The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) commends Commonwealth fishers for giving our marine resources a great early Christmas gift, a year with zero breaches for fishing in closed areas.
Closed areas are off limits for a variety of reasons such as, protecting fragile ecosystems and particular species’ or restricting fishing at particular times of the year to allow for spawning. Currently there are 129 individual closed areas across Commonwealth fisheries.
AFMA monitors all closed areas using the compulsory vessel monitoring system (VMS). When breaches of closures are detected, AFMA sends a ‘show cause’ letter to the fisher asking to provide an explanation for the suspected breach. This approach along with ongoing education by AFMA’s Fisheries Officers has resulted in a 95 per cent reduction in the number of suspected incidents since 2010.
AFMA’s General Manager of Operations Peter Venslovas congratulated industry on this result.
“It is great to hear the news all of the 300 plus Commonwealth commercial fishing fleet have abided by fishery closures during the last 12 months,’ Mr Venslovas said.
“Even more pleasing is that no vessels have even been suspected of operating in a closed area for over eight months.
“It demonstrates both the success of AFMA’s education activities, and the will and commitment of individuals to abide by the fishing and rules and regulations.”
Compliance with closures is a requirement of all Commonwealth fishing concessions. Closed areas for each fishery are detailed within the respective Management Arrangement booklets. Any operators who feel they may have entered a closure area inadvertently should contact the AFMA duty officer on 0419 205 329.