hotline 1800 CRIMFISH (1800 274 634), or emailing intel@afma.gov.au.
AFMA manages approximately nine million square kilometres of water in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ). For more information on our sustainable fisheries management, visit afma.gov.au.