The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) regularly runs surveillance flights over trawl vessels to ensure that vessels were complying with their seabird management plans (SMP’s). In May 2012 two vessels were ordered back to port. The Association fully supports seabird management plans and will continue to work with member and non-member vessels to ensure they […]

Fears of a food crisis and violence were re-ignited internationally in August 2010 when the worst drought in 100 years destroyed a third of Russia’s grain crop, prompting the government to ban wheat exports. This move to protect domestic supplies and keep prices low encouraged the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to follow suit. Subsequently, typhoons hit […]

In December 2012 the Australian Government released the first ever national snapshot on the status of all major Australian commercial fish stocks. The report found that Australian fisheries are healthy and well managed. Only a tiny fraction of the 150 stocks reviewed were found to be “overfished”. The report was compiled by the Australian Bureau […]

Snapper is an iconic recreational species with around 550 tonnes caught annually by Victorian recreational fishermen. Fisheries in Australia are managed either by the State or the Commonwealth. In waters adjacent to Victoria, non-trawl caught snapper are managed by Victorian but snapper caught by trawlers are managed by the Commonwealth. South East Trawl (SET) vessels […]

22 August, 2011. For immediate release. South East Trawl fishermen have been recognised for their work in improving their performance while operating in the marine environment. Their work has been highly commended in the Excellence in Environmental Practice category at this year’s Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards. Simon Boag, the South East Trawl Fishing […]

14 June, 2012. For immediate release. Following Minister Burke’s announcement on the national network of marine parks including the new Jervis Bay marine park in southern NSW, SETFIA’s CEO Simon Boag commented: “There is already a network of 13 marine parks in south eastern Australia which combined with other fisheries closures have seen 85% of […]

12 July, 2012. For immediate release. SETFIA met with the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott yesterday at the Melbourne Seafood Centre (the Melbourne Fish Market). In a press conference that followed Mr Abbtot summarised the state of Australia’s fisheries perfectly. In response to a question about marine parks he stated, “Australia’s fisheries […]

11 December, 2012. For immediate release. Today the Australian Government released the first ever snapshot on the status of major Australian commercial fish stocks. The report found that Australian fisheries are healthy and well managed. Only a tiny fraction of the 150 stocks reviewed were found to be “overfished”. All Australians can now be assured […]

30th August, 2011. For immediate release. Orange roughy is managed in five zones in southern Australia. The eastern stock is located off the east coast of Tasmania. Targeted fishing for orange roughy is only permitted in one of these five zones, there is no targeted fishing in the eastern zone. CSIRO today released a report […]