The Commission met in Canberra on 16 August 2016. While in Canberra, Commissioners met with senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to discuss a range of fisheries matters including domestic policy developments.
Key decisions taken by the Commission at its meeting included:
- Management Advisory Committee Appointments
Commissioners appointed new members to the South East Management Advisory Committee, the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery Management Advisory Committee, and the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Advisory Committee following the expiry of their three year terms of appointment; appointed an Environment/Conservation Member to the Northern Prawn Fishery Management Advisory Committee; temporarily appointed an Australian Antarctic Division member to the Sub-Antarctic Fishery Management Advisory Committee; and extended the current Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Management Advisory Committee Environment/Conservation Member’s appointment.
- Revision of AFMA’s Risk Management Policy and Risk Management Framework
Commissioners requested AFMA Management to undertake further consideration of AFMA’s risk management policy to provide a clearer structure, process and outcomes for dealing with institutional and fishery management risks and responsibilities.
- Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery – Overcatch and Undercatch Limits
Having previously determined the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Total Allowable Commercial Catch levels for three fishing seasons – 2015-16; 2016-17; and 2017-18 inclusive – the Commission also determined the associated overcatch and undercatch provisions for the 2016-17 season.
The Commission also discussed the outcomes of recent management advisory committee and resource assessment group meetings; AFMA’s communications and social media strategies; AFMA’s application and measurement of social objectives as part of its management of its ecologically sustainable development objectives; and the future effectiveness of industry-led initiatives to promote autonomous adjustment in the Northern Prawn Fishery.
Norman Moore
Chairman
September 2016