Celebrating cooperation and collaboration on World Fisheries Day
Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries are some of the best managed fisheries in the world.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is committed to sustainably and responsibly managing our 22 Commonwealth fisheries and over 90 commercially important species including tuna, squid, flathead, gummy shark, tropical rock lobster, scallops, and prawns.
Safeguarding 8 million km2 of water that extends from three nautical miles out to the limit of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone, the world’s third largest national maritime domain, cannot be done without cooperation and collaboration.
On World Fisheries Day 2023, we would like to acknowledge and thank our Commonwealth operators, fisheries officers, at-sea observers, fisheries management staff, committee members, stakeholders, working group members and research partners for their contribution in managing and monitoring Commonwealth commercial fishing, to ensure Australian fish stocks and our fishing industry are viable now, and in the future.
AFMA’s CEO, Mr Wez Norris, said “Australia sets a great example on the global stage for fisheries management”.
“To achieve this, Commonwealth fisheries are managed collaboratively with our industry and research counterparts, ensuring fish stocks are sustainable and to reduce the impacts of commercial fishing. We remain dedicated to helping protect our marine environment from marine debris, including ghost nets.
“We are committed to protecting our industry by working in partnership with other Australian Government agencies and our international counterparts to detect and deter illegal foreign fishing activity in Australian waters through the delivery of fisheries enforcement patrols, capacity building programs with fisheries enforcement agencies, and education and awareness workshops with fishers and community members.
“Our work with our commercial fishers and research partners to understand current and future risks of climate change and its impact on our fisheries, is vitally important.
“We are committed to protecting the traditional way of life and livelihood of Torres Strait Traditional Inhabitants through sustainable fisheries,” said Mr Norris.
The Australian commercial fishing industry, including state and territory fisheries, employs more than 5,000 people and is worth over $1.75 billion to the Australian economy annually.