As a country surrounded by water, it is no surprise that Australians have a close relationship with the ocean,
Artist Solomon Charlie with ghost net arwork titled Crayfish
and there has never been a better time to celebrate all that oceans bring to the Australian way of life, including great tasting Australian seafood, than today, World Oceans Day.
The theme this year, Our Oceans, Our Future, strongly aligns with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority’s (AFMA) approach to fisheries management, whereby science based decisions implemented through strict decision making, aim to ensure a healthy supply of Australian seafood for current and future generations to enjoy.
Moreover, AFMA also works with industry, scientists, the environmental sector and other government agencies to help ensure healthier oceans. This work includes educating about the harmful impacts of abandoned fishing gear, and its retrieval.
“To help highlight the seriousness that marine debris has on the environment, AFMA recently commissioned four Indigenous artists to turn retrieved ghost nets (abandoned fishing nets) into works of art,” AFMA’s CEO Dr James Findlay said.
“Unfortunately, ghost nets often drift into Australia’s northern waters from foreign fishing operations further north.
“Through this work, AFMA is hoping to raise awareness about this serious issue and more broadly, the harmful impacts of marine pollution on our oceans.
“AFMA works tirelessly to help ensure that the shared resource that is the ocean, can continue to be enjoyed by all.
“I encourage all Australians, on today, World Oceans Day, to celebrate this wonderful resource, and everything it offers, including delicious tasting, sustainably managed seafood.”
More information on Commonwealth fisheries management can be found at afma.gov.au, or check out our Facebook page to see photos of the ghost net artwork.