Education and working with tomorrow’s fisheries leaders is key to helping ensure that fish stocks are available for current and future generations to enjoy.
Over the last year, the Australian Fisheries Management (AFMA) has presented and hosted workshops to many upcoming fisheries managers both Australian and international.
The most recent of these was in October when AFMA’s Tod Spencer, Senior Manager for National Compliance Strategy, took the opportunity to present to 23 mid and senior level African fisheries professionals at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. This presentation formed part of an eight week program on Oceans Governance and Sustainable Fisheries delivered under the 2016 Australia Awards Scholarships program.
Mr Spencer’s presentation gave a specific insight into AFMA’s National Compliance and Enforcement Program. The aim of this program is to effectively deter illegal fishing in Commonwealth fisheries and the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).
Specifically topics covered both during the presentation and the QA session included, the delivery of compliance regime with limited funding resources and technology, the applications of the Commonwealth’s vessel monitoring system and electronic monitoring systems for African fishery vessels, privacy concerns around this and the very real issue of dealing with piracy present within African waters.
The Australia Awards scholarship program is part of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa, providing access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified African representatives from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards Alumni are expected to contribute actively to development in their home countries.
More information on AFMA’s work to ensure the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries, including through international capacity building can be found at afma.gov.au