By Dr James Findlay, CEO AFMA. As Commonwealth fishers understand very well, AFMA undertakes cost recovery for expenses incurred as a direct result of management of commercial fishing. While demands on both industry and AFMA continue to rise, AFMA made a commitment to industry to keep a lid on costs. This included keeping the total […]

The Commonwealth Fisheries Association (CFA), with the support of industry around Australia, has lodged a nomination with the Department of Sustainability, the Environment, Water, Population and Communities for marine seismic survey activities as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. There is growing evidence that seismic surveys cause damage to […]

15 March 2013. For immediate release. Today is Sustainable Seafood Day Australia 2013. It is a day to celebrate sustainable seafood, fisheries and retailers. It is about explaining to seafood lovers how their choice of Australian seafood makes positive difference in the world’s oceans. The South East Trawl Fishery runs from Barranjoey Point, north of […]

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Community (SEWPaC), the Hon. Tony Burke has declared the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery to be an approved Wildlife Trade Operation (“WTO”). This is valid until the 25th of February 2016. There are a series of standard conditions that requiring the Australian Fisheries Management Authority […]

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has undertaken an independent performance audit of the effectiveness of AFMA’s administration of their domestic fishing compliance program. The report noted that 320 Commonwealth licensed vessels land in 75 ports around Australia. In 2011-12 the compliance program conducted 222 vessel and fish receiver inspections with 32% of vessels inspected […]

A live 1kg leopard shark dropped from the sky in Southern California recently. A course marshal saw something moving around on the tee and went to investigate and found the small shark. The marshal put the shark in his golf cart and drove it back to the clubhouse. The marshal wanted to help the shark, […]

South East Trawl vessel Lady Cheryl hit Corsair Rock at Port Phillip Heads near Point Nepean at approximately 1:00am on Saturday 24 March 2012. The vessel is 27m long and weighs around 157 tonnes. The six crew were rescued by Port Phillip Sea Pilots. The exact nature and cause of the incident is under investigation. […]

ABC2’s “Travel Oz” show went to sea on the Danish Seine vessel Nungurner. Nungurner is a SETFIA member and is crewed by Father and Son team Wayne and Ryan Cheers. Wayne is also a SETFIA Director.  Click here to see a short video of their trip and make your own decision on who the Skipper […]