Australian Fisheries Management Authority Information

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is the Australian Government agency responsible for the efficient management and sustainable use of Commonwealth fish resources on behalf of the Australian community. We manage and monitor commercial Commonwealth fishing to ensure Australian fish stocks and our fishing industry are viable now and in the future. By doing so, we are aiming to make sure that healthy and fresh local seafood is available and affordable to all Australians for current and future generations. For this to happen, we have strict fisheries management practices in place. We also have many programs to support our mission that are managed by experienced, qualified and passionate people. AFMA has offices in Canberra, Darwin, Thursday Island and Lakes Entrance. We look after commercial fisheries from three nautical miles out to the extent of the Australian Fishing Zone. The states and the Northern Territory look after recreational, commercial coastal and inland fishing and aquaculture. We provide fisheries management services to Joint Authorities of the Commonwealth and state governments, including the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). Through our foreign compliance functions, we work together with other Australian Government agencies and our international counterparts to deter illegal fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone.